The Dark Society

30

Tatum remained silent but observant as Karen moved hesitantly, her fear of the unknown evident in every step. In contrast, Sabrina radiated warmth--her bright smile and friendly demeanor confirmed everything Karen had heard about her.

Nevertheless, she needed a reason to approach Sabrina while Luis waited patiently for the right moment. The situation felt awkward since Luis and Karen weren't dating, and he'd never actually met Sabrina.

Finally, Luis threw caution to the wind and stepped forward. The gesture caught Sabrina's attention, and she eagerly waved him over.

"Luis..." she greeted him. "Remember me?"

He stared like an awkward schoolboy.

"How could I forget?" he managed. "Though I'm surprised you remember my name."

"I recognize you from orientation."

He nodded, impressed.

She giggled. "You should be."

Sabrina seemed engaged and focused, though occasionally she appeared distant and withdrawn.

"I don't see you around campus much," Luis observed.

Sabrina moved closer. "Sorry about that. I haven't been myself lately."

Luis took her hand and kissed it gently. "I know what you mean."

The noisy surroundings made conversation difficult, so he offered an alternative.

"How about somewhere more private?"

Luis didn't know what to expect, but he was gratified that she was everything he'd imagined.

"I thought you'd never ask."

Meeting Sabrina had gone well--she was personable and surprisingly receptive. Yet something about the situation intrigued her, something she needed to understand about him.

"I've thought about this moment," he admitted.

She beamed. "I have to confess--I have too."

Sabrina enjoyed their conversation, but there was much he didn't need to know. So, while getting acquainted, she carefully steered toward specific topics. Moreover, she remained guarded, but when Sabrina mentioned her plans to leave, Luis felt surprisingly heartbroken.

"When are you coming back?"

"I'm not," she said firmly.

Meanwhile, their absence hadn't gone unnoticed. Luckily, Karen had contained her jealousy thus far, but it was becoming difficult.

"You couldn't be any more obvious," Dena stated, approaching her.

"Why him?" Karen demanded.

Dena turned to face her. "You're not together anymore, remember?"

Karen grabbed her arm angrily. "What did you sense earlier?"

Dena looked toward Sabrina. "Like I said--she's evil and more powerful than we imagined."

"Why would a witch from America come here?"

Dena took a breath. "The prophecy, remember?"

Karen scowled. "Would someone really travel so far?"

Dena considered this. "To gain an advantage? Yes." She looked at Karen seriously. "Be warned--don't underestimate her."

Karen absorbed this revelation while Sabrina and Luis continued talking. She'd been committed to reconciling with Luis in recent years, but now Sabrina had intervened--an unforeseen development that enraged the entire sect.

Regardless, Karen and Luis shared an extensive history, an ancestry of passion she planned to exploit.