owing softly in her lap. The silver light emitting from the page pulsed like a heartbeat, alongside the crescent mark on her wrist. "Why now?" she whispered aloud, her voice barely aud

ind them. "I've known for weeks that something was different," she said taking out dried herbs from a high shelf and dropping them in a bowl. "The trees have stopped speaking. The air is too quiet. And the moon... she weeps at night". Aerin folded her arms. "Okay now. I mean no offense but you sound like my journal". Mara turned to her slowly. "Ohh, you found it?" Aerin nodded but she found it strange that Mara knew about the journal despite not disclosing it to her. "I... didn't know it possessed magic or something. It just showed up on my doorstep." "And the mark? " Mara asked, already aware of the answer. Already speechless, Aerin rolled up her sleeve. "You're Teresa's reborn", she said quietly. "I knew it the moment I saw you, but I wasn't quite sure". "Then why didn't you say something before?" Aerin asked in a frustrated tone. " All these months, you've been bringing me tea, and you never saw it important to tell me that I was a reincarnation of some ancient witch?" Mara sighed softly, "Rebirth is delicate, love. If I had spoken too soon, you might have broken before your soul had a chance to remember. You had to experience it naturally". Aerin shook her head. "I'm not ready for any of this. I don't feel strong. I feel like... like I'm falling apart". "You're not baby. You're on the right track. It takes sometime. Power doesn't just come that way ". There was a wave of silence between them for a moment. "Kyre came to me". Aerin said breaking the silence. "Last night. In my dream. And then... in my room. I think he's real now". Mara's breath caught. "He's cursed. It's getting stronger. And you're the only one who can help him". "He said that too. He said that Maeron is getting close and that the curse is worsening with every passing day". Mara turned away, busying her hands with a bundle of herbs. " Then you need to go to the Whispering Stones". "The what now? Oh God, I've heard so many strange things today". "It's a place in the forest, older than Velgrave. Than Maeron's vengeance and the curse too. In that place, magic speaks truth." Aerin's heart skipped. " Will it help me understand? And is it safe?" she asked curiously. "Yes and no" "Meaning? I don't understand. Speak clearly please." " Yes it'll help you understand but I can't assure you if safety but I know you won't be harmed. It will just help you remember. Whether you can handle it... Is what I don't know of. You just have to be strong". "Alright then" Aerin muttered in a tone mixed with fear, uncertainty and desperation. Aerin stood at the forest's edge by dusk. The journal was placed under her arm. A small pouch of herbs Mara had given her was tied to her waist. It contained protective charms, lavender and other herbs. "This is insane" she whispered to herself. "What am I even doing here? I should be at home reading books or resting, not walking into a cursed wood guided by some journal and crazy dreams". But she continued moving. As she walked, the trees murmured