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“How did you manage to revive your lands?” I asked.
“Without Vedoma’s threat, I could use my powers fully. And I couldn’t let my special guests enter their roles in an unkept forest. Come inside. I have something brewing in the cauldron.”
Not long after, Anca appeared at Muma Padurii’s door. Then Tiberiu and a few werewolf companions, and lastly, Solomonarul and Teodora.
“Ielele are arriving later in the night,” Tiberiu said.
“I must bring my father as well,” Gabriel said with a sad demeanor. “I wish Marius would’ve been with us as well.”
I knew Gabriel was hurt deeply about his missing brother. We hadn’t heard about his whereabouts since the eclipse.
“I’m sure he’ll appear soon,” said Solomonarul as he patted Gabriel on the back.
“The sun is almost ready to set. I must hurry and bring my parents as well,” Gabriel said. “Is there anything else you need from me?” He asked Muma Padurii.
“Just your willingness to go through the ritual,” she said.
Gabriel left without answering. His nervousness felt palpable. I rushed after him. “Gabriel, can I join you?” I asked.
“No, I simply must bring my parents.”
“Just know I’ll be with you all the way.”
“I know, my love,” he said as he looked at me lovingly and embraced me.
After he left, the shadows of the night covered the entire forest, but Gabriel didn’t return yet. My heart thumped like a drum. What if he got lost? What if he changed his mind? Maybe he never intended to go through the ritual. I turned toward my friends and expressed my worries. “What if Gabriel got lost or didn’t want to do it?” I asked.
“Traveling with a carriage through the woods probably took longer than Gabriel planned. I’m sure they’re going to be here anytime soon,” said Solomonarul.
But time passed, and there was no Gabriel in sight.
“I believe we should start with your ritual, Milady,” said Muma Padurii.
“But I wish Gabriel to witness it as well.”
“His ritual takes longer. It’s best to save time.” Muma Padurii insisted.
“Plus, we’ll be here with you,” said Teodora.
“Fine,” I agree reluctantly. “Will it hurt?” I asked.
“You won’t feel a thing.” Muma Padurii snickered.
This woman intended to play with my emotions till the end. “Where do you need me?” I asked.
“Let’s go to the middle of the meadow. Powerful spells need large spaces,” Muma Padurii said.
As we walked toward the meadow's center, my hands began to sweat. Who was I kidding? My entire body began dripping in sweat like freshly-hung laundry. My legs refused to listen, so I mainly tripped my way there. I had to force myself to breathe. Otherwise, I risked fainting on my journey to become a Time-Keeper.
“Do not fret, Milady. We can always find a way to revive Vedoma and make her a Time-Keeper,” Muma Padurii said.
“What? Can you revive her? No, no. I’m ready for anything, just not Vedoma.”
“I thought so.” Muma Padurii chuckled.
But my rattled nerves couldn’t calm down, and panic began rising in me.
“I jest, Milady,” said Muma Padurii. “You already defeated her. It is why you deserve to take her place. Now I need you to stand in the middle, Milady. Everyone else, make a circle and keep your distance.”
