The next morning dawned grey and cool, the sky overcast with clouds that promised rain. They ate a quick breakfast, blood for the vampires and meat for the wolves, and loaded back into the truck.
The road wound higher into the mountains, the trees growing thicker, the air growing colder. The rain started around mid-morning, pattering against the windshield in a steady rhythm.
Shane broke the silence, his voice soft.
"I can sense something. Up ahead. It feels... different."
Timothy's hands tightened on the wheel. "That's probably Tanesab."
Sebastian leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "We're close."
"Close-ish," Zachary said. "Elijah said the village is another few hours past the mountain pass."
Sebastian's jaw tightened. He wanted to push the truck faster, to close the distance. But he knew they couldn't afford to be reckless.
The rain fell harder, the road growing slick beneath the tires. Timothy slowed, his focus sharp.
"We'll stop at the pass," Timothy said. "Wait for the rain to ease up."
Sebastian wanted to argue, but he knew better. He settled back in his seat, the bond in his chest burning with impatience.
Lucas was so close. He could feel it.
The rain had finally begun to ease as they wound through the final stretch of the mountain pass.
The clouds parted just enough to let slivers of pale sunlight through, illuminating the lush valley that stretched before them.
The road had widened, the dirt giving way to packed gravel, and the trees had thinned to reveal open fields dotted with wildflowers.
Sebastian leaned forward, his eyes scanning the horizon. "How much further?"
Zachary, who had been quiet since the encounter with the Cadillac, glanced up. "Not far. Elijah said the entrance is just past that ridge.
The trees will open up, and there's a…" He stopped, his voice catching.
"A what?" Shane prompted.
"A gate," Zachary finished, his voice barely above a whisper. "There's a gate made of iron. Elijah said it's been there for centuries."
Timothy guided the truck around the ridge, and the valley opened up before them.
It was beautiful, lush, and green, dotted with cottages that seemed to have grown from the earth itself. Smoke curled from chimneys, and the distant sound of laughter drifted through the air.
But at the entrance to the village, blocking the path, was a gate.
Tall and wrought iron, its bars twisted into intricate patterns of vines and flowers. And standing beside it, her hand resting on the latch, was the same woman from the mountain pass.
The same floral dress. The same silver-streaked hair. The same warm, knowing smile.
Shane's jaw dropped. "You have got to be kidding me."
Timothy slowed the truck to a stop, his eyes fixed on the woman.
Aida's grin widened as they came to a halt. She pushed the gate open with an effortless flick of her wrist, then leaned against it casually, like she'd been waiting for them all along.
"Hey, boys," she called out, her voice dripping with playful amusement.
"Fancy meeting you here."
Shane stared at her, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.
"You—you were—the car—"
"Stuck?" Aida finished, her grin turning almost mischievous.
"Oh, darling, that car runs perfectly. I just wanted to see what kind of people you were." She winked. "Consider it a test. You passed, by the way."
"You tested us?" Shane's voice cracked. "We pushed your car out of the mud! In the rain!"
"And you did it without complaining," Aida said, nodding approvingly.
"Well, mostly without complaining. I heard a few muttered words, but I'll let those slide."
Timothy's expression was flat. "You could have just let us through."
"Where's the fun in that?" Aida's eyes sparkled.
"Besides, I've been stuck in that Cadillac for centuries. I needed a bit of entertainment."
Casper, who had been observing silently, spoke up. "You knew we were coming."
"Of course I knew." Aida stepped away from the gate, gesturing for them to enter.
"Zachary's been talking about visiting Elijah for years. And when word reached me that a certain vampire was finally making his way here…" Her gaze landed on Sebastian, sharp and knowing.
"Well, I had to see for myself."
Zachary, who had been hovering nervously near the truck, finally found his voice. "Aida. It's…it's good to see you."
Aida's expression softened. "Zachary. Look at you. You've grown." She stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. "Elijah will be so happy to see you. He talks about you constantly."
Zachary's eyes glistened. "He does?"
"He does. It's rather annoying, actually." Aida grinned, pulling back. "But we love him anyway."
Shane, still processing, finally climbed out of the truck. "Okay, wait. So you're a witch, right? And you just…you just hang out at the entrance of villages, pretending to be a helpless old lady?"
"I prefer the term strategic observer," Aida said, her tone light.
"And yes, I'm a witch. But I'm not like the others. I don't do covens, I don't do traditions, and I definitely don't do skinning vampires alive." She glanced at Sebastian. "You're safe with me, vampire."
Sebastian's hand relaxed from where it had been hovering near his dagger. "Good to know."
Timothy stepped forward, his voice cautious but polite. "We appreciate your hospitality, Aida. But we're here for a reason. We need to see Lucas."
Aida's playful demeanor softened slightly. "I know. And you will. But first, the Chieftain wants to meet you." She turned, gesturing for them to follow. "Come along. I'll take you to her."
As they walked through the gate, Shane fell into step beside Casper. "Is it just me, or is this whole situation getting weirder?"
"Define weirder," Casper said dryly.
"Witches playing helpless old ladies. Village chiefs. Mysterious gates. This is like something out of a storybook."
"Sebastian is a writer. He'll probably turn it into one."
Shane snorted. "He'd better. I want to be in it. The handsome wolf who saved the day."
"You haven't saved anything yet."
"Details."
Aida led them down a winding path, past gardens bursting with color and cottages with doors left open.
The air was warm and fragrant, carrying the scent of flowers and fresh bread. A few villagers waved at Aida as they passed, and she returned the gestures with casual familiarity.
At the first hut they'd seen, a small and cozy one with a thatched roof and a porch covered in potted plants, Aida stopped.
"We're here," she announced.
The door opened before she could knock, and a tall woman stepped out. She had dark skin and sharp cheekbones, her hair cropped short in a practical style.
Her eyes were a brilliant shade of amber that seemed to glow in the afternoon light.
She wore simple clothes, but there was an undeniable presence to her, a quiet authority that made the air around her feel heavier.
"Chieftain Marissa," Aida said, her voice warm. "I've brought them."
The chieftain's gaze swept over the group, assessing each of them in turn. When her eyes landed on Zachary, they softened. "Zachary, you finally came by. Elijah would be delighted to see you."
Zachary's voice was barely a whisper. "Yeah, it's been a while."
The chieftain's lips twitched. "I told him the moment you crossed into the valley. He's been pacing ever since."
Before Zachary could respond, the door swung open wider, and a man appeared.
He was tall and lean, with dark hair and the kind of tired, gentle eyes that spoke of someone who had seen too much but still chose kindness.
His face broke into a wide grin when he saw Zachary.
"Zach!" Elijah rushed forward, pulling his brother into a fierce embrace. "You came. I can't believe you actually came."
Zachary clung to him, his face buried in his brother's shoulder. "I told you I would. I told you I'd visit."
"I know. I just can't believe that you are actually here." Elijah pulled back, his eyes glistening.
A woman appeared in the doorway beside Elijah, small and round, with warm brown eyes and a gentle smile. She wore a simple dress, her dark hair braided back from her face.
There was something calming about her presence, something that made the tension in Sebastian's shoulders ease, if only slightly.
"And you must be Mara?" Sebastian asked. Every inch of hair on his body stood up as he felt the unwavering, invisible power of a witch.
Mara nodded, her smile soft. "I am indeed, and you are?"
"Sebastian Reed," the vampire introduced. There's a bit of restraint in his voice, making Mara smile at him rather sweetly.
"Ah, the one Lucas never stops talking about." She stepped forward, her eyes kind. "He's been expecting you. He doesn't know you're here yet…I thought it best to let him prepare himself. But he knows you're coming."
Sebastian's voice cracked. "Can I see him?"
Mara glanced at the chieftain, who nodded once. "Go. He's at the house on the edge of the village near the sea. You can't miss it."
Sebastian turned to leave, but Aida's voice stopped him.
"Sebastian."
He looked back.
Aida's playful demeanor had vanished, replaced by something deeper. "He's happy here. He's found peace. Whatever happens between you, whatever he decides, remember that." She paused.
"And be gentle with him. He's been through enough."
Sebastian nodded, his throat too tight for words.
Then he turned and walked toward the center of the village, the bond in his chest pulsing with every step.