Ember ↠ Paul Lahote ✓

21

𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄
babe with the power.

CLARY, HOPE, AND the twins are out deep in the woods near Charlie's house, having a good time and just enjoying each other's company.

"So, you and Seth, huh?" Clary smirks at Lizzie, who blushes a deep red and hides her face with her blonde hair.

"He's cute," Lizzie responds simply. "And he's sweet, and he listens to me. When most guys hear about my mental illnesses, they run for the hills and never look back. But he listened to me explain what I go through, and he said he'd always be there for me. Plus, it's fate. I'm his imprint."

Clary smiles at her best friend. "I'm so happy you finally found someone who'll love and care for you like I know Seth will."

Lizzie nods. "He will." She looks up at the beautiful blue sky. "We're going on our first date tomorrow. He says it's a surprise."

"Josie, what's going on with you and Embry?" Hope looks at the brunette curiously.

Josie can't help but smile as she thinks of the clumsy, adorable boy who's always trying to impress her by doing something stupid.

"I told him I'm not ready to be with someone yet. I told him all about Penelope, and he got really protective, but he said he'll wait and that he doesn't care if it takes years for me to accept him," she explains, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before smirking and turning her attention to Hope. "What's going on with you and Leah?"

Hope exhales slowly, her heart thudding in her chest at the thought of the female Shifter. "We both aren't ready to take that leap yet. We've both gone through some messed-up crap, but we're going to work through it. Together."

"That's good," Clary says, grasping her best friend's hand. "You both deserve happiness."

Lizzie turns to her. "What about you and Paul?"

Clary freezes, her steps faltering and her cheeks heating up to the point she looks like a tomato. "You know I love him," she mutters. "You're the ones who made me realise that."

"But..." Josie trails off, her brown eyes filling with worry.

"No buts." Clary smiles, biting her lip. "It's just that I'm afraid. We're always in danger due to the lives we live. That's all."

Hope wraps an arm around the redhead's shoulders. "Don't worry. He's strong, and you're strong. You're both going to survive this and whatever else is to come. We'll all survive."

"Okay, enough serious talk," Lizzie says loudly, clapping her hands as they walk into a clearing. "We came out here to practice our magic." She grins and holds out a hand, wiggling her fingers. "Someone please hold my hand so I can make the leaves float."

Clary laughs, taking her hand. "Let's do it."

They hold their hands out, muttering an incantation and watching as leaves on the forest floor float above their heads.

The two grin, tilting their hands slightly, making the leaves move as if they're dancing.

Hope and Josie clasp hands, muttering a similar spell so that the water drops coating the leaves rise and float above them as well.

The best friends laugh loudly, immensely overjoyed by a simple show of dancing leaves and water droplets.

Their sweet, joyful laughter is heard from a mile away. The Cullens, including Bella, hear it. To them, it sounds more like a whistle due to the wind.

Nonetheless, they're curious as to what's making the noise so they venture out of their house and into the woods, following the sound of laughter and various noises.

When Bella and the Cullen family make it to the clearing, they pause just before the tree-line ends and stay hidden in the shadows.

They're shocked at what they see. Clary and her friends are holding hands as leaves and droplets of water float around them and dance in the wind.

The girls don't look shocked or fearful. Instead, they look peaceful. Hell, they're giggling. They seem happy and content.

Of course, they know that Clary's part witch, but they've never seen her do any sort of magic before, so it's a shock to see, as well as realising her friends must be witches just like her.

Clary mutters another incantation, the wind picking up and making the girls' hair whip around wildly. The leaves and water drops dance more intensely, almost like they're at a rave, something the girls find amusing.

Hope twists her free hand, moving the leaves into a shape resembling an 'M' for Mikaelson.

While the Cullens are confused by the letter, the four best friends know what it means and it strikes something within Clary and Hope.

They're obviously saddened by the letter, making the Cullens wonder what it means.

"They'd love the women you two have grown into," Lizzie says softly. "I only met your dad once before, Hope, but he was willing to die for you—to die for both of you, so that you could live an amazing life. And that's exactly what you two have accomplished."

Bella, as well as the Cullen family, are even more confused and curious than before now.

Clary and Hope both inhale shakily, tears shining in their eyes. Both of them miss Klaus, Hayley, and Elijah.

Of course, Rebekah, Freya, and Kol are still alive, but they rarely visit, and when they do, they only stay for a few hours before leaving. Even though they're still alive and well, it's as if they've lost them too.

"We should probably go home," Josie says after a moment of silence. "I'm hungry."

Clary and Hope nod in agreement. They know that Josie is trying to get their minds off their losses.

All four girls let go of each other's hands, the leaves and water drops previously floating now dropping down onto the ground.

They walk off, heading back to the Swan residence, leaving Bella and the Cullens standing there, bewildered.