"You said this amulet would protect her," I snapped, my voice sharp with anger.
Samuel didn't flinch. Instead, he replied calmly, "She was already marked. The amulet merely revealed it. It doesn't just protect it unveils hidden magic. She was marked long before, and I suspect the culprit concealed the mark deliberately."
May looked bewildered. "What are you talking about?"
I turned to her, my expression grave. "May, did you ever suffer from a mysterious illness intense pain, vomiting blood and the doctors couldn't explain it?"
Her eyes widened. "Yes... something like that happened when I was twelve. How did you know?"
"sometimes dark forces enter humans. We call it the Shadowmark. Ninety percent of mundanes who carry it die. The remaining ten percent survive... but we've discovered that during the Blood Moon ritual, those mundane survivors are sacrificed."
May's face drained of colour. She trembled. "Can someone please tell me what's happening to me?"
I looked her in the eye. "You're the next sacrifice."
Her breath caught. "Wh-what?" She collapsed onto the couch, hand over her mouth, stunned.
Samuel's voice broke the silence. "Now it all makes sense. That's why she's the only mundane who remembers."
May, still shaking, asked, "And what did you find in that book?"
I told her everything
Then I turned to Samuel. "Do you think the Court knows we were there?"
He frowned. "I'm not sure. But we need to act quickly.
"So... what's next?" she asked.
Samuel looked at her with quiet resolve. "We don't know yet. But we will save you."
Just then, blood began to seep from the wound on Samuel's neck.
"You're bleeding," I said, alarmed.
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"No, it's bad. Let me help you."
He resisted, but I insisted. Eventually, he relented.
It was nearly midnight. May, still shaken, was making coffee for us. I tended to Samuel's wound.
He glanced at me. "Do you live alone? What about your family?"
"They died five years ago. Shaezraks."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it."
He looked over at May. "And her?"
"Her parents separated when she was in high school. She lives with her father now. Rarely sees her mother. Her father's always home late."
He raised an eyebrow. "So you're single?"
Before I could answer, there was a knock at the door.
I opened it. Sir Benjamin stood there.
Samuel and I froze. May looked confused she had no idea who he was.
He stepped inside, calm and composed. "I think it's time you explained everything to me."
He sat on the couch.
Samuel hesitated. "What are you talking about?"
"I know something's wrong. I feel it. Something's missing. I saw you both at the Cosmic Court just moments before the Black Testament was stolen. And why aren't you in London, where you're supposed to be? What is this girl doing with you?"
We had no choice. We told him everything.
He listened, then said gravely, "If what you're saying is true, then we're facing a catastrophe. And you're telling me this girl is the next sacrifice?"
"Yes," I confirmed.
Samuel looked at him, surprised. "You believe us?"
Sir Benjamin paused. "I don't know for certain. But things aren't adding up. If the entire town has lost its memory, I might have a spell that could restore it—and prove your innocence. I'll see you tomorrow."
He stood and walked to the door.
Samuel called after him. "And if we can't prove ourselves?"
Sir Benjamin turned, his voice cold. "Execution."
The next day I returned to the police department . I needed a long leave , because of the ritual ,it's been hard to focus on mundane life
As I made my way to the sergeant's office, John spotted me.
"Hey, how are you? Didn't see you last night."
"I had the day off," I replied, barely slowing. "Bit busy right now catch you later."
I left him standing there and entered the sergeant's office. Before he could speak, I whispered, Vocare mentem. His body stilled, his eyes glazed over. The spell had taken hold. Calmly, I compelled him to grant me an extended vacation. He agreed without hesitation.
I slipped out of the station quietly. Samuel and May were already waiting outside, leaning against Samuel's car, and we left in his car
Later that afternoon, Sir Benjamin summoned us to his home. His mansion was vast and white, surrounded by a sprawling garden that seemed untouched by time. Inside, the floors were polished marble, gleaming beneath our feet. The walls were painted a deep blue, bordered with white woodwork, and a grand crystal chandelier hung above the entrance hall, casting fractured light across the room.
A butler greeted us and said, "This way, please." We followed him through the corridors until we reached the library.
Sir Benjamin was seated in a high-backed chair, a porcelain teacup in hand. He looked up as we entered.
"So, you're here. Come in," he said.
We settled onto the couch. He offered us tea.
"We're all right, thank you," Samuel replied.
I leaned forward. "What was the spell you mentioned?"
Sir Benjamin rose and crossed the room, retrieving an open grimoire from a table tucked into the corner. He returned to his chair and placed the book on his lap.
"I've found one that might help," he said. "It's called Mentis Revocatum. Elf-made. And it must be performed by an elf."
May frowned. "But none of you are elves. How are you supposed to cast it?"
"That's not the only problem," Sir Benjamin replied. "It's not just a spell it's an entire ritual. And we'll need coal made from the Berryglow tree."
"Is it rare?" I asked.
"Extinct," Samuel said. "Thousands of years ago. But coal made from it still exists. And I know an elf who might have it and who might be willing to help us.