Astella's POV

The moment we left the room where Dre’s mother had sealed her promise to protect Emerald, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of unease settle in my chest. While the spell to safeguard Emerald would shield her from immediate harm, the idea of binding her future to the witches left me restless. I glanced at Thane, his expression set in stone, as if he were already preparing himself for the battles ahead.

The air outside the coven’s meeting chamber was heavy with tension, and I trailed behind the group as we walked toward the witches’ ceremonial grounds. The silence was deafening until Dre finally spoke, his voice...