The Phantom's Gambit-Chapter 100: Unveiled truths

Before I could take another step, an inexplicable force seized my body, rendering me immobile. My muscles tightened, and despite my desperate attempts to will myself forward, I was firmly anchored in place. Panic surged through me as I strained against the invisible grip.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the dimly lit corridor, drawing closer with each passing moment. My anxious heart raced, and the inability to turn my head or glance back heightened my sense of vulnerability. Each approaching footfall reverberated in my chest, amplifying my unease.

Just when the tension became almost unbearable, Celine appeared in my line of sight. The moment I saw her familiar figure emerging from the shadows, a wave of relief washed over me, soothing my frayed nerves.

"Oh dear," she whispered despairingly, her brow furrowing as she knelt down. With delicate precision, she reached out and grasped the shard of glass I had nearly stepped on, its jagged edge glinting menacingly in the light.

I breathed out in relief as my babies' cries were replaced by their tiny giggles, and Celine continued to soothe them. I turned to Ava, who was scanning our surroundings, her eyes narrowed in a mixture of caution and concern. She seemed to be checking for any potential threats or anomalies that might pose a risk to me or the babies.

"I knew leaving you alone was a bad idea," she muttered, her gaze finally settling on me. Her expression was a blend of worry and frustration, and I could sense a hint of self-reproach underlying her words.

"What happened?" she asked, her eyes locked intently on mine. "What triggered this?" This time, Celine also turned her attention to me, her gaze expectant as she waited for my response.

I took a deep breath before answering. "They were sleeping when I went to pack a bag for... an event happening tomorrow. And while I was on a phone call... I started hearing noises. And I came here to this,"

"Something must have triggered them," Celine said, her words sparking a puzzled frown from me. I was still trying to wrap my head around her statement, unsure of what she meant.

Given everything I'd recently discovered about my heritage and the existence of supernatural beings, I had no doubt that Celine's words held a deeper significance.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, seeking clarification.

"Their Warlock powers are awakened," Celine explained. "Which is unusual, considering they typically don't manifest until around age ten, when a child can start to harness their magical essence."

Ava cut in, her expression curious. "What event did you say you wanted to attend?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Uhm—"

Ava didn't give me a chance to finish. "You know what, I don't care... Just cancel it."

I shook my head. "I can't do that."

Ava's eyes widened, her gaze implying I'd lost my mind.

"Do you understand the implications of exerting yourself, especially after giving birth to the first-ever tri-blood twins? Not one baby, but two? You haven't unlocked your powers yet, which means you can't heal quickly. You could die from overexertion." Ava's voice was laced with concern and a hint of frustration.

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I strolled over to where my babies were, picking up one of them while Celine played with the other. I gazed lovingly at my little ones before turning to Ava.

"Then help me unlock them,"

"We can't do that," Celine replied on Ava's behalf. "I'm not a witch. I simply learned some tactics from your mother, but that doesn't qualify me as a witch."

"So, only a witch can undo what was done to me?" I asked, seeking clarification.

Celine nodded solemnly.

"Can't you do some kind of spell or ritual to give me strength? When I've regained my powers, I can return the favor or something."

"It doesn't work that way," Ava said sternly. "What if we hadn't arrived at the exact moment we did? You realize you could have been dead because of your carelessness."

Ava's cautionary words fell on deaf ears, as I'd had enough of being lectured. My sole focus was finding a way out of my current predicament.

"Celine, can I hire you to look after my babies?" I asked impulsively. "I know this is short notice, but what I need to do tomorrow is really important."

"I'd be delighted to… but, where do you have to go that is so important?"

I gently placed the baby back in his crib, the soft sounds of his peaceful breathing filling the room as he had already drifted off to sleep, blissfully unaware of the turmoil swirling outside his dreams.

Turning to Celine, I felt a surge of urgency course through me, compelling me to voice the gravity of my thoughts.

"I need to take back what was stolen from me," I said, my voice steady yet laced with determination, each word another step toward reclaiming my agency.

The shadows of doubt that had accompanied me for months now seemed to dissipate in the face of my newfound resolve.

"If I don't do it now, I'll never be able to. I thought I had at least a few months to plan everything out, to gather resources and allies, but Dominique is moving faster than his shadows. He won't wait for me to catch up."

Ava's eyes widened in surprise, her brows knitting together in confusion.

"Wait... You mean the one running for mayor? What does he have to do with you?" Her question hung in the air, charged with the weight of realization, as the implications of my words began to sink in.

I let out a deep exhale before I responded. "He killed my father and now he's about to take over my fathers company by manipulating my father lawyers to read the will. He believe he has no surviving family, but apparently," I turned to my babies. "He has three now."

"Wow, it turns out I'm not the only one who's seeking revenge," Ava muttered under her breath, but her words were clear enough that I couldn't miss them.

"What do you mean?" I asked, curiosity piqued as I turned to face her.

Then, with a dramatic pause that hung in the air, she dropped the bombshell: "Dominique is my fiancé."