Zoey remained still in her coma, her body unmoving but her soul restless.
Days blurred into weeks. Life in Whispering Hollows did its best to continue, even with its strongest warrior down. The town was healing but it was a quiet kind of grief that hung in the air like fog.
Jace had spiraled at first smoking, drinking, barely sleeping but Alina and Mya refused to let him fall too far. They pushed him, trained with him, stayed by his side until he found himself again. With each day, Jace grew more focused. Every strike he landed during training wasn't just for himself. It was for Zoey. He was going to kill every last hunter who dared to hurt her.
Elaine, meanwhile, received unexpected news. She was tested, just to be sure and it turned out she was only a vampire. No wolf, no witch, just fangs and strength. Still, that didn't stop her from trying to help. She brought her big sister drawings, notes, and whispered updates every day. She even helped the girls with a new routine bringing Zoey's schoolwork to her bedside, as if she'd wake up any moment and start writing again.
Papers piled up. So did prayers.
But inside her mind, Zoey wasn't resting.
She was screaming.
"Help! Help!" she cried, trapped in darkness. Her voice echoed through the void, unanswered. Then, suddenly, the shadows parted, and a warm light bloomed ahead. Out of it stepped three women glowing, ancient, powerful.
Her ancestors.
"Something is coming," they said in perfect unison, their voices laced with power and warning.
Zoey's breath caught. "What is it?"
"You must prepare," they said. "You must find Julia."
"Julia?" Zoey frowned. "Who's Julia?"
"She can help you," they answered. "She's in New York City. Find her."
And then, just like that, they vanished.
The darkness crept back in but this time, it was different. Warmer. Familiar.
She heard voices her mother crying softly, her father swearing vengeance, Elaine's gentle laugh. Then came Jace's broken whisper. "Please wake up. I need you."
Her pendant pulsed against her chest. The glow was faint at first... then it surged, blinding and brilliant.
And Zoey screamed.
The world snapped back into focus. The room, her body, everything. Her eyes flew open as she sat up, gasping for breath.
The door burst open. Jace was the first to reach her, tears already streaking his face. "Zoey!"
Elaine ran in after him. "Z!"
Her mother crashed into the bed, wrapping her arms tightly around her. "Baby, oh my god—"
Zoey's body trembled, but her voice was clear and strong.
"They're not done."
Everyone froze.
"Something worse is coming," she said, locking eyes with her parents. "And we have to find Julia."