The police station reeked of stale air and damp papers. Cassie, wrapped in a coat too big for her, stared at the cold table in front of her. Her fingers were still trembling. She didn't know why she was there, or why they had found her unconscious in an abandoned lot with her car, burn marks on her hands, and a bag containing suspicious residue.
When the officer came to inform the Carter family, it was Ana who reacted first. She hadn't said a word to her mother until the latter tried to play the shock and panic act.
— Stop your circus now, Ana whispered through clenched teeth once alone with her. You'll get her out of here. Right now.
Grace looked at her coldly.
— What are you talking about? Are you crazy?
— You want me to tell the truth? I swear I'll do it. I don't care what happens to me. But she doesn't deserve this. You're the one who sent her there, you're the one who set everything up. Get her out of here, or I'll talk.
Grace met her daughter's gaze, and for the first time, Ana saw a flicker of hesitation.
— Are you willing to ruin everything for her? Grace asked calmly.
— You're the one ruining everything. I want to fix it.
__ Fine, as you wish.
The night was long. But as dawn broke, Grace was already at work. Her phone kept vibrating. Lawyers, judges, investigators, journalists: everyone was contacted. Grace Carter was rich, influential, and knew how to handle both seduction and intimidation.
The evidence against Cassie? It vanished like magic. The images, the residue, the suspicious objects… all were placed in an envelope that would never see the light of day. The lead investigator, a certain Pascal Demarais, fell under Grace's cold charm, and she made sure no charges would be pressed.
— In the absence of concrete evidence, we can't hold her any longer, he announced to the press.
By noon, Grace showed up at the station with a perfectly controlled smile. Cassie walked out, her eyes glazed, her features drawn. She didn't understand what was happening, but she felt as though a chasm was opening beneath her feet.
In the car, no one spoke for a long time.
— You won't have to come back here, Grace finally said. Everything's settled. But you need to leave. Tomorrow morning, your flight departs.
Cassie blinked, stunned.
— Leave? Where to?
— To another country. I... have a property there. Well, it's not exactly mine, it's for your father and... anyway, you'll be safe there.
— And... why? I don't understand.
— You need to rest, Cassie. You're not well. What you've been through must have traumatized you. Believe me, a bit of isolation and calm will do you the world of good.
Cassie didn't answer. A car? A plane ticket? A mansion abroad? It was happening too fast. Too clean. But she was too tired to protest.
— A car will be waiting for you at the hotel tomorrow. You'll catch the flight at 7:30. I've already arranged everything, Grace reassured her, handing her a folder.
Cassie took it mechanically.
— Why... why are you doing all this for me? she asked in a broken voice.
— Because I'm your mother. And I won't let anything happen to you.
Grace placed a cold kiss on her forehead.
__ I've even found you a job in a lab there.
But Cassie, sitting in the car, remained silent. Nothing was right. Her whole life there had just collapsed.
(At the Carter's house, 8 PM)
Cassie had been in her room for barely an hour, an open suitcase on the bed, her movements slow, almost mechanical. She was packing a few clothes, notebooks, her computer, and that old photo she kept hidden in a book — a photo where she, Ana, and Grace were still smiling, as if everything was fine.
She had just closed the suitcase when there was a soft knock at the door.
— Come in, she said, not really expecting a response.
It was Ana. She entered without a word, hands in the pockets of her oversized sweatshirt. She closed the door behind her and leaned against the wall.
— So... you're leaving, she murmured.
Cassie nodded gently.
— Apparently. Grace decided everything.
An uncomfortable silence fell. The two sisters had never really spoken their hearts. They had grown up in the same house, but it was as if they had lived in two separate worlds.
— I tried, you know, Ana said, staring at the floor. To spare you from this.
— I figured, Cassie replied without anger.
Ana stepped forward, tense.
— I'm not good with goodbyes, or apologies. But... I hope you'll understand one day. This isn't against you.
Cassie finally looked her in the eye.
— I know.
A slight smile passed over Ana's lips, almost sad. She stepped forward and awkwardly hugged Cassie.
— Take care of yourself, okay? And watch out for her.
— For who? Cassie asked, surprised.
Ana pulled back slightly, avoiding the question.
— Goodnight, she murmured simply, before leaving.
Cassie stood still for a moment, arms crossed. Then she went to turn off the light, pulled the curtains, and slid under the sheets.
She stared at the ceiling, her thoughts in disarray. Something deep inside her whispered that this departure was just the beginning.
And as she closed her eyes, a shiver ran down her spine, as if another version of herself was watching her, from a very, very distant place.
(The next day)
The next morning, at precisely 6 AM, Cassie descended the stairs, suitcase in hand, wrapped in her long beige coat. The house was still immersed in a heavy silence. Ana wasn't there. Nor was Grace.
Only Don was waiting for her, already ready, leaning against the front door, keys in hand. He said nothing, simply opened the door and led her toward the black car parked in front of the house. Cassie glanced back at the familiar façade. She felt nothing. Or perhaps a strange emptiness, a clean break from everything she was leaving behind.
The drive to the airport was silent. Not a word was exchanged. Don drove with his usual stiffness, his eyes fixed on the road, as if he wanted to avoid any conversation. At the airport, he stopped in front of the private flight entrance and got out without a word. Cassie opened the door and got out, her suitcase in hand. Before walking away, she glanced at her father.
— Aren't you going to say goodbye? she asked, her voice steady.
He shrugged.
— You're strong. You'll manage. And... it's better this way.
Cassie said nothing. She turned on her heels and disappeared into the terminal, without looking back.
The flight was short. Barely a few hours. Upon arrival, a car was waiting for her as planned, in front of the luxury hotel reserved by Grace. A silent driver, a diplomatic plate, and a file on the passenger seat with a map, a key, and a handwritten letter from her mother. Cassie read it silently while the landscapes passed by the window.
"My dear Cassie, Rest, recover, and most of all, keep a low profile. Far from the chaos, you will be able to become the person you've always been. I love you, Grace."
She crumpled the letter and slipped it into her pocket.
The mansion was enormous. Old, majestic, surrounded by a light mist. Centuries-old trees lined the driveway. The car stopped in front of the large wrought-iron door. Cassie stepped out, her coat fluttering in the wind, her suitcase rolling behind her.
A deep silence reigned. Too perfect to be natural. She walked up to the main door. Pushing open the massive wooden entrance, the scent of old wood and lavender filled her senses. The mansion had something impressive and theatrical about it, as if frozen in another time. Barely had Cassie crossed the threshold than her eyes widened at the immensity of the mansion. Two majestic dark wooden staircases faced each other, starting on each side of the hall and curving elegantly to meet on the upper floor. The white marble floor, veined with gray, reflected the soft light from the massive chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, like cascades of crystal frozen in time. Large ancient tapestries hung along the walls, depicting mysterious scenes and esoteric symbols she didn't understand.
Cassie slowly climbed one of the staircases, her fingers gliding over the polished banister. Upstairs, she cautiously opened the first door on her left. The room was spacious, tastefully decorated, a mix of modern and old. A four-poster bed draped in white curtains stood at the center. A large window let in the morning light, and on a dresser... belongings.
Clothes. Jewelry. Toiletries already used.
Cassie stepped closer. There was no dust.
Someone lived here. A shiver ran down her spine.
(Club Dourian, 3 PM)
Sky was rushing down the club's stairs, her heart pounding wildly. She had just seen Ricky, her boyfriend, kissing another girl in a back room. The shock had paralyzed her for a few seconds, then anger and sadness took over.
She had confronted him, her voice trembling. But Ricky had first denied it, then shrugged, as if it meant nothing. As if she didn't matter.
But as he snickered, turning his gaze away, something changed.
Sky felt a strange warmth wash over her, like a wave of fire in her stomach, then in her chest. Her eyes blurred, but it wasn't just tears. It was... something else. A sort of brutal, invisible, but powerful connection. Her mind suddenly opened to Ricky's. And what she found there disgusted her.
She saw his thoughts. His disdain. His satisfaction from "winning" another girl. And worse... She felt she could change what he thought. That she could impose her emotions. A sense of panic, guilt, total collapse.
Ricky started backing away, hands on his head, his eyes filled with terror.
— What are you doing to me?! What the hell are you doing, Sky?! Stop... stop... STOP!
He collapsed to the floor, moaning, as if his own mind turned against him. Shocked, Sky backed away too, her hands shaking.
— I... I'm not doing anything...
But it was a lie. She could feel it. She had triggered something. Something inside her. And it was terrifying.
She ran out of the club without looking back.
Outside, the cool air hit her face. She almost ran to the house. When she reached the gate, she froze. An unfamiliar car was parked in the driveway. Sky furrowed her brow. Mel hadn't mentioned any visitors. Still in shock from what had just happened, she pushed open the front door.
Mel was in the main hall, just arriving.
"You won't believe what just happened to me..." but she stopped as she saw some unfamiliar suitcases near one of the stairs.
Meanwhile, Cassie was upstairs in the room, analyzing the things that were there. Before she could think any further, a loud sound echoed from downstairs: the front door had opened... and closed again with a sharp, firm slam.
She ran down the stairs, heart pounding, barely holding her breath. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she stopped abruptly.
Two young girls stood there, frozen in surprise. One, with long, curly dark brown hair, was eyeing her with a suspicious look. The other, with light eyes, seemed just as confused.
_"Who are you?" Mel asked, her tone sharp and tense.
Cassie, her lips slightly parted, didn't respond immediately. She found herself face-to-face with two strangers. Or rather... two familiar presences, though she couldn't explain why.
_"I... I'm Cassie," she finally said. "And you... who are you?"
Cassie, Mel, and Sky continued to stare at each other, wary, silent. But something felt off.
The ground beneath their feet seemed to vibrate slightly. The air grew heavier, charged with electricity. Cassie frowned.
_"Do you feel that?" she murmured.
Mel nodded. Sky took a step back.
An odd shiver ran down their arms, all three of them. And suddenly, without any of them making a move, the ground between them began to glow with a golden light. Lines formed, creating a perfect triangle. In the center, a white glow slowly rose, suspended in the air like a living star.
_"What the hell is this?" Sky exclaimed, stunned.
Their feet remained fixed at each point of the triangle, as though some force was holding them there. Then, without warning, the power contained within the triangle exploded outward in an invisible wave.
Cassie was thrown against the stairs, Sky against the front door, and Mel collapsed to her knees, breathless.
A voice, soft but powerful, echoed in their heads. An ancient, almost distant voice:
_"The union is sealed. The prophecy has begun."
Then, silence. Calm returned. The lights went out suddenly, as though nothing had happened.
Cassie, still dazed, pushed herself up, holding her shoulder.
_"This can't be... what was that?"
Sky, pale, whispered:
_"I think... it's just the beginning."
And without knowing why, all three of them felt exactly the same thing: they were connected now. And nothing could change that. A crossroads. A convergence. Their destinies had intertwined for good.