Page 89 of Of Shadow and Moon

I close my eyes, focusing on the rhythm of my breath as her magic sinks deeper. The warmth turns sharp, like needles pricking beneath my skin, and I wince.

“Feel anything?” she asks, and her voice is strained.

“There's something,” I whisper, my voice tight. “Like a knot. It's… heavy.”

“I feel it too,” she says, her tone grim. “It's deep. Like it's buried in layers. I can't… I can't reach it.”

Her hands shake slightly, and the glow brightens. A tide of heat sweeps through me, and I gasp, digging my hands into the sheets beneath me.

“Nasarea,” I choke out, “are you okay?”

She doesn't respond, not right away, anyway. Her attention is wholly consumed by the magic flowing between us. A bead of sweat forms on her forehead; her jaw clenched, she pushes more energy. The pressure in my chest increases again, as if something inside me wants to claw its way out.

“Almost,” she mutters. “Just… a little more.”

Suddenly, the warmth is gone, replaced by a cold void. Nasarea pitches forward, catching herself on her hands as her magic sputters out.

I sit up quickly, grabbing her shoulders. “Nasarea! Are you okay?”

She nods weakly, her breathing labored. “I'm fine. Just… tired. That took more out of me than I expected.”

“Did you… did you find anything?” I ask, my voice shaking.

She looks up at me, her expression serious. “There's definitely something there, Selestina. Something strong. But it's buried deep. Whoever put it there… they didn't want you to find it.”

The words send a chill down my spine. “So it's real.”

“It's real.” She confirms, wiping a hand across her damp forehead. “But I couldn't break through. Not yet, anyway. And Selestina?” Nasarea pauses. “A witch put it there. I don’t know who, or how, or when, but I do know she is verypowerful. I felt her warning the moment my magic attempted to heal the block. It felt like a scolding from my grandma.” She winces.

I settle back, the weight of her words settling over me. A block. And a strong witch put it there.

“Are you sure it wasn’t a mage? Alexander is centuries old, so I guess that could qualify him as a grandpa?” I question.

“Mmm, no.” Nasarea shakes her head, resolute. “Definitely a powerful witch. I think she may have been protecting you, Sel. I didn’t feel malicious intent. I felt warmth, like a grandma’s promise.”

Nasarea leans back against the wall, her breathing gradually evening out. “You have a lot going on, Selestina. And I have absolutely no idea what all it means. But one thing is certain.”

“What?” I ask quietly.

“You're not human, that’s absolutely certain now,” she says, matter-of-fact. “And whatever's inside you? It's powerful. Really powerful.”

I stare at her, my mind racing. There's no going back now. Too many secrets. Too many unanswered questions. Whatever happens next, I need to find out the truth—no matter the cost.

“I think we should make an ofrenda,” I whisper softly. Nasarea’s eyes narrow trying to figure out where I am going with this. “For your mom.” I finish.

Nasarea’s eyes slightly widen. Surprise written across her face. She opens her mouth but quickly closes it, unsure of what to say next. “I think…” She starts. “I think I would like that. Thank you, Selestina.”

“Thank you, Nasarea. For trusting me. For being myfriend. For having my back. And for doing whatever you can to figure out what is going on with me,” I say genuinely. Nasarea nods softly.

We sit like that for the rest of the night. Exhausted but content.

Chapter 51

Selestina

The cool morning air nibbles at my skin as I step out of the dorm, and the academy grounds bathed in the moody tones of dawn. I crunch my feet on the gravel path, and pull my ponytail tighter to the crown of my head. Lately, I’m getting lost in my thoughts too frequently.

When I round the corner near the fountain, I see Matheus.

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