Cassiopeia Forbes has spent years distancing herself from Mystic Falls-a town steeped in memories of her younger sister, Caroline, and the mother she never truly connected with. Leaving at just nine year old to live with her father, Cassie vowed nev...
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The next day, everyone gathered at the Salvatore house, as Bonnie had suggested. It felt like the right place for what we were about to do, even though tension hung thick in the air. I'd already spoken with Stefan earlier about the ritual, and he had agreed to accompany me. There was a quiet determination in his eyes, one that mirrored my own.
Caroline wanted to be here, but she was busy handling things with Matt. I knew she’d have wanted to support me, but sometimes life pulls us in different directions. As for Katherine, I wished she were anywhere but here, yet she seemed to have nothing better to do than watch us go through with this ritual. Alaric and Elena arrived after Jenna left town, angry and confused after finding out Isobel was back. And Damon? I hadn’t spoken to him since Elijah’s death. Technically, Elena was the one who drove the dagger in, but Damon had started it, and I trusted him.
Bonnie was focused as she set up for the ritual, placing candles at the corners of the star she had drawn on the floor, her movements precise and purposeful. I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
"Stefan, are you ready?" Bonnie asked, her voice steady but carrying the weight of what was to come.
"Yeah," Stefan replied, his tone calm, though I could sense the underlying tension.
Bonnie gave him a look of concern. "Remember, it will drain all your energy while I'm channeling you. Can you handle that?"
Stefan nodded. "I think I can."
She then turned to me, her eyes searching mine. "Cassie, you ready?"
"Yep," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Okay," Bonnie continued, "we have to join hands and make a circle. I’ll chant the spell, and you won’t be here mentally. Once you find and talk to Lyra, you’ll come back."
"How will I find Lyra?" I asked, uncertainty creeping into my voice.
"The grimoire says you’ll know when you see her," Bonnie reassured me.
I nodded, trusting her.
"So, are you both ready?" Bonnie asked again, looking between Stefan and me. We both nodded, and everyone else in the room watched us closely, the tension palpable.
We joined hands, forming the circle. I grasped Bonnie’s hand on one side, Stefan’s on the other. As Bonnie began chanting, I felt my body becoming lighter, as if I was floating. My surroundings began to blur, and then—
I found myself in a room that felt hauntingly familiar. The wooden cupboards, the bed—everything had a sense of déjà vu. My eyes landed on my necklace lying on the side table, a tangible reminder of a past I had tried to forget. I sensed someone behind me, felt the warmth of their breath on my neck. Slowly, hands slid around my waist, and I turned around to face him. Our eyes locked, and before I could process anything, he leaned in, kissing me deeply.
