Chapter 26: CHAPTER 26- Suspicious (Tasha)

We didn’t waste any more time. Mascot had barely recovered from whatever hell he’d gone through in that cave, but his determination hadn’t wavered.

Even now, with the tension between him and Jacob practically suffocating, he pressed us forward through the rugged mountain terrain. I could see it in his eyes—he wasn’t just running from Eden’s forces; he was running from something deeper. Something inside him.

Jacob followed closely behind, his steps deliberately loud, as if to remind Mascot of his presence. I could feel the heat of his gaze on my back every time I glanced toward Mascot. Jealousy simmered in the air, thick and dangerous. Ethan was leading the rear, his eyes constantly scanning our surroundings for threats. He was the quiet, vigilant type, always thinking ahead, always three steps ahead in any fight. His silent support was something I’d come to rely on, but he never said much unless it was necessary.

We’d escaped Eden’s clutches, but the danger was far from over. The witches’ coven was our only hope now, but reaching it seemed like an impossible task with every passing hour. Clara trailed ahead of us, her lips constantly moving in a whispered incantation. The magic surrounding us flickered like candlelight, barely holding against the weight of her exhaustion. Seth was by her side, using his strength to help clear a path through the rough terrain. He’d been silent since Mascot rejoined us, his face set in a grim line.

"You need to rest, Clara," I said, keeping my voice low but firm. "You’re going to burn yourself out." Clara shook her head, beads of sweat dotting her pale face.

"If I stop, we’re exposed. I’ll keep going." Her voice cracked with fatigue, but there was a fire in her eyes that told me she wouldn’t listen to reason. As we trudged up a narrow, rocky path, I caught Mascot stealing a glance at me. His face was unreadable, but his eyes betrayed him—there was something there, something bothering him that he wasn’t ready to admit. I kept my focus on the path ahead, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Mascot had escaped that cave too easily. He was strong, yes, but even he shouldn’t have been able to break free without a scratch. And then there were my visions—the flashes of betrayal, his face, and Charlotte’s. Why did I see him? Why did I see her? I had to find out. The only way I knew how was to consult the ancestors again, but with Jacob and Mascot hovering over me, I wasn’t sure how much I could trust what I’d learn. Plus, I needed to be somewhere safe, away from the threat of Eden’s forces and the dark werewolves.

“We need to rest,” Mascot announced suddenly, his voice rough. He didn’t look at us as he spoke, staring straight ahead as if he could will the witches’ coven into appearing. Jacob scoffed behind him.

“Since when did you call the shots?” Mascot turned slowly, locking eyes with him.

“Since I was the one who pulled us out of Eden’s trap. Unless you want to take the lead, Jacob?” The tension crackled between them, sharp enough to cut through the chilly mountain air. Jacob’s fists clenched at his sides, but he stayed quiet, his eyes narrowing. I stood between them, feeling my own frustration simmering beneath the surface. This wasn’t the time for their rivalry to boil over.

“We’re all tired,” I said, stepping between them. “We need to rest, and we need to keep our heads straight. There’s no time for this.”

Mascot’s gaze flickered to me, softening for just a second before hardening again. He turned on his heel and disappeared into the underbrush. We followed him in silence, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on us. We found a small cave hidden among the rocks, its entrance barely noticeable beneath a tangle of vines.

Clara immediately set to work, her fingers weaving invisible wards over the entrance while Jacob stood guard, his eyes scanning the darkness outside. Seth took a seat near Clara, keeping an eye on her work, ready to protect her if needed. Ethan, as always, chose the shadows, lingering near the mouth of the cave to keep watch, quiet and sharp. Mascot sat near the fire we built, his face illuminated by the flickering flames. I settled down beside him, though the silence between us felt heavier than the mountain itself.

My mind kept drifting to the vision, to the faces I’d seen and the warnings whispered by the ancestors. I had to know more, to understand what the future held. “I’m going to consult the ancestors,” I announced, rising to my feet.

Jacob’s head snapped up, concern flashing in his eyes. “Now? Are you sure that’s wise? Do you even know how to communicate with them?”

“I don’t have a choice,” I said firmly. “I need answers. If they are able to talk to me through a vision, then maybe I can too. I need to try something. Anything.” Mascot didn’t say a word, his eyes fixed on the fire, the flames dancing in the reflection of his gaze. Something was eating at him, I could tell, but I wasn’t sure if I had the energy to pry it out of him.

I moved to the far corner of the cave where the shadows were deeper, quieter. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and reached out to the spirits of my ancestors. Their presence was faint at first, a distant hum in the back of my mind, but slowly it grew, filling the space around me like a mist. In the void of my mind, the ancestors appeared, their voices soft but urgent. Shadows shifted and swirled until two figures stood before me: Mascot and Charlotte.

Their faces were clear as day, though their expressions were unreadable. Betrayal. I felt the word sink into my bones, chilling me to my core. “Why them?” I whispered to the spirits. “Why Mascot? Why Charlotte?” The ancestors’ voices echoed all around me.

"Betrayal takes many forms, child. Those closest to you may not be what they seem. But beware—trust is fragile." I felt a knot tighten in my chest.

“Mascot wouldn’t betray me again. I’ve forgiven him... haven’t I?” The shadows twisted, and the figure of Mascot flickered, his face darkening.

"Even forgiveness can’t erase the scars of the past," they warned. "Guard your heart, Tasha." The vision shifted, and Charlotte’s face was in front of me. Her smile was sweet, her eyes bright, but there was something behind them—something cold and calculating. I felt my breath catch as her image faded away. Before I could ask more, the ancestors’ presence withdrew, leaving me alone in the dark.

The betrayal... was it already in motion? I snapped back to reality, gasping as I opened my eyes. The cave was still, the fire reduced to a smoldering glow. But Mascot was standing over me, his face tight with tension.

“What did you see, Tasha?” he asked, his voice low. “Was it me?” My heart pounded in my chest.

“I... I don’t know,” I said, my voice weak. “It wasn’t clear.” Mascot’s eyes darkened, his jaw clenching as he stepped back.

“You don’t know, or you don’t want to tell me?” Jacob stepped closer, his expression wary.

“What’s going on?” Mascot’s voice sharpened.

“Tasha saw something. About me.”

Jacob’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me. “Is that true? What did you see?” I swallowed hard, the weight of their gazes pressing down on me.

“We are going to be betrayed.” I admitted, my voice trembling. “I saw Mascot’s face. And Charlotte’s.” Jacob frowned in confusion, but Mascot took a step back, his face twisting in hurt and anger.

“You think I would betray you again?” he asked, his voice laced with pain.

“I don’t know what to think,” I said, my frustration boiling over. “All I know is that something is wrong, and I don’t know who to trust anymore.”

Mascot’s eyes flashed with hurt, but he quickly masked it with anger. "After everything we’ve been through, you still doubt me?"

Ethan’s voice cut through the air like a blade. "We don’t have time for this," he said calmly, his gaze fixed on the darkness outside the cave. "We have bigger problems right now." Mascot shot him a glare, but Ethan didn’t flinch. "We’ll deal with whatever this is later," Ethan continued, his voice cold. "Right now, our focus is staying alive."

Seth stood, his frame blocking part of the cave’s entrance. "He’s right," he said, his deep voice rumbling through the small space. "The howls are getting closer. We need to move." Jacob turned to me, his expression softening for a moment.

"Whatever you saw, we’ll figure it out. Let's get this over with." I nodded, though the unease still churned inside me. We had to survive first. The answers could wait—if we lived long enough to find them. Trust is fragile, they’d said. And I wasn’t sure if I had any left.

The howl grew louder as I grabbed my blade.