Shattered Heart's Plea

Chapter 17: The Prophecy

Chapter 17: The Prophecy

***

Despite being confined within the four gray walls of the training hall for another two days, Zoe found her thoughts drifting to the upcoming celebration of her friend's birthday. The anticipation of the event became her motivation, driving her to keep practicing tirelessly. She counted the days, each spell, and exercised a step closer to the moment she could leave Tudor Manor and join the festivities.

At daybreak, Zoe was jolted awake by the sound of knocking on her door. She reluctantly slid out from under the comforting blankets and went to answer it.

"So—when were you going to tell us you had plans to leave the manor?" Ethaniel stood there, holding two envelopes in his hand, his brow raised in inquiry.

"Is that my invitation from Khlea?" Zoe asked, deliberately ignoring the shaman's accusatory gaze.

"Uh, no," Ethaniel said, raising the envelopes higher.

"What do you mean 'no'?" Zoe's brows furrowed in frustration. "I need to go. If you need to send a whole squadron of witches to be my guards, then so be it. Just give me my letter."

"Actually, your squadron of guards will only be comprised of a Visor and a fossil," Ethaniel's eyes sparkled with mischief as he handed her one of the envelopes. "We're also invited."

"What?!" Zoe nearly dropped the envelope with her name on it as she grabbed the one Ethaniel held. "To Eternity?! Why the heck would the Wrights invite you to their daughter's birthday?"

The corner of Ethaniel's mouth twitched into an offended grin.

"Maybe because Eternity is not just a secret mafia company but also a real business?" he scoffed. "Besides, the Wrights are socialites and it so happens that we are also socialites—"

"Socialites? The last time I checked, you were hiding behind the tall walls of this manor," Zoe retorted, raising a brow at him.

Ethaniel chuckled. "How many times do I have to say that I don't hide my magic, and everyone else for that matter?" He snatched the invitation with Eternity's name from her hold. "People just don't ask so we don't tell." He shrugged nonchalantly. "We will be leaving in an hour, so prepare everything you need."

Zoe hastily rummaged through her belongings, packing everything in a frenzied blur. Nina stood by, eager to assist, but Zoe's swift movements left the young maid unable to keep up, her hands hovering uselessly as Zoe's urgency overtook any chance for help.

"So, we'll be in separate vans," Ethaniel said as Zoe finished her breakfast. "I'll be with you, and Nik will be in the other one. The elders believe you two should keep your distance for now, given what happened the last time you had contact."

Zoe's brows furrowed as she looked up at Ethaniel. He appeared genuinely concerned for Nicholas. Despite not wanting to admit it, she too felt a pang of worry after witnessing Nicholas struggle in such agonizing pain.

"What... What exactly happened to him?" Zoe finally asked after getting inside the van.

Ethaniel looked at her with hesitation. "He's immortal, Zoe. We are Servants of Nature," he explained as if expecting her to understand. "The greatest prophecy of nature is that everything follows a cycle. Nature has proven time and again that life is cyclical, and anything that defies this prophecy is not a friend of nature. Immortality breaks the cycle of life. It is not exactly a friend to any kind of magic," he smiled, though it was tinged with sadness.

"How exactly did he become immortal?" Zoe asked making Ethaniel sigh in exasperation. "You'll be stuck with me for hours so I get to ask questions... and I get to have answers."