When she reached the top of the stairs again, Hunter and Lennox followed quietly behind her.The rooftop glow wrapped around them like a blanket as they stepped into the circle of light.Brielle and Ursula were still out cold, their cheeks flushed and peaceful.Hunter and Lennox exchanged a look before moving automatically to Brielle’s side.
Saffie gestured toward the stairwell door that led down to the next level.“Take her to her apartment, gently.She’ll probably sleep through it.”The two bears nodded, each moving with surprising care as Hunter lifted Brielle into his arms.Lennox whispered something low—something that sounded suspiciously like an apology—and they carried her inside.
Nolan stepped forward to help, carefully lifting Ursula.“I’ve got her,” he said softly.“She can crash in her own bed tonight.”
Saffie nodded.“Perfect.Keep it quiet.”
The scene was oddly tender—shifters moving with reverence, witches watching in silence—as they carried their women down the stairs.Only when the last footstep faded did Saffie exhale.
Willow looked up from her chair, arching a brow.“Sorted?”
“As much as it ever is,” Saffie said, slipping off her jacket.
Isaac handed her a glass of actual wine this time.“For you.You earned it.”
Saffie accepted it, sinking into the chair opposite him.“If Ursula doesn’t implode tomorrow, I’ll call that a miracle.”
Willow raised her glass of grape juice in a mock toast.“To miracles.”
Saffie clinked her glass lightly.“And to the women who clean up after them.”
The rooftop was quiet again, save for the city hum.The tension of the last few days still lingered in her chest, but for the first time, it felt manageable.Down below, five shifters waited — broken, hopeful, and trying — and up here, the witches breathed.
Saffie tipped her head back to the sky, watching a single star wink through the city haze.“We’ll fix this,” she murmured to herself.“We have to.”
Willow’s soft voice floated over.“You say something?”
Saffie smiled.“Just thanking the Goddess for quiet.”
“Don’t,” Willow said, smirking.“She might take it as a challenge.”
They both laughed, and for one brief, perfect heartbeat, the night felt almost peaceful.
Chapter Eleven
The dream began withsilver light.Soft, endless, and too bright to be real.Brielle stood barefoot in a meadow she didn’t recognize, her hair stirring in the wind that carried the scent of jasmine and moonlight.The air shimmered, and when she lifted her head, the Moon Goddess stood before her—tall, luminous, her eyes ancient and sorrowful.