Chapter Text
The room was quiet except for the soft patter of rain against the window and the distant rumble of thunder. The storm outside felt like a reflection of the chaos inside Bianca’s mind as she laid in Jade's arms. Her body was still tingling with the remnants of their passion, but her thoughts were a tangled mess. Jade's embrace was warm and reassuring, yet Bianca couldn’t shake the confusion within her.
Jade’s voice broke through her thoughts, low and gentle. “What’s on your mind?”
Bianca sighed, her eyes tracing the lines of the intricate patterns on the ceiling before turning to look at Jade. “I just... I’m still trying to make sense of all of this.” Her voice was quiet, almost lost in the vastness of the room. “My entire life, I believed that vampires were nothing but pure evil, not exceptions to that fact and now this... I’m questioning everything I’ve ever known.”
Jade held her tighter, her hand moving in slow, soothing circles on Bianca's back. “It’s no different than if a human had taken your mom, and you’d been raised to hate that kind of person,” Jade began, her voice steady, trying to guide Bianca through her internal battle. “Your life was ripped apart by my kind, but just like all humans aren’t the same... not all of us are like Marcel, or at least don’t choose to stay that way.”
Bianca nodded, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the contours of Jade’s arm. “I read up on your family, but... there isn’t much about you after a certain point.”
Jade's gaze softened, a bittersweet shadow crossing her eyes. “If you’ve read about my family, then you know we were steeped in darkness. The Valentines left a trail of death and devastation. My sister... she was the worst of us. I wasn’t innocent, not by any means, but the kind of evil you speak of—that was her. For some reason, I know she tried to have me ended”
She paused, as if sifting through the fog of memories, searching for clarity. “There are gaps in my memory, like someone cast a spell to blur the edges of my past. But I do remember waking up sometime in the 1800s. There was a knife in my chest, and when I opened my eyes, a woman was standing over me. She had just pulled it out, it was a White Oak Ash Dagger, that had put me to sleep for years. She knew what I was, but she didn’t treat me like a monster. She made me feel like I had a purpose beyond destruction, like I was more than just the chaos I was thrust into. She became like a mother to me, teaching me a new way to survive.”
Jade’s voice softened further as she continued, her gaze drifting back to Bianca. “After that, I lived more quietly, avoiding the obvious spaces. But even before that time, and especially after, there was one thing that remained constant—a face that I could never quite forget.” She reached up, her fingertips brushing Bianca’s cheek with a touch so tender it was almost reverent. “It was your face. Even when everything else faded, you were always there, in the back of my mind, haunting my dreams and my waking moments.”
Bianca leaned into Jade’s touch, her eyes searching Jade’s as if trying to uncover more of the mystery that was this woman. “I still don’t understand how you could have fantasized about me for hundreds of years... and I didn’t even exist.”
“Not in this form,” Jade replied, her hand trailing down to caress the curves of Bianca’s body, as if grounding herself in the reality of her presence. “But your spirit, your soul has been around for an eternity, and at some point, in another lifetime, maybe our souls were connected and even death couldn’t sever that tie.”
“This is crazy,” Bianca murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she traced the tattoos on Jade’s hands, her fingertips following the symbols as if they could reveal the secrets of the universe. Her eyes drifted up to meet Jade’s, and she found herself lost in the depth of emotion there. “I’ve never felt anything like this before. I’ve always felt this gravitation toward something, like I was searching or looking for something and just didn’t know what. These past few months, it got so much stronger, and now... here with you. That feeling finally feels settled.”
Jade’s eyes darkened with an emotion Bianca couldn’t quite place, a mixture of yearning and fear. “How can this work?” Bianca’s was heavy with the weight of the question. It wasn’t just about them; it was about everything they’d known, everything they were supposed to be. The hunter and the hunted. The one destined to destroy and the one meant to be destroyed. And yet, here they were, entangled in a connection that defied logic, defied destiny.
Jade sighed, the same questions haunting her. “That’s too much to try and take on right now,” she whispered, pushing the overwhelming thoughts aside. She cupped Bianca’s face in her hands, her thumbs caressing the softness of her skin. “Let’s just be here for the moment.”
Their lips met in a deep, lingering kiss, filled with all the words they couldn’t say, all the fears they couldn’t voice. Jade’s kiss was slow, almost desperate, as if she was trying to memorize the feel of Bianca’s lips against hers, the taste of her mouth, the warmth of her breath. Bianca’s hands slid into Jade’s hair, pulling her closer, needing to feel her, to drown out the uncertainty with the certainty of this moment.
Their bodies pressed together, Jade’s hand slipping down to the small of Bianca’s back, drawing her even closer. The kiss deepened, growing more fervent, choosing to lose themselves in each other, as if the outside world and its realities didn’t exist.
Bianca stood at the threshold of Jade’s mansion, prepared to face the reality that she could no longer ignore. Her father’s anger and the looming threat of Marcel was a shadow that hung over everything. The phone in her hand held dozens of missed calls and texts from her father over the course of the hours of the night.
“He’s not going to understand this... I barely do,” Bianca admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she looked up at Jade. Her hand rested on Jade’s chest. Jade stood there, clad in a sports bra and skin-tight shorts, the look in her eyes that held Bianca—an intensity that spoke of both fierce protection and unspoken fears.
Jade’s hands moved to Bianca’s waist, her grip firm yet tender. “You don’t have to tell him everything right now,” Jade said, her tone reassuring. “Our priority is dealing with Marcel. Being an Original isn’t enough to defeat him—he’s grown more powerful over the years. When I fought him, I could feel it. But no matter what I have to do, I won’t let anything happen to you.” The promise in her words was unyielding.
Bianca leaned up, her lips brushing softly against Jade’s, the kiss brief but filled with a thousand emotions. Jade reluctantly broke away, crossing the room to a cabinet where she retrieved an ancient-looking box. She returned to Bianca, handing it to her with a seriousness that caught Bianca off guard.
“Take this,” Jade said, opening the box to reveal a ring.
Bianca’s dark humor surfaced, a small attempt to lighten the weight of the moment. “Proposing already?” she teased.The ring was ancient, with a thick silver band and a large black stone set in the center. Intricate engravings wound around the band, symbols that seemed to pulse with a hidden power.
“This isn’t really my style,” Bianca continued, though her tone had softened, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
“It’s called the Gilbert Ring,” Jade explained. “Since I can’t go with you, if you sense any danger, you need to put this on. If something happens to you... it will bring you back.” Jade’s explanation was simple, almost too simple, but Bianca could sense the depth of concern behind it. Jade needed to feel like she could protect her, even from afar, and now that everything was out in the open, there was no reason to hold back anything that might keep Bianca safe.
Bianca took the box, turning the ring over in her fingers, feeling the ancient energy that radiated from it. “I’ve read about this... How did you get it?” she asked, her curiosity piqued by the legendary artifact.
Jade’s expression darkened, a shadow passing over her features. “The woman who found me... I tracked it down to try and keep herself safe for as long as I could.” There was a deep sadness in her eyes, a sadness that spoke of loss and memories that still haunted her.
Bianca’s heart ached at the sight of Jade’s sorrow. She reached up, caressing Jade’s face, her touch gentle and filled with understanding. “I need to go,” Bianca said softly, though the words felt like a lie. She didn’t want to leave, but she knew she had to. “But... I’ll be back.”
Jade nodded, stepping behind the door as Bianca opened it, careful to stay out of the reach of the morning sun that was beginning to rise. As Bianca stepped outside, the chill of the early morning air hit her. There was a heaviness in the air, a sense of dread that settled in her chest like a weight.
As the door shut behind her, Jade felt a pang of fear—a deep, instinctual warning that something was coming. The scent of death lingered in the air, as if it was already creeping up on them, just out of sight. Jade knew in her gut that something bad was about to happen, something that would change everything.
When Bianca arrived at her Fathers and found the house empty, that dread she already felt intensified, pushing her to head to the gym where she knew he might be.
It was early, and the gym wasn’t supposed to be open yet but as Bianca approached the door, she noticed it was slightly ajar. A sliver of unease slid through her as she reached for the handle, her heart thumping louder in her chest. The door creaked open, revealing a scene of utter chaos.
The gym looked like a war zone—equipment overturned, mirrors shattered, and mats strewn about as if a tornado had ripped through the place. Her stomach twisted with a sudden wave of nausea, her instincts screaming that something was horribly wrong.
“Dad!” Bianca’s voice rang out, desperate, echoing through the empty space. Panic surged through her veins as she ran deeper into the gym, her footsteps heavy on the cold, cracked floor. She pushed open doors, looked behind toppled weight racks, but there was no sign of him.
Her feet led her toward the basement, an even colder chill crawling up her spine. The door was slightly open, and she hesitated for a fraction of a second before pushing it wide and descending the stairs. The moment her foot touched the bottom step, her breath caught in her throat, the air freezing in her lungs.
There, on the mat, lay her father’s body, motionless and cold. The sight of him made her heart stop, her world crumbling in an instant. Above him, scrawled on the wall in deep red, were the words “You’re next…” written in blood.
“No… No, no, no, no!” Bianca’s scream pierced the air, filled with horror as she ran to her father’s side. She dropped to her knees beside him, hands trembling as she tried to shake him awake, her voice breaking as she called his name over and over again. “Dad, please! Please wake up!”
But his skin was cold, the color drained from his face, and she knew—deep down she knew—he was gone. The grief hit her like a tidal wave, pulling her under, and she wept uncontrollably, her tears falling onto his lifeless body.
Her father’s phone lay beside him, the screen still glowing. With shaky hands, Bianca reached for it, her thumb brushing over the notification—her message, still unread. The realization that he had been reaching out to her, desperate to protect her, only to meet this fate alone, made her chest ache with guilt and sorrow. She unlocked the phone, and it immediately opened to a video.
The screen filled with Marcel’s face, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction. Bianca’s blood turned to ice as she watched, unable to look away.
“I really wanted him to watch you die first, but I guess plans change,” Marcel’s voice was smooth, oozing with sick pleasure. “So now, you get to watch him die.”
The video cut to her father, captured in brutal clarity as he fought for his life. Bianca’s breath hitched, her hands clenched into fists so tight her knuckles turned white. Her father’s face was contorted in pain, his body struggling against Marcel’s overwhelming strength. Marcel toyed with him, taking pleasure in each blow, each moment of fear that flashed across her father’s eyes.
“I’m going to fucking kill you” Bianca whispered, her voice broken. The video continued, showing the horrific moment Marcel delivered the final blow. Her father’s body crumpled to the ground, defeated, and the camera lingered on him as life drained from his eyes.
Bianca let out a scream of pure anguish, her soul shattering as the reality of it all set in. She couldn’t stop the tears that flowed freely down her face, her body shaking with the force of her sobs. She clutched his phone to her chest, her world spinning out of control.
The sound of footsteps approaching barely registered in her mind until she heard a familiar voice. “Oh my God…” Naomi’s voice was soft, filled with horror and disbelief. Her eyes widening as she took in the scene before her.
Bianca looked up, her face streaked with tears, her expression one of complete devastation. “He’s gone…” she choked out, the words tasting bitter in her mouth. The pain was unbearable, suffocating her, and it was written all over her face.
Naomi rushed to her side, dropping down beside her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Bianca collapsed into her arms, her sobs muffled against Naomi’s shoulder. Naomi held her close, her own eyes filled with tears as she tried to comfort her friend, but there were no words that could ease this kind of pain. Marcel had not only taken her mother, he had now taken her father and if it was the last thing she did Bianca vowed to take his life and enjoy every single second of his pain.
The night held an eerie silence, as Jade, Bianca, and Naomi stood before the freshly covered grave of Bianca’s father.. The air was suffocated with grief, Jade could feel it most acutely through the trembling of Bianca’s hand in hers.
Jade had seen death countless times over the centuries, but this was different. This loss, this deep, searing wound, was more than just another death. It was Bianca’s pain, and it cut through Jade like a blade. The betrayal in Bianca’s eyes from weeks ago had been replaced with a new fire, one fueled by grief and anger. The woman beside her wasn’t just mourning—she was burning for revenge.
Naomi, on Bianca’s other side, tightened her grip on Bianca’s hand, offering silent support. The wind carried the scent of earth and fresh flowers from the grave.
“We have everything we need now,” Jade said, her voice low, almost lost in the night. The darkness around them felt alive, as though it too were mourning, but there was a cold edge to it, like a blade being sharpened in the shadows.
Bianca didn’t respond at first, her eyes fixed on the grave. Her father’s death had taken something from her, but it had also given her a new resolve. Jade could see it in the way she held herself, stiff and unyielding, a woman on the brink of war.
“Marcel dies tonight.” Bianca said vengeance deep in her tone.
They had spent the last week hunting down the items needed to create the dagger that could kill Marcel. It hadn’t been easy—tracking down the ashes of another Upgraded Original had required favors from a powerful coven Naomi was connected to. Jade’s own venom, extracted with care, had been a personal contribution, one she had given without hesitation despite the risk. And then there was the blood magic, ancient and dangerous, that Naomi would use to seal everything into the dagger, making it a weapon capable of killing an Original, but only if wielded by a human.,
“Are you ready?” Jade asked, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife.
Bianca didn’t hesitate. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”
Jade could see the raw, burning need in her eyes—the need for vengeance, for justice, for the closure that only Marcel’s death could bring.
The doors of the bar creaked open, and the darkness inside seemed to swallow them whole. Marcel had overtaken the bar when he came into town, the very place he killed her father, she would take his life. The stench of blood and decay clouded the air. As they stepped inside, Bianca’s eyes locked onto Marcel, who stood at the far end of the room. His gaze was predatory, a smile playing on his lips as he saw them approach.
“I’ve been expecting you,” Marcel said, his voice low and menacing. He stepped forward, his movements graceful yet dangerous, like a panther stalking its prey.
Bianca’s grip tightened on the dagger, her breath quickening. Jade took a step forward, her eyes never leaving Marcel’s. “This ends tonight, Marcel.”
Marcel laughed, a cold, cruel sound that sent a shiver down Bianca’s spine. “You really think you can take me down? Your Father thought so too….” He taunted.
Without another word, the battle erupted. Marcel moved with blinding speed, lunging at Jade first. The impact sent them crashing into a nearby table, splintering it into pieces. Bianca jumped into action, swinging the dagger at Marcel’s back, but he was too quick, dodging her strike and sending her sprawling across the floor with a powerful kick.
Jade recovered quickly, her fangs bared as she attacked again, this time with more ferocity. Their fight was brutal, each blow resounding through the empty bar. Marcel’s strength was terrifying, each of his attacks filled with a viciousness that made him nearly unstoppable. He grabbed Jade by the throat, slamming her into the wall with enough force to crack the plaster. She clawed at his arm, trying to free herself, but Marcel was relentless, his grip like iron. He punctured her with a syringe in his sleeve that carried his venom.
“Let her go!” Bianca screamed, rushing to help. She slashed at Marcel’s side, finally drawing blood. He roared in pain and released Jade, turning his fury on Bianca. His eyes were wild as he lunged at her, fangs bared, and she barely managed to dodge him. But he was again too fast, before she could react, he had her in his grasp, lifting her off the ground with ease.
“Some prophecy you were…,” Marcel hissed, his fangs inches from her throat. “Now, I’m going to enjoy draining every last drop of your blood.”
Bianca struggled, her heart racing with terror. She caught sight of Jade, still recovering from Marcel’s attack, her eyes wide with fear and frustration. “No!” Jade screamed, but Marcel’s venom had already stunned her, leaving her powerless to help.
Naomi, watching from the shadows, quickly sprang into action. She pulled a vial from her pocket, a serum she had prepared for this exact anticipated moment. She rushed to Jade’s side. Injecting the serum into Jade’s arm, she watched anxiously as it began to counteract the venom, slowly bringing Jade back to full strength. But it wasn’t fast enough—Marcel’s fangs sank into Bianca’s neck, and she cried out in pain as he began to feed.
The world went dark around her, her strength draining away with every second. She could feel Marcel’s cruel pleasure as he drank from her, his grip tightening. Her vision blurred, her mind growing foggy as she fought to hold on. But she wasn’t going to let him win—not like this. With the last of her strength, she gripped the dagger tightly and drove it into Marcel’s chest.
Marcel’s eyes widened in shock, his body jerking as the dagger pierced his heart. Even as the life drained from her, Bianca found satisfaction in the horror on his face. But the victory was bittersweet—her vision was fading, her body growing cold as Marcel continued to feed, desperate to drain every last drop of her blood.
Bianca’s body went limp, as he finally released Bianca, stumbling backward as the realization of what had happened dawned on him. He had underestimated her. Marcel fell to the ground beside her, his eyes glazing over as the dagger’s magic began to take effect. His body convulsed, flames licking at his skin, turning him to ash before their eyes.
Jade, now free from the venom’s effects, rushed to Bianca’s side. She gathered her into her arms, her heart breaking at the sight of Bianca’s lifeless body. “No, no, no…” Jade whispered, her voice trembling. She could feel the absence of life in Bianca, the pulse that should have been there but was not.
Naomi stood back, her eyes wide with shock. “Jade, she’s—”
“I’m not losing her,” Jade interrupted, her voice firm. She couldn’t let Bianca die, not like this. She had promised to protect her, to never let her come to harm. Without another thought, Jade bit into her own wrist, breaking the skin and holding it to Bianca’s lips.
Bianca would become the very thing she had spent her life hunting, the creature she had hated and feared. But Jade couldn’t let her die. She wouldn’t.
The wounds on her neck healed, her skin regained its color. Jade watched in awe and fear as the transformation took hold. When Bianca finally opened her eyes, they were no longer the eyes of the woman Jade had known—they were the eyes of a newborn vampire, filled with hunger and confusion.
Bianca gasped as she sat up, her senses overwhelmed by the sudden rush of power and thirst. She looked around, her eyes wide with shock, her veins pulsating with the newfound energy coursing through her. She could hear everything—the heartbeat of the rats in the walls, the soft breaths of Naomi, the crackling of the dying embers of Marcel’s ashes.
“What…what happened?” Bianca’s voice was hoarse, confused, as she looked down at her hands, now pale and strong.
Naomi stepped forward cautiously. “You got him, B. Marcel is gone.”
Bianca’s eyes met Jade’s, the realization dawning on her as she remembered the last moments of her human life. The terror, the pain, the decision she had made to save herself and end Marcel’s life. “Jade…what did you do?”
Jade knelt beside her, her hand reaching out to caress Bianca’s cheek. “I couldn’t let you die, Bianca. I had to save you. This was the only way.”
Bianca’s breath hitched, her mind reeling from the transformation. She could feel the hunger, the need for blood, gnawing at her insides, but more than that, she could feel the change in her very soul. She wasn’t human anymore—she was something else, something she had sworn to destroy.
The days following the battle with Marcel had been a blur for Bianca. Everything was different now—her senses sharper, her emotions heightened, and the thirst always lingering at the edge of her consciousness. Jade had stayed by her side, guiding her through the turbulent waters of her new existence. But despite Jade’s unwavering support, Bianca felt like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, teetering between the person she had been and the creature she had become.
Bianca found herself drawn to the room where Jade had kept all the pictures of her, as if the images held answers she desperately needed. She had spent hours sitting in the room, trying to piece together the fragments of her life, now shattered and reassembled into something unrecognizable.
The door creaked open, and Jade stepped inside, her presence a comforting warmth in the cold emptiness of the room. Bianca didn’t turn to look at her, her eyes still fixed on the photos as if they could offer her some clarity.
“Do you think this was the plan all along?” Bianca’s voice was soft, almost lost in the stillness of the room. “That you were destined to be here at this moment to save me?”
Jade moved closer, her footsteps barely making a sound on the wooden floor. She came up behind Bianca, wrapping her arms around her, pulling her into a tender embrace. “I don’t know,” Jade whispered, resting her chin on Bianca’s shoulder. “I hate that I had to turn you into something that you hate. If there had been any other way, I would have taken it.”
Bianca finally turned in Jade’s arms, her eyes meeting Jade’s with a mixture of sadness and acceptance. “I hate Marcel for what he took from me, and I hate all the monsters like him,” Bianca said, her voice trembling with the weight of her emotions. “But you… you’re the reason I can see this from a different perspective.”
Jade’s eyes softened, her heart aching for Bianca. She could see the pain in her eyes, the loss she was grappling with, and she wished she could take it all away.
“I’ve lost everything, Jade,” Bianca continued, her voice breaking. “I would have done anything to bring my dad back. I know why you did what you did. I’m not mad at you, I don’t hate you… I love you.”
A small, bittersweet smile curved Bianca’s lips as she spoke those words. There was still so much she had to come to terms with, so much she didn’t understand about this new life, but one thing she was certain of was her love for Jade and her now understanding the pull between them was a love story that was destined to defy logic.
“It’s going to take a while to get used to,” Bianca added, a hint of dark humor in her tone. “But I will… I have plenty of time.”
Jade smiled softly, her thumb brushing against Bianca’s cheek. “We… have forever,” she corrected gently.
Their eyes locked, the room filled with the unspoken promise of eternity. Slowly, Jade leaned in, her lips finding Bianca’s in a kiss that was tender, yet filled with the intensity of everything they had been through. It was a kiss that spoke of love, of loss, of a future neither of them had anticipated but were now bound to share.
A year had passed since the battle with Marcel, a year since Bianca’s world had been turned upside down. In that time, she, Jade, and Naomi had become an unstoppable force. They had carved out a new path, a mission to rid the world of its darkest creatures while also building a sanctuary for those who, like Bianca, had never chosen the life of a vampire but were determined to make the best of it. Their journey had taken them across continents, through the darkest corners of the supernatural world, and now, it had led them to Paris.
The night was cool, the air crisp with the scent of autumn as the three of them stood near the base of the Eiffel Tower. The iconic structure loomed above them, its iron lattice glowing against the inky sky, the lights twinkling like stars scattered across the city. Paris was alive with its usual charm. The Seine River reflecting the shimmering lights of the city. It was beautiful, almost too beautiful for the weight of the moment that hung in the air.
Bianca took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on the tower, but her mind was elsewhere. The journey to find her mother had been long and arduous, filled with dead ends and heartbreak. Yet, Jade had never given up. She had followed every lead, every whisper, until finally, they had found themselves here, standing on the cusp of a revelation that Bianca had both yearned for and feared.
They began walking, the cobblestone streets of Paris echoing beneath their footsteps as they made their way to a small shop nestled in a quiet corner of the city. The shop was unassuming from the outside, its windows filled with artifacts and artwork that hinted at a deeper, more mysterious purpose. The sign above the door was faded, the name of the shop barely legible, but there was something about the place that felt right, something that pulled Bianca forward.
They pushed open the door, a small bell ringing to announce their arrival. The interior of the shop was dimly lit. The walls were lined with shelves overflowing with artifacts from every corner of the world—ancient times, relics, and pieces of art that whispered of histories long forgotten.
“I’ll be right with you,” a woman’s voice called from the back of the shop.
Bianca’s heart skipped a beat. She knew that voice. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at Jade, who gave her a reassuring nod.
Moments later, a woman emerged from the shadows, her movements graceful, her presence commanding. Bianca’s breath hitched as she took in the sight of her. The woman was tall, her dark hair flowing free , her eyes a deep, familiar brown. The woman Bianca had longed for, the woman she had grieved for was standing in front of her. There was something different, something more powerful about her now, a shift that Bianca now understood deep within her.
“Mom…” The word slipped from Bianca’s lips, trembling with the weight of years of longing and loss.
The woman froze, her eyes locking onto Bianca’s, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. Recognition dawned in her eyes, followed by shock, and then something else—something that mirrored the emotions swirling in Bianca’s heart.
“Bianca?” Her mother’s voice was a whisper, barely audible, as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
Bianca didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward, her arms wrapping around her mother in a fierce embrace. She clung to her, tears welling in her eyes as the reality of the moment sank in. Her mother, she was here, in her arms, finally.
Her mother was hesitant at first, her hands hovering uncertainty before finally settling around Bianca, returning the embrace. But as she held her daughter, something changed. She felt the shift in Bianca, the new strength, the energy pulsing through her veins. And in that instant, she knew—they were the same now.
“I missed you so much,” Bianca whispered, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face.
Her mother tightened her hold on her, her own tears falling as years of separation melted away in the warmth of their embrace. “I’ve missed you too, my sweet girl,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “I never wanted to stay away, but I had to… to keep you safe. To keep your dad safe. I didn’t want either of you to see..me in this way”
Bianca pulled back slightly, looking up at her mother through tear-filled eyes. “Dad is gone,” she whispered, her voice trembling with regret. “But so is Marcel.”
Her mother’s face fell, grief and understanding passing between them in a shared silence. Jade watched from a distance, her heart swelling with emotion as she witnessed the reunion. She had fought so hard for this moment, had done everything in her power to give Bianca back a piece of the life she had lost. And now, seeing them together, she knew it had all been worth it.
“Jade Valentine.” There was a rich, regal tone to Bianca’s mother’s voice as she addressed her.
“You know who she is?” Bianca asked, surprise coloring her tone.
Her mother nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. Without a word, she turned and disappeared into a back room, leaving them standing in confusion. Moments later, she reemerged, holding a weathered book in her hands. “I may not have been there with you,” she began, “but I did everything in my power to protect you, with a little help from some Wiccan friends.”
Bianca took the book from her mother’s hands, her fingers tracing the worn edges as she opened it. Jade and Naomi crowded around her, curiosity piqued. The pages were filled with notes, sketches, and symbols—pieces of a puzzle that Bianca never knew existed.
“There was a protection spell that I asked to be put on you,” her mother continued. “In doing so, the witch who cast the spell sensed a force, an energy, already within your essence. She was able to pull an image from her visions, a face that she saw over and over again. I did my research through some powerful connections.” Her mother’s voice grew proud as she spoke. “I wrote down everything I could find, it helped to deal with not being there with you, knowing I wasn’t alone in wanting to protect you.”
As they read through the pages, the pieces began to fall into place. The history that had been hidden from them, the secrets that had shaped their lives, were now revealed. Jade’s past, the reason her sister had turned on her, was connected to a love so powerful it threatened to bring down the darkest forces of the supernatural world. Centuries ago, Jade had fallen in love with a human woman—Bianca’s spitting image. Their union was foretold to be the end of her sister’s reign of terror, a reign that aligned with the very evil that Marcel embodied. To prevent this, her sister had a dark witch cast a spell to erase Jade’s memories of the woman she was destined to love for eternity. Afterward, she stabbed Jade, and in her rage, also killed the human woman who was Bianca in another life.
Jade smiled, her gaze locking with Bianca’s as the truth settled between them. “I told you,” she murmured, her voice soft but full of conviction. “I told you, our souls were destined.”
Bianca’s heart swelled with emotion, a smile spreading across her face as she realized the depth of their connection. “I can’t believe this,” she said, her voice tinged with awe and joy.
Naomi, who had been quietly absorbing the revelation, shook her head with a smirk. “And I can’t even get a text back,” she teased, breaking the intensity of the moment and earning a round of chuckles from the others.
As the night deepened around them, the Eiffel Tower stood tall in the distance, its lights shimmering like stars over the City of Light. Bianca, Jade, and Naomi spent the rest of the evening catching up with Bianca’s mother, the bond between them growing stronger with every word, every shared glance. For the first time in a long time, Bianca’s heart was full. She had lost so much, but in return, she had gained something far more precious—a mother who had never truly left her, a love that transcended lifetimes, and an eternity filled with new possibilities.
The End