My heart pounded, not from fear, but from the deepening realization that I was no longer just a scared witch caught in something too big—I was a force to be reckoned with, capable of wielding unexpected and devastating power. The fear was still there, a cold knot in my stomach, but it was overshadowed by a fierce, burgeoning power, a drive to protect, to fight. The world felt sharper, more vibrant, and I felt more connected to it than ever before, both through my Earth magic and this new, mysterious lunar echo.
We found a brief reprieve behind a cluster of ancient oaks, their thick trunks offering a momentary shield from the swirling chaos.
Vernon’s quiet smile, usually so subtle, softened into something more sincere as he looked at me, his gaze full of a profound admiration that made m
