My head still buzzed with the whirlwind of last night's revelations and this morning's complications. As I zipped my bag, my mom walked into my room.
"Mom, I've got to go," I said, not meeting her eyes.
"I wanted to check on you," she replied softly, her voice tinged with concern. "I left you alone to mourn Shelia's death."
The mention of Grams hit me like a punch to the gut. I flinched, the sadness welling up in my chest. "I'm fine," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"But you need to keep your promise when Bonnie comes back," she reminded me gently.
"I will," I assured her, trying to keep my emotions in check.
"I told Bonnie she's welcome over any time. We have room. Plus, most of the coven decided to move into the houses throughout the land."
I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions at her words. "Is this because you care or because my ascension is coming up?" I asked, unable to keep the edge out of my voice.
Her eyes softened as she walked further into my room. "Both. Your role as Queen will start once you graduate. Having a Bennett witch on your side will help with the weight being a queen can cause."
"The coven won't follow me, Mamá," I said, my voice cracking with uncertainty.
She frowned, tilting her head slightly. "What makes you say that?"
"I'm not a Hastings. I mean, not really. I'm the child you adopted."
"Do you know that the original queen wasn't a Hastings?" she asked, her tone gentle yet firm.
I shook my head, frowning. "No."
"Her last name was Petrova. Anastasia Petrova."
"Anastasia?" I repeated, the name sounding both foreign and familiar.
"Just like your middle name," she said, tenderly brushing back the wisps of my hair.
"But Seraphina..." I started, confusion swirling in my mind.
