The truck comes to a stop on the road. There are no road blocks, but we know we shouldn’t drive in any further. Before us Bridgeport rises into the sky, a dark skeleton of my tomb. I will die here. We will die here. I glance to Ezra and he smiles at me.

“Here we are.” He says quietly.

I nod, unable to say anything, and walk next to him. After another pause we head into the city.

Around us the city lies quietly. There are no people out on the streets, no cars. We can hear footsteps and whispers, so quiet we’re not sure they’re real. Goosebumps rise on my arms at the eeriness of it all.

For minutes we walk, heading deeper and deeper into the city. How we knew where we were going, I’m not sure. The ghostly whispers almost seem to guide us. I shudder at what could be behind those whispers. Ezra’s fingers tangle into mine as we make a turn and I hear him take in a breath. A howl rips through the unearthly silence. I scan the shadows around us and step closer to Ezra. How many glowing eyes were on us right now?

“Be brave.” I hear Ezra whisper. I begin to form a response, but as we turn the next corner it dies before it’s produced.

The city square opens up before us. It’s as empty as the way here, except for four figures on the top of the stairs.

“Greetings, Logan Belle.” A harsh voice growls.

My eyes fall to its source, a tall woman with brown hair and glowing eyes. Beside it stands the President, his blue suit and silver hair marking his being. A Were, next to the president? Next, my eyes fall to two still forms beside the Were. I hear a noise escape me and a lunge forward, pulling my fingers from Ezra’s and sprinting towards the stage. Ezra steps in my way and catches me just before I make it, holding me tight.

A cackle escapes the Were as I fight against Ezra.

“Silven! Juniper!” I scream. The two look at me, stoic and brave.

“Logan Belle.” The president speaks, “We are glad you have come as asked.”

“Let them go!” I scream, renewing my fight against Ezra’s arms. “I came like you asked. Let. Them. Go.”

“Calm down, Lo.” Ezra whispers into my ear, holding me tight. “You can’t help them like this.”

I feel his heart beat against my chest. I take a deep breath and let his heartbeat flow into me. He was right, I couldn’t think straight, much less control my powers if I need to. I feel his grip loosen as I calm until he moves to stand beside me.

“Thank you for controlling your dog.” The Were says to Ezra. I tune her out and stare at Silven, meeting his eyes.

“According to my sense of smell, you’re the dog.” He hisses at it.

“Enough,” The President says, looking around before settling his eyes on mine, “As I was saying before, we’re glad you came. However, I’m afraid we cannot let any of you go. You see, witches are a blight on our land, in our lives. You are dangerous, explosive, and I cannot let this country fear for their lives because of you.”

“We are not dangerous.” Ezra says, “We just want to live in peace.”

“Please,” The Were laughs, “We know what your kind, and this one in particular, can do.” It says evenly, looking at me.

The President’s words “cannot let any of you go” reverberate through my head.

“What do you mean you can’t let any of us go? You told me to come here in exchange for their lives.” I say, my gut beginning to twist into knots. Silven and Juniper force strained smiles onto their faces.

“Oh, sweetie,” The Were smirks, “You believed that?”

It walks in between Juniper and Silven, dragging its claws through their hair. I see Juniper shudder and Silven’s jaw clench. Why can’t they move? The Were stops its claws at the base of their necks and raises its eyes to mine.

“No, stop. Please, just take me. I’m the one you want. I’m the strongest. Kill me, and their power will die out eventually.” I say, making up a lie. “I am the chosen one. If I die, all the witches lose their power.”

“I’m not stupid.” The Were growls. I see its body brace itself. It’s going to kill them. It’s going to kill them here, in front of me.

I yell and lunge forward, letting my control go. I see Weres in the corners of my sight, but I focus on the Were on stage. Its claws begin to push at the base of Silven and Juniper’s necks. I see their faces tighten in pain. No, no one is dying today except this Were.

I unleash another scream and with it, all the power I held in my body. I see the President crouch down, I hear Ezra’s voice behind me, I see the fear forming on the Were’s face. My body burns, my throat feels like it’s on fire. I reach my hand out and grab the Were’s shoulder. As soon as I feel its body underneath my hand, an explosion rips through me. I hear screaming, windows shattering, and gunfire. Then it’s silent, and I see a flash of white before everything goes black.