CATRIONA

I stepped further into Vanessa’s room, the heavy scent of crushed herbs stinging my nose. I sneezed the moment I got too close to the table she was working on.

She gave me a small, guilty smile.

I sat beside her slowly, watching her wrap a dried root into a thin piece of cloth. “What did you just say?” I asked, voice quieter now. “You mean… they visited you too?”

Vanessa gave a slow nod.

My stomach sank. “Did they give you a reason?”

She shook her head. “No. Just a warning. That was it. Cold. Final.”

I leaned back, closed my eyes for a second, trying to collect...