"Young love tends to be based on nothing but feelings. The couple has not yet faced and overcome a challenge or difficulty together. They are passionate about each other. They think about each other constantly and want to spend all their time"
Isaac...
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After finding Ava and the others, they all headed straight to the loft, knowing they needed to regroup and make sense of everything. When they arrived, only Deaton and Chris were there. James had vanished, leaving behind an uneasy silence.
The moment Ava walked in with the others, Deaton rushed toward her. Chris followed close behind, but Ava went straight to Deaton, pulling him into a tight hug, leaving Chris standing awkwardly to the side.
"I knew you'd help..." Ava murmured, pulling away slowly. Then she caught the worry etched deep in Deaton's face. "What is it?"
Deaton's voice was heavy. "That was all James. Ava... he's up to no good. He cast a spell—one that stopped their hearts."
Her breath caught. "That's why I couldn't do the spell I was trying... you were practically dead."
Deaton nodded grimly. "I don't know the full story. There are two sides to it. What I've pieced together is this: James went to Jennifer, knowing she'd want revenge on the alpha pack—and that they'd come after Derek. He promised to help her take them down, as long as she helped him complete his ritual. In return, he said he'd give her the strength to put Kali down. But Jennifer had other plans. She took you instead—knowing James would never kill you."
Ava frowned. "I know that. But why would she do that?"
Deaton shrugged, frustration clear in his voice. "Whatever James was trying to raise wasn't safe. Jennifer knew that, I think. Either way, James got what he wanted—he completed the ritual by basically killing the three of them. He tricked you into thinking he was helping, but really... he just made sure he wasn't the villain in the story."
Angie stepped forward, her voice tight with regret. "Wait—so everything we did to find them... that actually helped him complete his ritual?"
"Yes," Deaton said. "Jennifer's decision to take you instead of Derek was smart, but James was smarter. He used your burn ability to finish what he wanted. What exactly that is? I don't know. But I'm certain we're about to find out." He glanced at Angie, who immediately turned to her mom, fear in her eyes.
"Mom, if I'd known—" Ava began, but Angie stopped, wrapping her arms around her mother.
"It's okay. We'll figure this out," Ava soothed, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
"So what now? We just wait for James to attack?" Derek asked, scanning the room, all too aware of the tension.
Scott spoke up, voice cautious. "Let's not forget Deucalion said he'd strike tonight, too."
