December 2028 arrived, bringing the first dustings of snow to Clocksville. The town's quiet charm offered a comforting façade, but within Celeste's mansion, tension simmered just beneath the surface. She sat alone in her private study, staring at the faint blue lines of a pregnancy test.
Her hand trembled as she set it down. For the third time in her life, Celeste carried a child—a secret child she knew wouldn't survive to be born.
She leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes. Marcus and Liam had been absorbed in their rituals, fully convinced the offerings of fish blood were enough to appease The Circle. But Celeste knew better. Eleanor would demand more.
The phone in her hand felt heavier than ever as she dialed Eleanor's number. She inhaled deeply, preparing to tell the woman she was ready for the sacrifice. But before the first ring could complete, the phone buzzed in her hand. Eleanor was already calling.
"Celeste," Eleanor's cool voice filled the line as soon as Celeste picked up. "We need to talk."
Celeste froze. "I was just about to call you."
Eleanor's laugh was low and humorless. "How considerate. I assume it's about your…condition?"
Celeste's blood ran cold. "You know?"
"I always know, darling," Eleanor said smoothly. "But that's not why I'm calling. It's about Julian."
The mention of his name hit Celeste like a brick. "Julian?"
"Yes," Eleanor said, her tone sharp now. "Do you think I wouldn't find out that he planned to expose everything? The Circle, your sacrifices, even his bond to you?"
Celeste's hand tightened around the phone. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying," Eleanor replied, her voice darkening, "that he needed to be dealt with. I couldn't allow him to destroy everything we've built. So, I handled it."
Celeste's heart sank. "You're telling me…you killed him?"
"I'm telling you that he made his choice," Eleanor snapped. "And I made mine. He was a liability, Celeste. I thought you would understand that by now."
Celeste stared out the window, her mind racing. She had suspected foul play, but hearing it confirmed left her shaken.
"What do you want from me?" Celeste asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Simple," Eleanor said. "You're ready for the next step. You wouldn't have called me otherwise. The sacrifice of your third child will solidify your power and ensure your position in the Circle remains unchallenged. It will also keep Marcus and Liam safe—if you care about them at all."
The mention of Marcus and Liam sent a jolt through Celeste. Eleanor knew how to exploit her every vulnerability.
"I'll do it," Celeste said, her voice steady despite the storm raging within her.
"Good," Eleanor said, satisfaction dripping from her words. "I'll make the arrangements. And Celeste…"
"What?"
"Don't ever question my decisions again. Julian was weak, but you? You're stronger than that. Prove it."
The line went dead.
Celeste sat motionless, the weight of Eleanor's words pressing down on her. Julian's death, her unborn child, the web of lies she had spun to protect Liam and Marcus—it all felt suffocating.
A soft knock at the door startled her. "Come in," she called, forcing her voice to sound normal.
Marcus entered, his expression unreadable. "You've been quiet all morning," he said, sitting across from her. "Something wrong?"
Celeste hesitated, then shook her head. "Just…thinking about everything."
Marcus studied her for a moment, then leaned back. "You're not the only one. Liam's been asking questions about the rituals. I think he's starting to realize they're more…symbolic than anything."
Celeste frowned. "And what about you?"
"I trust you," Marcus said simply.
The sincerity in his voice caught Celeste off guard. She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Thank you."
That evening, Celeste joined Liam and Marcus by the fireplace. Liam had spent the day decorating the house for Christmas, his usual carefree demeanor masking the tension he still felt.
As they sipped wine and shared stories, Celeste felt a flicker of hope. Despite everything, there was still a semblance of normalcy in their lives.
But as the night wore on, Celeste's thoughts drifted back to Eleanor's call. The clock was ticking, and she knew she couldn't delay the inevitable.
She glanced at Marcus and Liam, their laughter filling the room. They had no idea what she was about to do—what she would sacrifice to protect them.
For now, she would keep her secrets. But the price of those secrets was growing heavier by the day.
….