The Chosen One •

35

✨🌕 Isabel 🌕✨

I was sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, my father's photo still clutched in my hands, when my phone buzzed in my lap. I glanced at the screen, and my heart skipped.

"Parents," I muttered to myself, seeing the familiar contact name.

I stood quickly, excusing myself from Daichi, Kun, and Tara, and moved into the kitchen for privacy. Pressing the green button, I answered, trying to steady my voice. "Hola, Mami. Papi."

"Isabel!" My mother's warm voice filled the line. "How are you, sweetheart?"

"We've been thinking about you," my father added.

I smiled at the genuine concern in their voices, leaning against the counter. "I'm good. How are you two doing?"

"Oh, we're fine," my mom said lightly. "Just wanted to check in. Things have been... quiet around here."

I bit my lip, holding back the flood of things I wanted to tell them. So much had happened. They deserved to know, but over the phone felt too impersonal. Then an idea sparked in my mind.

"Hold on a second," I said, my lips curving into a small smirk.

"Isabel?" my mom asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Just a second," I repeated and muted the phone. I turned and called out, "Kun?"

He walked into the kitchen a moment later, his brow raised. "Yeah?"

I handed him the phone and gestured for him to take it. "I need you to talk to my parents for a minute. Make sure I'm okay. I'm about to try something."

His eyes narrowed. "What kind of something?"

"I'm testing my magic," I said with a grin. "Just... keep them talking. I'll explain later."

Kun sighed but nodded, taking the phone from me. "Hello?" he said cautiously.

"Kun!" my mother's voice rang out. "How are you, dear?"

"Uh... I'm good, Mrs. Soto," Kun said, his voice softening.

"And how's Isabel?" my father chimed in. "She's keeping you on your toes, isn't she?"

I chuckled to myself as I slid down the wall to the floor, closing my eyes. While Kun continued the conversation, I focused on my breathing, steadying my magic.

I'd never tried astral projection like this before, but if my magic could help me break ancient spells, surely I could manage this. I let my senses expand, searching for the familiar energy of my parents. It was faint at first, like a whisper, but then I felt it—a warm, comforting glow, unmistakably them.

Focusing harder, I visualized them, the details coming into sharper focus in my mind's eye. My body tingled, magic crackling under my skin. On the third attempt, I felt myself slip through the veil.

When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in the kitchen anymore.

"Holy—" My father's voice cut off in a gasp.

"Isabel?" My mother's eyes widened as she stared at me, her hand flying to her chest.

I glanced down and realized I was glowing faintly, my form shimmering with energy. I laughed, holding my hands up in a placating gesture. "Surprise!"

My father was still staring. "How... how are you doing this?"

Kun's voice came from the phone, still in my father's hand. "What's going on? Mrs. Soto? Mr. Soto?"

"We're fine, Kun," my mom said, her eyes still locked on me. "Your mate is just... glowing in our living room."

Kun sighed. "Of course she is."