Chapter 31

**ASHLEY**

I had been here for hours, sitting on the cold, hard ground with my back pressed against the damp wall. My head rested against it, eyes closed, but I wasn’t asleep—not even close.

How could I possibly sleep in a place like this?

I was in the witch’s lair, the tunnel where her evil deeds were undoubtedly plotted and executed. Every shadow felt alive, every distant sound an echo of something sinister.

The air was heavy, suffocating, as though the walls themselves were closing in on me.

It had to be evening by now. I’d been stuck here for what felt like an eternity, with nothing but the oppressive silence and my own racing thoughts to keep me company.

It can’t all be circles... I told myself for the hundredth time.

I stood up, brushing the dirt off my hands and legs. My body ached from sitting on the unforgiving ground for so long, but I couldn’t stay still any longer.

“I have to find a way out,” I muttered to myself.

It was very dark and dusty; I could hardly see. Yes, it was nighttime, but still, surprisingly, why was it darker? I kept walking, hoping I wouldn’t keep walking in circles, bringing me back again.

I was scared, very scared. I could hear my own heartbeat. I folded my hands tightly as I felt the sweat in my palms. I tried my best not to cry—I was much stronger than that now.

I’m just lost, that’s all, and I believe I’ll find my way out. Definitely, I will. But now, something was strange. It felt like I wasn’t walking in circles anymore. I needed to confirm if I was wrong or if I had just imagined some kind of miracle.

As I walked, my eyes were fixed on the wall, looking to see if my name was written there, but I couldn’t see it. I sighed, feeling relieved.

Then there was this little light I could see from afar. I started running as fast as my legs could take me—I needed to get out. There was some kind of miracle, and now an exit—maybe the exit that would lead outside the library.

As I got closer, I could see an opening. My heart was beating with joy as I kept walking even further. Now I was facing the opening. "Yes," I said as I ran outside. But my happiness dropped—I was in the woods. The cool night air brushed against my skin, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

I glanced back at the tunnel, I had made it out, but not to safety, not yet. The forest stretched out before me, the shadows of trees swaying eerily under the pale moonlight.

For a brief moment, the thought crossed my mind: This could be my chance to escape Zade's kingdom, to leave all of this madness behind. But the idea quickly faded. I didn’t want to run anymore, not from him. As much as I hated to admit it, a part of me felt tethered to Zade, to his world.

I looked up and saw the faint lights of his kingdom glowing in the distance, a beacon calling me back. With a steadying breath, I tightened my grip on the edges of my dress and started walking in that direction.

The forest was alive with the sounds of the night—rustling leaves, distant howls, and the occasional snap of twigs beneath my feet. My heart raced at every unfamiliar noise, but I pressed on, determined to reach the kingdom.

As I walked forward, I couldn't help but wonder: What if the witch was still watching me? What if this was all part of her plan? The thought made me shiver, but I shook it off. Right now, my focus was on getting back. Whatever answers I needed would have to wait.

And then I heard it—a scream. It echoed from somewhere deep in the woods, sharp and desperate. My chest tightened, and I turned without thinking, heading straight into the forest. Someone was in trouble.

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, the trees blurring around me. The scream grew louder, pulling me closer, but when I got near, I skidded to a stop.

A massive rock loomed nearby, and I ducked behind it, trying to steady my breathing. Peeking around the edge, my stomach dropped. There, in the clearing, stood the witch, her dark figure cloaked in shadow. But that wasn’t what froze me in place.

Zoey was there.

She was on her knees, her hands tied behind her back, her face pale but defiant. My heart raced as I tried to process what I was seeing. What was she doing here? Why would she come to a place like this?

"I'll tell King Zade what you are, you wicked witch," Zoey spat, her voice trembling but fierce.

The witch tilted her head, her laugh cold and cruel. "Oh, sweet girl," she sneered, "you won't live to see tomorrow, so how will you tell him anything?"

I clenched my fists, panic and fury swirling in my chest. I had to do something, and fast. But the voice in my head whispered caution. Don’t be reckless, Ashley.

I ignored it. Zoey didn’t have time for me to hesitate.

Steeling myself, I stepped out from behind the rock, my heart thundering in my ears. The witch’s attention snapped to me, and even though her face was hidden beneath her hood, I felt her icy gaze pierce through me.

"Ashley," she purred, her voice dripping with mockery. "What a surprise. I wasn’t expecting you here."

"You should let her go," I said . "It’s me you want, not her."

The witch paused, her head tilting slightly as if considering my words. Then she laughed.

"I can’t," she replied. 

"She knows more than she should."

Her words didn’t make sense, but before I could question her, Zoey’s bindings snapped loose. She stumbled to her feet and darted toward me, her movements frantic. That’s when I saw it—her eyes.

They weren’t their usual color. They glowed a dark, golden hue, and her hair on her skin began to raise  as if charged by some unseen energy. A sickening sound filled the air, like bones cracking and shifting.

"I’ll make you pay!" Zoey snarled.

"Zoey, no!" I shouted.

But she didn’t listen. With a furious scream, she turned and lunged at the witch.

The witch merely raised her hand, calm and unbothered. In an instant, Zoey was yanked off the ground, suspended mid-air as if held by invisible strings.

"Foolish girl," the witch hissed.

the witch sent Zoey flying. Time seemed to slow as Zoey's body hurtled toward the rock beside me. The sickening thud of her impact made my stomach lurch.

"Zoey!" I cried, dropping to my knees beside her.

Her head was bleeding badly, crimson staining her hair and pooling beneath her. Her breaths were shallow, her golden eyes flickering as if struggling to stay open.

Terror and rage coursed through me as I looked up at the witch. Her grin was wicked.

I stormed through the woods, my anger burning hotter with every step. My blood boiled with rage, and I could feel my bones shifting, my transformation clawing its way to the surface. I sprinted toward the witch, leaping into the air as my body morphed mid-flight. Time seemed to slow as I crashed down on her with all my might. It all happened so fast.

But before I could land the final blow, the witch muttered a spell, vanishing in a swirl of dark energy and reappearing beside Zoey. She grabbed Zoey by the throat, hoisting her into the air. Zoey struggled, her eyes wide with fear. My heart pounded as I lunged toward them, desperate to stop what came next.

Before I could act, the witch twisted Zoey’s neck with a sickening snap. Her body crumpled to the ground, lifeless. I froze, staring at her still form, the world around me shattering as grief and fury overtook me.