The moon hung high above the clearing, its silver light filtering through the trees, casting long shadows over the forest floor. Opal leaned against a gnarled oak tree, her fingers absently playing with the charm bracelet around her wrist. It was cold, the air crisp and biting, yet she felt a warmth radiating from her brothers, standing close by. It was a warmth that went beyond the physical—an unspoken bond that tied them together, binding their hearts and minds.
Tomorrow, they would face their first shift. Tomorrow, everything would change. But tonight, they were together. And that was enough.
Ridge paced nearby, his amber eyes reflecting the moonlight as he moved, restless energy rippling through his body. "Can you feel that?" he murmured, his voice low and cautious. "It's like the air is charged… alive."
Brooks nodded, his face pale. "I feel it too. It's like… a pulse, vibrating through the ground." He shuddered, wrapping his arms around himself. "It's unsettling."
Ash stood still as a statue, his silver eyes fixed on the horizon. "It's the call of the Moon Goddess," he said quietly. "She's preparing us… for tomorrow."
A shiver ran down Opal's spine. She could feel it too—the hum of power in the air, the ancient magic that connected them to the earth, to each other. She could almost hear a whisper in the wind, soft and melodic, calling to her.
Forrest broke the silence with a nervous laugh. "Well, isn't this cozy? We're about to turn into giant furballs tomorrow, and tonight we're hearing ghostly whispers. Can't say I've ever had a sleepover like this before."
His attempt at humor eased the tension, and Opal couldn't help but smile. "Leave it to you to find the joke in all of this."
Forrest winked. "Hey, someone's got to keep the mood light. Otherwise, we'll all just sit around moping until we sprout tails."
Ash's lips twitched, but his face remained serious. "We can't afford to let our guard down. Azeala is still out there. We're not safe yet."
Opal's chest tightened at the mention of the witch's name. She could still see those cold, piercing eyes, still feel the suffocating darkness that had surrounded them. "Do you think she'll come after us? During the shift?"
Ridge stopped pacing, his shoulders tensing. "If she does, we won't be able to defend ourselves. Not while we're… changing."
A heavy silence fell over them, the weight of the truth sinking in. Tomorrow, they would be at their most vulnerable. And Azeala would know it.
Brooks ran a hand through his hair, his jaw clenched. "Then we need to be prepared. We need to practice… whatever this is." He waved his hand at the air around them. "This energy… this bond between us."
Forrest tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about?"
Brooks hesitated, searching for the right words. "Ever since we reunited… it feels different. Like I can feel you, even when you're not beside me." His eyes locked on Opal. "Like right now… I can feel your fear."
Opal's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. "How… how did you…?"
Ridge's face went pale. "I can feel it too. I can feel all of you." He looked at his siblings, his eyes wide with realization. "It's like… I can hear your thoughts."
Forrest let out a sharp laugh. "No way. There's no way we can…" He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes going wide. He stared at Opal, his mouth hanging open. "Did you just…?"
Opal's cheeks flushed. "I… I didn't say anything."
Forrest pointed at her, his hand shaking. "But I heard you! In my head! You were… you were teasing me about my hair!"
A strangled noise escaped Opal's throat. She had been thinking that—about how Forrest's curls were sticking up in every direction like he'd been electrocuted. But she hadn't said it out loud.
Ash's eyes narrowed, his face growing serious. "Think it again, Opal. Think something at Forrest. See if he hears it."
Opal swallowed hard, her heart thudding. She focused on Forrest, picturing his face in her mind. She imagined herself laughing, teasing him. You look like a walking dandelion.
Forrest's eyes bulged, his mouth dropping open. "I heard that! I heard it clear as day!"
A stunned silence followed, each sibling staring at the other with wide eyes.
Ridge was the first to break the silence, his voice shaking. "We can… we can hear each other. Without speaking."
Ash's jaw clenched, his eyes darkening. "Telepathy. This must be one of our gifts."
Forrest's face lit up. "Oh, this is awesome! We can communicate without saying a word! Think of all the pranks I can pull!"
Opal shot him a playful glare. I better not find any spiders in my bed, Forrest.
Forrest's laughter echoed through her mind, his voice bubbling with mischief. No promises, sis.
Ridge shook his head, his face growing serious. "This isn't just for fun. If we can communicate silently, it gives us an advantage. We can strategize without our enemies hearing us."
Ash's eyes gleamed with approval. "Exactly. We'll need to practice this, learn to control it. It could be our greatest weapon."
Brooks's eyes were wide with wonder. "It feels like… like we're one mind, one heart. Like I can feel what each of you are feeling."
Opal's breath hitched. It was true—she could feel them, all of them, their emotions swirling around her. Ridge's anxiety, Brooks's curiosity, Forrest's excitement… Ash's fear. Her heart twisted. Ash never showed fear. Yet here it was, raw and vulnerable, laid bare before her.
Ash… Her voice was gentle, her heart aching. You're scared.
Ash's face hardened, his walls going up. He turned away, his shoulders tense. We have too much at stake to let fear rule us.
Opal took a step closer, her voice soft and soothing. You don't have to hide it. Not from us.
For a long moment, Ash was silent, his head bowed. When he finally spoke, his voice was raw, vulnerable. I'm terrified. If we fail… if we lose each other… I can't bear the thought.
Tears pricked at Opal's eyes, her chest tightening with emotion. She crossed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around him. He tensed, his body rigid, before finally relaxing, his arms encircling her.
One by one, the others joined them, forming a circle, their arms wrapped around each other, their bond unbreakable. In that moment, Opal felt the full weight of their connection, their love, their fear, their hope, all flowing between them in a silent symphony.
They stood like that for a long time, bathed in the moonlight, their hearts beating in unison. When they finally pulled away, Ash's face was softer, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "We face this together. No matter what happens tomorrow."
Opal smiled, her heart swelling with love. "Together. Always."
A soft breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the faintest whisper—a blessing from the Moon Goddess, a promise that they were never truly alone.
They sat by the fire, practicing their newfound telepathy, sharing memories, jokes, and fears, their voices echoing silently in each other's minds. And as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Opal knew, deep in her soul, that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them as one.
Together. Bound by blood. United by destiny.
And tomorrow, they would face the shift. But tonight, they were family. And that was enough.