MOONSTONE VALE

Chapter 2: Divided

Skyler wanted to forget her annoying encounter with Noah, the smug warlock from the Obsidian Circle. She told herself he was just a minor nuisance, like leaves falling in the Vale. But as she gathered her spell supplies the next evening, picking up moonstone dust and lavender, she couldn't shake the memory of his mocking voice, his infuriating smirk, and the way he acted like he owned the place.

As she stepped into the Vale, the moonlight wrapped the forest in soft silver, casting long shadows. The trees whispered in the gentle breeze, and the air was crisp and still, like the world was holding its breath. Skyler breathed deeply, letting the peace of the place wash over her. This was her sanctuary, her escape, and she wouldn't let some arrogant warlock ruin it.

She set her bag by the pond, the sound of water mixing with the rustling leaves. Humming softly, she began collecting herbs, her fingers carefully picking moonflowers. She felt her mind relax, thoughts of Jasper Coven rules and duties fading away. Here, she could focus on the simple magic of nature.

But just as she knelt to pick some sage, a familiar voice cut through the quiet, smooth and full of sarcasm.

"Back so soon? Or is this where all good witches come to play?"

Skyler's shoulders tensed. She turned slowly, feeling her annoyance rise, and saw Noah leaning against a tree, arms folded, smirking. He looked like he belonged there, maybe even more than she did.

She sighed in frustration. "Don't you have anything better to do?" she asked, her voice colder than the night air.

Noah chuckled, moving closer. "Oh, plenty of things. But watching you with moonflowers is as exciting as it gets around here."

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "I didn't know the Obsidian Circle had so much free time to waste."

"We're full of surprises," he said smoothly, stopping a few feet away. "But I'm curious, why does a 'good' witch like you sneak off here every night? A bit rebellious for Jasper's golden girl, isn't it?"

Skyler met his gaze, refusing to let him bother her, though her patience was wearing thin. "Moonstone Vale has things my coven needs. Not that you'd understand; dark warlocks are busy with curses and shadows."

He raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing. "Oh, is that what they say about us? You Jasper witches think you're so pure, don't you? All light and goodness." He leaned in, his voice a whisper. "Does that get boring?"

Skyler's annoyance flared, and she glared at him. "Some of us like balance over chaos. We don't mess with people's lives to feel powerful."

"Balance?" He pretended to yawn, like she was boring him. "If that helps you sleep at night..."

Skyler's fists clenched, but she stayed calm. "And here I thought the Obsidian Circle was about mystery and power. Turns out, it's just bad jokes and dark eyeliner."

Noah laughed, his smirk softening into something almost friendly. It caught her off guard. "You're quick, I'll give you that." He tilted his head, looking at her with a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Maybe you're not as boring as I thought."

She raised an eyebrow, trying not to feel pleased by his reaction. "And maybe you're more annoying than I imagined."

He grinned, a mischievous light in his eyes. "Oh, I'm full of surprises, Skyler."

Hearing her name from him sent a strange shiver down her spine, and she scolded herself for letting him get to her. He was infuriating, self-centered, and exactly the kind of warlock her coven warned her about. And yet... there was something about him she couldn't ignore.

"Look," she said, gathering her herbs and standing, "it's been... enlightening. But I have real spells to work on."

"Don't let me stop you." He stepped back with a lazy grin, but his gaze stayed on her. "I'm looking forward to seeing what you Jasper witches call 'real magic.'"

Skyler shook her head, brushing past him without another glance, determined not to let him rattle her. But as she walked away, she could feel his eyes on her, the weight of his gaze hanging in the air. And, despite her best efforts, a small part of her wondered if he'd be back tomorrow.

She hated that thought... and maybe, secretly, she didn't mind it.

Leaving Moonstone Vale, Skyler tried to focus on her tasks, on the herbs she'd gathered, anything but the irritating warlock who seemed to live to annoy her. But the memory of his laugh, his teasing voice, and the way he looked at her stayed with her, gnawing at her thoughts.

For reasons she couldn't explain, she found herself looking back at the dark trees, half-expecting to see his shadow. But there was nothing—only the quiet whisper of the wind.

As she walked back to her coven, a nagging thought slipped in, as persistent as it was unwelcome: Did she want to see him again? And if she did, what did that mean for her?

Pushing the thought aside, she quickened her pace, trying to ignore the pull that kept bringing her back to that clearing, to the warlock who, despite everything, seemed determined to stay in her thoughts.