I stare at her, not moving. “You believe me?”
“I do. You’re the only one who can fix this.”
I look up at Natalie, this incredible woman who’s fought for me and chosen to believe in me despite everything she’s been taught.
She’s right—I need to stop this. Not only are the chimeras in danger, but so are the witches. They don’t seem to grasp how dangerous it would be to attack these chimeras. Honestly, before I spoke to Lucy, I didn’t understand either. But now I know better, and I have to do everything in my power to prevent a gruesome fight.
“I’ll do what I can,” I say.
Natalie smiles. “The witches need you, Katie, even if they don’t realize it yet.”
I tilt my head. “I’m not sure I care what they think anymore.”
She furrows her brow. “What do you mean?”
I swing my legs over the side of the hammock and plant my feet on the ground. “I’ve spent too much time trying to show how useful I can be. Like that would earn me a place in the coven. It’s absurd, measuring my worth by how valuable I am to others, but…”
Natalie lets out a breath, tracing her fingers along my jawline. “But these witches are too stubborn to recognize how special you are.”
I shake my head. “I’m done caring about that. I don’twantto prove myself anymore. I just want to trust myself.”
A small smile tugs at Natalie’s lips. “How wise of you.”
I nudge her with my foot. “You once told me that being in the coven is like your whole identity, and you don’t know who you are outside of it. I feel like…I’ve been trying to do the same thing. To mold myself into the person they want me to be. And why? I’ve been so desperate to prove my worth that…” I lift a shoulder. “I’ve been ignoring my intuition.”
She searches my face, a crease between her eyebrows. “What’s your intuition telling you now?”
“That I’m not meant to be a witch.”
“Katie—”
“No, it’s okay. I don’t want to be anymore.” The words feel weird leaving my mouth. It’s something I never thought I’d say since learning Natalie’s secrets. But there’s something freeing about releasing that desperate want—like I can stop trying so hard. I can just beme. “I think I was born to be something else,” I say, my voice coming out strong. “I’m meant to be someone who doesn’t fit neatly into the coven’s structure.”
Deep down, I think I’ve known this for some time. If I truly wanted to join the coven, I would have just done what they said and stopped questioning everything. But somewhere along, I decided that doing what's right is more important than fitting in. It’s time to own that.
I take Natalie’s hand and rise from the hammock. No more hesitation, no more doubting myself. “Let’s go to Lighthouse Park and talk to the chimeras before the Shadows arrive. There must be a solution that protects both magic and humanity.”
Natalie nods. “Lead the way.”
I entwine our fingers, soothed by her warm, strong hand in mine, and pull her back toward the lounge. “First, we have to make a stop.”
As we hurry through the quiet halls, my path forward becomes clear. I’ve been looking for acceptance in the wrong places. I don’t need to be useful to be valuable. I don’t need to trap chimeras to prove my worth.
What I need is to embrace who I truly am: a Guardian, but not C.S.A.M.M.’s kind. I’m descended from the ancient protectors of magic, and I can hear what others can’t. And that’s exactly what this situation needs.
For the first time since I arrived in Vancouver—and maybe the first time in my life—I know who I am and what I have to do.
From the Journal of Hazel Okada
Driving to Lighthouse Park. It’s barely dawn. The golden net is on the seat beside me like a sleeping snake.
I wasn’t prepared for the chill that settled over everything when we picked up Sophia from Oaklyn’s place. Oaklyn’s confidence evaporated, replaced by a tense vigilance that reminded me of a soldier awaiting orders. Wyatt stayed low in the back, his ears flat against his head.
“Oh, she’s coming too?” Sophia said as she climbed in, looking me up and down like I was a piece of luggage in the back. Her makeup was flawless, her white-blonde hair was in an elegant updo, and she wore a gorgeous crimson trench coat to match her lips and nails—dressed for a special occasion.
I suddenly felt underdressed in my usual jeans and flannel. But I straightened my spine, letting her critical eye slide over me without flinching. I’m the one who got them the net, and I’m the one who found the chimeras. I’m the reason they have a chance today.
Oaklyn’s grip tightened on the wheel. “She’s with us now.”
