"Harriette, what do you think Drake's next move will be?" The king's voice echoed as he stared into the mirror, Harriette's reflection faintly visible behind him.
"I'm not sure..." Her voice wavered. The king's grip tightened around a glass, and it shattered on the floor.
"To win a race, you must know your abilities and your rivals'... in all challenges."
"You're right... Luna and Drake are close, but we must stay ahead or risk falling behind." Harriette's fingers danced across the piano keys.
"So, what's our move?"
"What did the council say?"
"They can't be trusted. Betrayal is in the air. We need to act fast."
"Every hundred years, a sun child is born... it's time."
The king wandered into the dark woods, stopping in an open field. Strange sounds filled the air.
"Show yourself!" he demanded, spinning in circles. A werewolf lunged at him, knocking him down. They rolled across the ground until the king slammed his staff onto the creature. It howled, transforming into Drake.
Minutes passed in silence, their eyes locked in an intense stare.
"The staff isn't yours, King. Luna will rise, and all power will be hers." The king chuckled, but Drake transformed into a bird and pecked his neck.
The king collapsed, and Drake shifted back into a werewolf, biting into his flesh. The king's consciousness faded.
---
Ximena turned and found him asleep beside her. Gently, she separated their bodies, grabbed her phone, and left.
It was still early, but her mind raced. Dressed for hiking, she reached the mountain peak and sat on a rock, tears trickling down. Something felt off. Her heart pounded, and steam escaped her nostrils. A flash of light hit the rock, reflecting in her eyes, which now burned with fire.
Suddenly, darkness consumed Amethyst, but her eyes continued to blaze. She looked down at her palm, her power surging.
---
"She's your girlfriend..." Willow's eyes were glued to the TV. Rex stood by the staircase, tense.
"You haven't seen Ximena today?" Rex asked. Willow, still relaxed, adjusted the remote.
The sky darkened. "What's happening?" Willow rushed to the window, unable to see anything. Rex turned on his phone flashlight.
"Ximena!"
Willow fumbled for a torchlight, hands shaking. When the power returned, she exhaled in relief. Then, there was a knock at the door. Mr. Williams stood there, sunlight streaming in behind him.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded. "Rex doesn't want to see you."
"I'm here to see Ximena," he said, glancing over her shoulder.
Rex appeared, his teeth clenched, eyes blazing. Willow backed away as Rex grabbed Williams' arm.
"Where is she? Have you killed her like you...?" His voice trailed off. "She slept here last night, but she was gone this morning."
"She messaged me, said she was here, scared because the lights went out," Williams explained, showing his phone.
"She's not your friend!" Rex snarled. "And she never will be, because you're evil."
Williams shrugged and headed upstairs. Rex's eyes widened as he followed. Willow, shaking her head, tiptoed after them.
From downstairs, they heard the door slam shut. "Willow!" Rex yelled, as she tossed the keys into the trash.
"Sort your issues!" she shouted, exhaling heavily as she settled onto the couch.
---
Thirty minutes passed before the door creaked open. Ximena stood there, glaring at Willow.
"You hate me. I hate you back," Ximena said, stepping inside. Willow pulled her into a hug.
"Please don't. My dad and my brother might kill each other upstairs..." Willow whispered, voice breaking.
Ximena gently pushed her away, smiling. Willow blinked away tears as Ximena made her sit down.
"I'll get popcorn for the movie," Ximena said.
In the kitchen, Ximena poured the popcorn into the pan. Before she could turn on the stove, it started popping. Her eyes widened. She touched the tap, and the water became violent. Panic filled her as she quickly turned it off, struggling to breathe.
---
Meanwhile, Willow picked up Ximena's buzzing phone. No lock. She scrolled through, her heart sinking at the sight of her brother in compromising photos with Valerie. A message popped up: "Maybe it's time you knew who your future husband really is." Willow deleted the conversation, eyes burning with anger.
With a bitter smirk, she shut off the lights and slid beneath the duvet, her heart cold. Ximena reappeared, two bowls of popcorn in hand, her face pale from what had just happened in the kitchen. She placed them on the table with a nervous laugh.
"I'll get the wine," Willow said, her voice low.
Ximena poured the wine into their glasses, but something felt wrong. She glanced down as the wine bubbled, almost boiling. She put the glass down, her hands trembling.
Willow took a sip, forcing herself to smile. "Willow, don't you think it's time we checked on the guys upstairs?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Willow shook her head, taking another gulp of wine. "It's too hot. Way too hot."
Ximena hesitated but raised her glass in response, forcing a smile. Before it touched her lips, the glass shattered in her hand.
"Oops," Ximena whispered, her voice strained. "Must be expired glassware."
---
In the bedroom, Rex was on the phone, wrapped in a white robe. He sipped wine, closed his laptop, and sighed. Willow entered with two glasses of water.
"You need to learn about privacy, young lady," Rex grumbled.
Willow tilted one glass, spilling water all over him.
"What the—Willow, what is this about?"
"Rexford Williams, you're just like Dad. A betrayer."
Rex's mind raced. "If this is about your allowance—"
"You've betrayed the one person you love, just like Dad did. With her sister! How could you?"
Tears streamed down her face. Willow stormed out, leaving Rex grappling with her words.