Chapter 312
Everyone had gathered in the living room, everyone except Ravenna and Carlos.
“I’ll go bring them,” Gabriel offered, rising to his feet. But he paused midway when he saw the missing pair approaching from down the hallway.
“Sorry for keeping you all waiting,” Carlos said as he entered, walking alongside his grandmother.
The room subtly shifted in mood with Ravenna’s arrival. Out of respect for the elder, everyone stood. They waited until she lowered herself gracefully onto the sofa before taking their own seats.
“Grandma was in prayer,” Carlos explained, settling beside her. “It’s part of her daily routine, offering devotion to her deity every morning and evening p>
“Have either of you ever caught glimpses of your past lives?” Ravenna asked in a calm voice.
Amelie and Gabriel exchanged a quick glance before shaking their heads.
“But… I did have a nightmare,” Amelie admitted, deciding not to hide it from the elder witch.
Ravenna’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What kind of nightmare p>
“I was running through a forest,” Amelie began while fidgeting with her fingers. “Then I saw Gabriel lying on the ground… covered in blood. He was begging me to save him. And then, there was a woman. She told me this would happen if I stayed close to him p>
Gabriel leaned forward. “I had a similar dream… but I didn’t see you hurt p>
Amelie’s head snapped toward him. “And you didn’t think to tell me p>
Before the tension could rise further, Ravenna’s voice cut through the air. “The witch you will face is no ordinary one. I’ve searched through old texts about the marks you both bear. These marks are tied to a curse that demands a sacrifice. In every lifetime, one of you dies for the other p>
The room fell into stunned silence. Gabriel’s brothers and their mates exchanged uneasy glances.
Gabriel’s jaw tightened. “How do we break it p>
“Ophelia must die,” Ravenna said, her tone unyielding. “Her vengeance won’t burn out on its own. To truly end this, you both must remember your pasts… where it all began p>
Gabriel frowned. “And how do we do that p>
“Through your sleep,” Ravenna replied. “I will guide you into it. Luckily, a moon phase is coming when all planets will be aligned. You two also have to decide on a place for the ritual. I cannot see your past in full, and Ophelia, if she remains free, will never speak of it willingly since she doesn’t want any of you to live. A deep-rooted vengeance exists in her heart for both of you. Through Carlos, I already told you what it was, but to fully know the details, you two need to enter that time p>
“Is it even possible to go into the past?” Casaio asked, his voice tinged with skepticism. He had never put much faith in such things.
Dominick crossed his arms, echoing the doubt. “I’m wondering the same. It sounds like something out of an old tale p>
Ravenna’s gaze moved slowly between them. “I know… in this age of technology, such truths sound like fantasy. But the old ways have not vanished. They only hide until the right moment. And that moment will come, you’ll see for yourselves soon enough p>
Her eyes softened briefly as they drifted to Amelie’s rounded belly.
“I believe you,” Gabriel said firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “When will this… special celestial event happen p>
“Two months from now,” Ravenna answered without hesitation.
“Two months?” Amelie’s brows knitted, disbelief flashing across her face. “Isn’t that too long to wait p>
“Yes,” Ravenna admitted. “But the past does not open its doors at will. We must wait for the right time and the right alignment. Force it, and the cost will be far greater than you can bear p>
Gabriel’s fingers curled gently around Amelie’s as he caressed the back of her hand in reassurance.
“We’ll wait,” he said. “By then… Amelie will have given birth as well.” A positive hope lingered in his eyes, depicting that everything would turn out well.
Ravenna inclined her head, though her expression remained thoughtful. “Yes. And in those two months, I will take measures to keep Ophelia from making her move. Certain rituals must be performed… and I will need to visit the palace p>
“Of course,” Gabriel agreed without hesitation. Then a faint gleam entered his gaze. “There’s something I want to show you p>
Ravenna’s brows lifted. “And what would that be p>
Gabriel reached into the inner pocket of his coat and carefully drew out a broken locket, which Flora received.
“This locket was sent to Amelie’s sister by a woman,” Gabriel explained. He slipped his phone from his pocket and scrolled briefly before stepping closer to Ravenna. Lowering himself beside her, he turned the screen so she could see.
“We believe this woman is Ophelia,” he added.
Ravenna’s eyes lingered on the image. Then she lifted her hand. “Give me the locket p>
Gabriel placed the broken trinket into her palm. She turned it over slowly, her fingertips tracing the jagged edge where the stone had half-broken.
“How did it break?” Ravenna asked. “The stone it once held carried a dangerous spell p>
“Ah… I touched it out of curiosity, and it slipped from my hand,” Amelie admitted softly.
Ravenna’s eyes narrowed. “Did your sister ever wear it p>
“No,” Amelie replied at once, shaking her head.
A faint breath of relief escaped the elder’s lips. “Good. If she had, the woman who sent this locket could have taken control of her mind, and her will p>
Then, lifting her gaze to meet Gabriel’s, she continued, “The picture you show me can’t tell me if it was Ophelia. However, if she sent this locket, then it must be her p>
“Amelie, please ask your parents and sister to visit me tomorrow,” Ravenna stated.
“Sure, Grandma,” Amelie replied. “We are sorry for giving you so much trouble p>
“Don’t say that, dear. It’s not a trouble at all,” Ravenna pronounced with a warm smile. Then, she held Gabriel’s hand before patting it with the other. “Everything will turn out well p>