Nia's POV
"I can't join you," I asserted firmly.
"Why? I understand your suspicions about me being a pawn of X. Trust me, Carmen, I also want to bring X down for what he did to our family. I want to shield you."
"If you truly want to protect me, then spill about the journal," I demanded, raising an eyebrow.
"The journal? I'm still piecing it all together, but I might know its location. It's in a vault deep within SanCasas. Your dad was clever enough to conceal it."
"How did you discover it?"
"I'm part of a protection agency aiming to take down X. He's dabbling into dark magic and initiating people into mysterious rituals.I don't know his endgame, but he's more dangerous than you realize."
"Like black magic?" Mencia queried.
"It's a dark magic called expression, and it's more dangerous than you think."
"How dangerous?" I asked.
"Expression is a form of extremely dark and powerful sorcery that supposedly draws on energy that is so malicious it would demolish the world if it were ever called into existence. The forces of Expression are considered so powerful that many witches discredit it as magic, for it expands beyond the limitations of both ancient and modern witchcraft."
"If it's so powerful, why hasn't he used it on Nia to find her and the journal?" Matt panicked.
"Am I also a witch? What am I?" I asked.
Aunt Cari chuckled, "Mi querida, you're not a witch, you're a guardian. Guardians are protectors of the universe, and your bloodline is too potent for him. Not even expression can kill a guardian."
"A guardian? Are there others like me out there? How did all this happen?"
"Generations ago, Carmen's paternal lineage was cursed to be the guardians of the universe. Every first male in the family inherits the journal containing the universe's secrets passed down by generations of the Jacksons," she explained. "Then, everything changed when your dad met Camille."
"What changed?" I inquired.
When he arrived in SanCasas to shield this town, it experienced a rare peace – no traffickers, terrorists, organ harvesters, no dark magic or people exploited for initiations. It was like he cast light, chasing away the shadows. He was an angel; I can't fathom how he did it, she added as the history unfolded.
"Your dad was a superhero," Mencia teased.
Then he fell for Camille. I recall the night your mom won Miss SanCasas; he came on stage and kissed her. Your mom also had a crush on him, but he was mysterious, claiming he was only in SanCasas temporarily. Soon, your mom got pregnant, and they had you. Your dad was disoriented, wanting a male child, but the enigma began when X started searching for him. He fled, leaving you at three years old, and never returned.
I immediately felt sadness – my dad left me. Calling himself a guardian but unable to protect his own family, what a shame. No wonder mom avoided talking about him, I remarked.
"Carmen, I think he had his reasons," she said, "He wasn't a bad guy, and your mom didn't tell you because she was scared you might get caught up in everything," she said, squeezing my hands. "What kind of reason," I said, pulling away. "That's abandonment, not protection."
"He was scared that you may not continue the legacy and also be in danger. He left your mom, and we never heard from him again. When you turned ten, your mom started seeing signs about you taking the legacy, and they started coming after you, so she left SanCasas. But this legacy is yours, yours to protect. All we have to do is find the journal before he finds it."
I sighed deeply, sinking into my chair, my head resting heavily on my hands, my legs trembling with uncertainty.
"It's not a choice, Carmen. You will be the first female protector in your bloodline. Prove your ancestors wrong and save SanCasas. She needs you," Aunt Cari's words echoed in my mind.
Mencia approached me and enveloped me in a comforting hug. "I know I may have been entangled in the darkness of SanCasas. I was, Juan was, but ever since you entered our lives, we've veered away from that darkness."
"Why?" I asked, intrigued.
"Because of your aura. I started having nightmares and guilt that I never experienced after the night I tried to harm you. Nia, you're a true protector. All we have to do is find that journal and activate your gift," she explained earnestly.
"Carmen, you're stronger than you know," Aunt Cari interjected. "The universe is with you, and they will bow to your command. Come with me, let's end everything."
"Okay, I'll go with you," I admitted, feeling a sense of resolve.
"I'll come too," Matt said, determination evident in his voice.
"Matthew, it's too dangerous for you," I protested.
"I'm not going to leave you, not anymore," he declared firmly.
As Mencia burst out laughing, she addressed Matt sternly, "Romeo, this isn't an ordinary game or something you can chicken out of. Any little mistake is death; you can easily get manipulated," she said as he scoffed.
"It's final, I'll go with you," he declared.
"What about your company?" I asked him, concern etched on my face. "Besides, you haven't even regained your memory," I added.
"Well, about that, I think I have," he confessed.
"Matt! You didn't tell me."
"Fine, fine, take him with you," Aunt Cari said.
"We leave now, before they find out where we are," she said, picking up her sunglasses and scarf, signaling readiness to depart.
As I bid farewell to Mencia, I pulled her into a tight hug, feeling the weight of the impending journey. "Goodbye, Mencia," I murmured softly. "Don't tell Juan I didn't leave SanCasas, alright?" I implored, searching her eyes for understanding, and she nodded solemnly.
"Take care of him for me," I added with a heartfelt tone, casting a final glance at Mencia before stepping out with Matt, following Aunt Cari into the unknown journey that awaited us.