THE PROPHECY CHILD

CHAPTER 7: Betty's Identity

"No… no… no! How did she get to the flower?!" Latesha’s voice thundered through the chamber, echoing off the cold stone walls like a war drum. Her eyes blazed with fury, her breath ragged with disbelief. The temperature dropped as her rage flooded the room.

Anastasia collapsed to her knees, her head bowed, her whole body trembling. “Your Highness… I-I’m sorry. I was careless. I never saw it coming. I don’t know what took her into the room that day. For fifteen years, she obeyed every word I said. I don’t know what changed.”

Latesha’s nails dug into the armrest of her obsidian throne. Her eyes glowed a dangerous crimson. “The prophecy is stirring. We must crush it before it takes root,” she growled.

Tobi stepped forward, careful not to meet her gaze. “The child—Clara—must be found. Immediately.”

Latesha turned her fire-filled stare to Anastasia. “Where is she now?”

“I… I don’t know,” Anastasia whispered, her voice barely audible. “She disappeared. Vanished. I tried to trace her, but… she’s cloaked now. Her power shields her.”

Latesha’s silence was more terrifying than her wrath. Finally, she spoke, low and lethal. “I will spare you—this once. But fail me again, Anna… and I will rip your head from your cursed shoulders.”

The Queen turned in a whirl of black silk and stormed from the room. “Send my demon horde. Hunt her. Before she learns who she truly is.”

Anastasia exhaled shakily, her human form dissolving. Her true self emerged—no less beautiful, but undeniably otherworldly. Her pale skin shimmered faintly, and her eyes carried the weight of centuries. She had once been powerful. Now, she was just afraid.

---

Danielle was mid-sentence, her voice cracking with tension. “Eric… I didn’t mean to tell you everything. It wasn’t even my story to tell.”

Eric’s eyes were wide, struggling to take it all in. His head spun with everything Danielle had shared about Clara—no, Claudia.

As if summoned by the tension, Clara walked in.

Both of them stiffened.

Clara’s gaze was sharp, unblinking. “Save the act. I know you’ve told him,” she said, her voice low, tight with frustration.

Danielle scrambled for words. “Claudia, I—Eric is the only person I trust in this school. I… I thought he could help us. I swear, our secret is safe.”

Clara’s glare cut through her. “You also don’t hide people’s secrets, do you?” she snapped, her voice dripping with betrayal. She turned and walked away without another word.

Across the class, Betty’s eyes lit up. She had been waiting.

“Hey, you,” she smirked, grabbing Clara’s arm with a jerk.

“Get off me, Betty!” Clara barked, yanking her arm away.

“Claudia,” Betty said again, this time softer, almost mockingly. Clara turned—and that was when Betty struck. Her eyes shimmered with a deep red hue. She tried to use her power—to choke Clara, lift her off the ground.

But nothing happened.

Clara didn’t flinch. Her eyes locked onto Betty’s like twin blades. Her expression—cold, defiant.

Then suddenly, a reversal.

Betty began to rise off the ground. Her smirk twisted into horror.

“What—what is this?!” she gasped, her hands clawing at the air.

Clara was frozen in confusion. She could feel something surging inside her, like lightning trapped under her skin. She wasn’t trying to lift Betty… but she wasn’t stopping it either.

Just as footsteps echoed down the hall, Clara blinked and turned her gaze away.

Betty crashed to the floor with a heavy thud and went limp.

Clara’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her heart thundering. She didn’t understand what had just happened—but she liked the power she had felt.

The principal entered seconds later, gasping as she rushed to Betty’s unconscious body. “Get her to the clinic!”

---

In the clinic, Betty stirred, holding her head dramatically.

“Betty, what happened?” the teacher asked, eyes wide with concern.

Betty’s voice was low and venomous. “It was Claudia. She’s a witch. She lifted me into the air without touching me. And when she heard footsteps, she ran.”

The teacher blinked. “A witch?” she repeated, unsure whether to laugh or be horrified.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m not lying,” Betty insisted, squeezing out a tear.

---

Meanwhile, Danielle fidgeted at her desk.

“Danielle,” Eric said softly, “I think you owe Claudia an apology.”

“I know. I just—I’ve never seen her so angry before,” Danielle admitted.

She found Clara alone, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

“Claudia?”

Clara jumped slightly. “You startled me.”

Danielle approached, hesitant. “I wanted to say sorry. I shouldn’t have told Eric without your permission. Even though I trust him… that wasn’t my decision to make.”

Clara let out a long sigh. “It’s fine. I overreacted too. It’s just… everything’s moving too fast.”

Danielle offered a small smile. “Eric knows a lot about ancient lore. He might actually be useful.”

Clara nodded just as a teacher entered.

“Miss Martins, the principal wants to see you.”

Danielle’s eyes widened. “What did you do?”

Clara’s stomach twisted with dread. She made her way to the office, where Betty and Mr. Martin were waiting.

The principal’s expression was stony. “Claudia, Betty claims you used magic to harm her. Is it true?”

Clara blinked. “What?”

Betty sat with a bandage on her head, face etched in false pain. “She lifted me into the air and threw me. She’s not normal, ma’am.”

The principal turned back to Clara. “Admit it now, and you’ll be suspended. Deny it and get expelled when the truth comes out.”

Clara swallowed the lump in her throat. She turned to Mr. Martin. “Sir, thank you—for everything. But I won’t confess to a lie. If you want to expel me, do it. I’ll pay back every cent.”

She left the room before they could see the tears in her eyes.

---

Clara entered the classroom with her jaw set. She grabbed her bag.

Danielle was immediately at her side. “Claudia? What’s going on?”

“I’ve been expelled.”

Danielle froze. “What?!”

Clara gave a tight smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

“No, you won’t! Where will you go? You’re not safe!” Danielle cried.

“I’m going to follow the map. Finish my mission. And if they come asking about me—pretend we never met.”

Danielle’s voice trembled. “No. I’m going with you.”

Clara turned to her, her expression hard. “This isn’t a movie, Danielle. This is real. People die.”

“I know that! But the world’s dangerous either way. I’d rather face it with you than sit and do nothing.”

Clara’s defenses cracked. “Fine,” she whispered. “But first—we get your things.”

And with that, the journey began anew. Together.