Legacies : The First Witch’s Legacy

Chapter 6: Cracks in the Facade

The Salvatore School seemed quieter than usual the morning after Adam's solitary practice in the woods. The tension from the recent attack lingered, and though students returned to their routines, a sense of unease hung in the air. For Adam, it was just another day, another mask to wear.

Adam strode through the corridors, ignoring the whispers and curious stares that followed him. His black coat swayed with each step, a silent barrier that kept everyone at bay. Despite his calm demeanor, his mind churned with thoughts of the assailant and the ominous feeling that more trouble was on the horizon.

In the library, Hope sat at a table with Josie and Lizzie, discussing possible leads on their mysterious attacker. Books and grimoires lay open before them, their pages filled with symbols and spells.

"I don't understand why he's being so secretive," Lizzie complained, flipping through a tome with exaggerated frustration. "If he knows something, why not just tell us?"

"Maybe he doesn't trust us yet," Josie offered, her tone more diplomatic. "Or maybe there's more to his story than he's letting on."

Hope, silent until now, closed the book in front of her and leaned back in her chair. "It doesn't matter. Whether he trusts us or not, he's here for a reason, and I intend to find out what it is."

Lizzie smirked. "Oh, is that why you keep staring at him like he's the last slice of cake? Very subtle, Hope."

Hope shot her a glare but didn't rise to the bait. Instead, she stood, grabbing her jacket. "I'm going to talk to him."

Josie glanced up, concern flickering across her face. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Hope hesitated for a moment but nodded. "I need answers."

Adam was outside, perched on a low stone wall near the edge of the school grounds. The view overlooked the forest, its dense trees stretching as far as the eye could see. He held the leather-bound journal in his lap, his fingers tracing the embossed patterns on the cover. The pages within were filled with entries written by his grandmother, the first witch—a record of knowledge, power, and secrets that even he had yet to fully uncover.

He sensed Hope's presence before she spoke, her footsteps soft but purposeful.

"You're persistent," Adam remarked without turning around.

"Someone has to be," she replied, walking up to stand beside him. "You don't make it easy."

Adam closed the journal and set it aside. "Maybe that's the point."

Hope crossed her arms, tilting her head as she studied him. "You can keep playing the enigma all you want, but sooner or later, you're going to have to let someone in."

"Is that what you think?" Adam asked, finally looking at her. His gray eyes were calm, but there was a flicker of something deeper, something fragile.

"I know what it's like to carry a burden," Hope said, her voice softer now. "To feel like you have to do it all on your own."

Adam's gaze held hers for a moment before he looked away, his jaw tightening. "This isn't just a burden, Hope. It's a curse."

Hope frowned, sitting down on the wall beside him. "Then maybe you should let someone help you."

Adam chuckled dryly, the sound devoid of humor. "And what happens when helping me puts you in danger? You think I'd let that happen?"

"Newsflash," Hope said, her tone edged with defiance. "I've been in danger my whole life. I can handle it."

Adam shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You're stubborn. I'll give you that."

"And you're infuriating," Hope shot back, though her expression softened. "But I think there's more to you than you're letting on. And I'm going to figure it out."

Adam didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable—it was heavy with unspoken truths and the beginnings of understanding.

Back inside the school, Lizzie and Josie continued their research, though Lizzie was clearly losing interest.

"This is pointless," Lizzie declared, pushing a book away. "We're not going to find anything useful in these dusty old tomes."

Josie sighed. "Just because we haven't found anything yet doesn't mean we won't. Besides, we need to be prepared. Whoever attacked the school might come back."

As if on cue, the lights in the library flickered. A cold draft swept through the room, sending a chill down their spines.

"What was that?" Lizzie whispered, her bravado fading.

Before Josie could respond, a shadowy figure materialized near the doorway. It was cloaked in darkness, its features obscured, but its presence radiated menace.

"You meddle in things beyond your understanding," the figure hissed, its voice echoing unnaturally.

Lizzie scrambled to her feet, her hand glowing with magical energy as she prepared to cast a spell. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

The figure ignored her, its attention fixed on Josie. "The one who carries light… your power will serve us well."

Josie's eyes widened in alarm. "What are you talking about?"

The figure raised a hand, and a wave of dark energy surged toward them. Lizzie reacted instinctively, casting a barrier spell that absorbed the impact but sent her stumbling backward.

"Josie, run!" Lizzie shouted.

But before the figure could strike again, a blast of energy tore through the air, forcing it to retreat. Adam stood in the doorway, his hand outstretched and glowing with the power of one of his rings.

"You picked the wrong school," Adam said coldly, his voice laced with authority.

The figure snarled but didn't advance, seeming to recognize the power emanating from Adam. "This isn't over," it hissed before vanishing into the shadows.

Lizzie and Josie stared at Adam, their expressions a mix of shock and gratitude.

"Thanks," Josie said hesitantly. "That was... intense."

Adam gave a curt nod, his gaze lingering on the spot where the figure had disappeared. "Keep an eye out. That won't be the last of them."

He turned to leave, but Lizzie called after him. "Wait! Who was that? And what did it mean about Josie's power?"

Adam paused, his shoulders tense. "If I had to guess, I'd say it was a scout. Something bigger is coming."

With that, he walked away, leaving the sisters to process his words and the unsettling reality that their school—and everyone in it—was in far greater danger than they had realized.