RAMSEY BIANCHI

"I was trained in the mystical arts when I was about... fifteen? I think." Elias squinted one eye as he recalled, I happily ate the ice cream that Elias had bought me. "Blade only hunts vampires, but he had connections, those connections saw potential in me, so they decided to mentor me."

I nodded, arching an eyebrow. "From what I'm hearing, your personal life is, like, this huge conspiracy theory. Nobody really knows the real tea."

Elias cackled, stumbling to the side from laughter before falling back to my side as we strolled down Central Park. "I wouldn't say conspiracy. I mean, my life is far from ordinary, it's exciting and full of near-death experiences-"

"So cool." I nodded, continuing to eat my chocolate ice cream.

Elias nods his head from side to side. "Ehh, no, not always that cool. My forte isn't fighting, it's knowledge, I absorb words like a sponge. It's what I like to do, read and learn."

"Aww, you're so cute, I see why Gwen has taken a liking to you." I teased, Elias fought back a smile, but it soon broke out, his cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "You're blushing! Omg, you're actually blushing, hold on, let me take a picture."

I pretended to fumble for my phone only for Elias to playfully push me to the side, I almost dropped my cone. "Don't you dare. Don't you dare betray me like this, Bianchi!"

"I'm kidding! I'm kidding, jeez." I chuckled, Elias playfully glared at, as we peacefully continued our walk.

"What about you? You haven't shared anything on your end, I literally just told you everything. From becoming Blade's apprentice to how I became a walking library."

I bite the waffle and thought of what to say. "Well, I guess I'll share my tragic story, but I'm giving you the summarized version because I don't want to get sad."

"Whatever makes you feel comfortable."

I blew a raspberry and looked ahead as we walked. "I lost my parents when I was six years old, the day of my birthday. We were in Honduras. Someone had followed us and crashed our car, my mom died from the impact and my dad was stabbed by a man. I lived. Aunt Ivana is my mom's sister, she took me in, and I've lived with them ever since." I glanced at Elias, who quietly listened. "Powers? I was just an empath. Gosh, imagine going to high school and being an empath, school was truly hell for me, but I like to think I'm a strong person. Which is a given because I didn't kill myself back then."

Elias chuckled along with me. "What about Hayek?"

"Well, it all started with Dr. Connors, who used to be Gwen's mentor. He built this artificial body, like a full-fledged synthezoid, who looked just like his deceased son. He used some kind of gem to bring him back to life, though he was actually bringing Hayek back to life, he didn't know it then." I explained. "Hayek then awoke these powers in me, she mentioned she didn't give them to me, I always had them, but it had been dormant since I come from a long lineage of witches. The Walker's."

Elias looked at me, a flash of recognition passed through his ebony eyes. "I think I've heard that name before."

My first instinct was to question him more about it when a familiar voice called out behind me. "Ramsey!"

Elias and I stopped walking and looked over our shoulders to see Peter running towards me, I shared a look with my new friend, and he gave me an understanding smile. "Hey," Peter smiled once he caught up to us, his eyes then trailed to Elias who gave him a nod. "Elias, right?"

"You must be Peter." Elias stretched out his hand and Peter immediately shook it. "Nice to finally meet you, she just won't shut up about you."

"Oh, is that right?" Peter threw me a content look, I rolled my eyes and pinched Elias's arm.

He moved away from me and said his goodbye before making his way back to the shop. I gave Elias one last look before meeting those warm chocolate eyes. "Hey, you." I leaned into him and stole a kiss, Peter kissed my forehead before grabbing my hand and pulling me along with him.

"So, what's up?" I asked him, I could tell something was bothering him, he had that guilty look in his eyes. "What happened?"

He ran a hand over his face and groaned in frustration. "Everything around me just seems to be falling apart, and I can't stop it."

"What happened?" I frowned, my voice was more grave as I realized something was actually wrong.

"Harry is dying." He began, I threw the rest of the cone on the garbage can before standing in front of him and taking him by his arms. "He has the same disease as his father, apparently it's hereditary. Somehow he's convinced that my blood will save him because one of its properties is self-healing."

I stared at him in confusion. "Then give him your blood." He shook his head, looking at me with a sad look. "Why not?"

"I can't."

"Why not?" I pressed.

"Because it could be dangerous for him, there's a fifty percent chance my blood will only make things worse." He explained. "I want to save him. I really, really do. But I cannot put him at risk, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I killed him."

"Then run tests, do what you Science people do." My eyes widened as I tried to give him a solution, Peter blew a raspberry and took a step away from me, my hands slipped from his arms.

Peter ran a hand over his hair and shook his head, his eyes finally found mine. "He doesn't have much time. He refuses to spend his time alive running tests and researching like his father. He wasn't to be saved now, no matter the cost."

I sigh in defeat. "I see," My feet carried me to him and I embraced him, standing on my tippy-toes, so I could hug his neck properly. "I'm sorry, Peter." His arms hugged me tighter, and I could feel just how much he needed the reassurance, and here I was, arguing with him. "Just keep in mind what I told you, about still being a hero whether you save everyone or just a few. You did the right thing, you protected your friend. Let's just hope he'll come to understand that before it's too late."

He marveled at me, his eyes held this light which single-handedly swoon me. "What would I do without you in my life?" I rolled my eyes, but the smile remain on my dry lips. "I'll tell you. I'd be lost in this vast and lonely world without you."

After today's training, I made it home fairly early, when I arrived home I noticed my family were in the kitchen. I made my way toward them, still wearing my vans, when I approached them I quickly noticed a bunch of boxes on the kitchen island, and the path toward the basement was wet. I stood by the threshold, not daring to enter the mess that now resided in the kitchen. Ethan was looking at some old stuff and asking his mom about them, Aunt Ivana was busy on her phone, and there was no sight of Connor.

"Did we get a pool or something?" I announce my arrival, Ethan and Aunt Ivana both glance up at the same time.

"You're home early, good." I frown, she crossed her arms over her chest and gave me a scolding look. "How is it that I'm hearing you haven't been applying to any colleges?"

I made a clicking sound with my tongue. "Yeah... about that. I was thinking about taking the rest of the year off."

My Aunt looked at me in bewilderment. "Absolutely not. And spend your time doing what? Nothing? When you can respond to those scholarship letters we've been receiving."

"I will, but right now... I don't want to go to college." I told her, Ethan glanced between us too as if expecting something to blow up. "I just want to work, earn some money, and then go to college next year."

"If it's about the money you know very well that isn't an issue." She told me sternly. "Honestly, what is going on with you lately, Ramsey? You walk around as if you carry a burden with you, I can see something is wrong, you've changed this past six months. I demand to know what's going on."

Ethan dropped the things inside the box before getting up from his seat, he motioned at the basement. "I'm... I'm gonna go... and help Connor."

I rubbed my eyes stressfully, my arms braided over my chest, as we waited for Ethan to disappear before continuing our conversation. "Listen, I don't understand why you're so riled up about the idea of me taking the rest of the year. It's not like I'm gonna spend it indoors 24/7, doing nothing."

"Ramsey, you've worked your butt at becoming Midtown's best track runner." She began. "All in hopes of getting a scholarship, and now you're telling me you wanna put this off? Just like that?"

I shrugged. "Yes, auntie, just like that. Now, can you please drop it?"

"I will." She nodded, making her way around the kitchen island to stand in front of me with crossed arms. "Once you tell me what's really going on with you."

"Nothing's going on!" I raised my voice, already losing my patience. "Jesus, I'm fine!"

"No, you're not. Something's going on." She insisted. "Why won't you tell me? We used to trust each other, you used to tell me everything, and now I feel like I barely know you."

I shook my head, dropping my arms to my side in defeat as I took a few steps back. "I can't deal with this. I already told you nothing's going on."

"Ramsey, I'm not joking. I demand-"

I scoff. "Demand? Who'd you think you are?" I took a menacing step forward, my voice growing deeper and angrier. "You're not my mother, so quit acting as if you were!"

My voice resonated against the walls of our home, Aunt Ivanna stared at me in shock and hurt. Her dark brown eyebrows furrowed as a look of betrayal took over her usually calm features. I knew my words had wounded her heart, but I couldn't allow her to find out the truth. But I'm aware I took it too far, I should've come up with a lie instead of shouting mean things to her face.

I took a step back as if that simple action could take back my words. My eyes glanced at the entrance of the basement to see Connor and Ethan standing there, both looking at me with shocked eyes. I looked away in shame, Aunt Ivanna glanced at her son's and quickly composed herself.

"Oh, well, you're most certainly right." I shook my head, my mouth opened to apologize, but she carried on talking. "I am not your mother. I am not EvaLuna. I'm sorry if I ever made you feel as if I was substituting her, that was never my intention. You're my niece and I care for you, I should know my place."

"Auntie..."

She held her hand up, silencing me. "No, Ramsey. The damage is already done." She gave me a forced smile. "Do what you want, you're already an adult. I am in no position to tell you what to do anymore."

I watched her walk away looking extremely dejected, my hands ran down my face as I couldn't believe I had spoken those words. I was such a bitch.

"What the hell, Ramsey?" Ethan glared at me as he went after his mother, I stood by the threshold of the kitchen, looking extremely guilty.

Connor sighs, his hands resting on his hips as he looks at me condescendingly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that," I told him.

"Come, help me with something." I sigh but obeyed, I didn't want to cause any more trouble.

I took off my shoes and sock before rolling the ends of my jeans up. I was careful not to slip due to the water that still coated the basement floor. I noticed most boxes and my gym stuff were sitting on tables, away from the water and risk damaging something.

"What do I do?"

He pointed at some boxes that were getting wet by being on the floor. "Try and see if we can salvage some of those boxes. What can't, leave it there, we'll throw it away later."

I nodded. "Okay."

"So, while you do that and I fix this, you're going to tell me what has you so riled up." I sigh, glancing over my shoulder at Connor, who looked at me sternly before squatting down and continuing to fix the leak. "Does it have to do with Gwen?"

I frown, glancing at him before continuing to dig through some books and salvage those who were still dry. "What about Gwen?"

"You don't know?" Connor questioned, I shook my head. "She's leaving for England. I don't know when, but she's leaving soon."

"What?" I spun around, almost dropping the books in my arms. "Who told you that?"

"My mom." Connor didn't bother looking at me as he taped the water pipe. "She just got a call from Gwen's mom who broke the news. That's why she wanted to know what your plans were for college, she thought you might've applied to Oxford secretly, since you and Gwen are tight."

I shook my head. "No, I didn't. I had no idea Gwen had even applied there. So, she's leaving?"

"You might want to ask her as soon as you're finished here." Connor stood up and grabbed his toolbox before setting them on the table, he motioned at the door. "I'll go see how mom's doing."

"Connor," I called out for him, he stopped and looked at me and half turned. "Tell her I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean those words, I'm a bitch."

He chuckled. "We say mean things when we're angry. I'll pass on your apology, but it's best if she heard you herself."

I nodded and watched him leave, the basement was soon engulfed with silence except for the ripple effect I caused on the water whenever I moved. I quickly made room for the books that could still be saved, as I dug and dug and dug, I came across something.

It was an old journal with a W written in cursive and gold ink. I cocked my head to the side and felt drawn to the book. I reached out and grabbed the old thing, I opened the book at a random page and noticed its writing.

"Latin?" I guessed I had grown familiar with its writing due to my extensive practice with spells led by Elias Magnuson. "Why do we have a spellbook?"

I kept leafing through the yellowish pages of the journal, there were drawings of how to carry out our rituals. I also noticed there was a drawing of the same magic rings I use to defend myself, it was titled 'Relics: Sorcerer Supreme' and there were also drawings of different weapons, one of them I recognized as Elias Staff. It was titled, The Staff of the Living Tribunal.

"What is this?" I found myself whispering, as I went through the pages, I came across a folded piece of paper. A letter.

I took it and opened it.

Dear Walker,

In this journal, you'll find the necessary to defeat the Witch of The Afterlife. If you came across this letter, then it means the time has come for us to make the ultimate sacrifice and break the cycle of violence by putting an end to both forces. You are a descendant of the lineage of pure-blooded witches, millions and millions of women had fought this evil, but here I sit and write to the future and hopefully the last witch to put an end to this circle of life and death.

These forces aren't meant to be wielded by humans, it was a mistake to bestow so much power in such a mortal vessel. It's best to restore balance by allowing it to make these choices, to give life or take it. So I took the liberty of conjuring a spell that will be able to put an end to this, but it requires a high price.

In order to perish the wheel, both forces must die. Yes, you must sacrifice your own life, and by doing so you will be saving humanity and ending this vicious cycle of violence.

Our sisters, their deaths will stop being in vain.

You know what you have to do, please... have the courage to do the right thing.

Sincerely,

EvaLuna Walker.

"Mom?" I gasped, she knew. She knew who we were, what we were destined to be.

No matter what the world throws at us, Little moon, we'll always be a family. I pressed the letter against my chest, closing my eyes and feeling my eyes water. No matter the distance or the fights, we all live in each other's hearts, forever. The three of us against the world.

We are here, little moon. I imagined them saying as I picked the phone and dialed Elias's number. You will not be alone.

"Hello? Ramsey? Hey, I figured out why the name sounded so familiar." Elias began, but I cut him off.

"I know how to defeat Hayek," I blurt out, "this time forever."