The Reluctant Witch of Willow Creek: The Blood Moon Prophecy ( Book 2)

Chapter 19: Into the Unseen

Armed with Mary's knowledge and fueled by a shared sense of urgency, Luna and Thomas prepared to confront the unseen force that was corrupting their town. They knew the Hawthornes dabbled in summoning rituals, twisting the fabric of life to bind creatures of darkness to their will. Now, they had to unravel those rituals, sever the ties that bound these entities to Willow Creek, and banish them back to the shadows from whence they came.

Mary, despite her age and frailty, insisted on guiding them. Her knowledge of ancient lore, passed down through generations of Bellweather women, was their greatest weapon against the encroaching darkness. She led them to a hidden chamber beneath the Bellweather cottage, its entrance concealed by a tapestry woven with protective sigils.

The air in the chamber was heavy with the scent of herbs and incense, the walls lined with shelves stacked high with leather-bound grimoires and clay jars filled with unknown ingredients. A large cauldron sat in the center of the room, its surface etched with arcane symbols that shimmered faintly in the flickering candlelight.

"The Hawthornes sought to control magic," Mary explained, her voice echoing in the confined space. "But true power lies in understanding, in respecting the delicate balance between the seen and the unseen."

She directed Luna and Thomas to gather specific herbs and powders, their names a litany of forgotten tongues. As they worked, Mary chanted softly, her voice weaving a tapestry of sound that resonated with the ancient magic woven into the very foundation of the cottage.

The air crackled with energy as Mary tossed the ingredients into the cauldron, the mixture bubbling and spitting as a plume of emerald smoke erupted from its depths. The room filled with a blinding light, forcing Luna and Thomas to shield their eyes. When the light subsided, Mary stood before them, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly power.

"The veil is thin here," she said, her voice amplified, as if channeled through some unseen conduit. "We can use the Hawthornes' own magic against them, open a doorway into the unseen realm where their creatures are bound."

Fear pricked at Luna's heart, but she pushed it down, her fingers tightening around the silver pendant. She had faced down monstrous wolves, defied ancient curses, and stared down the Hawthornes themselves. She would not falter now.

Taking a deep breath, Luna stepped forward, her hand finding Thomas's, their fingers intertwining in a silent vow of support. Together, they stepped into the swirling emerald mist, the familiar world dissolving around them as they plunged into the heart of the unseen.