“How are you feeling, babe?” Cara asked Ashton, who was lying motionless on the bed beside her.
Ashton smiled and looked in Cara’s direction. “Tired.” He paused when Cara interrupted him with a sorry look on her face.
“I’m sorry, did I take too much of your energy?” she asked him, afraid that she might have caused harm to her husband.
“We just lack practice babe.” Ashton winked at Cara. “I have to read more about this to help you replenish your energy faster.” He continued thinking, in other instances where this type of energy exchange isn’t appropriate; he should have a backup plan.
Cara sat up and covered her face with her palms. “I’m sorry this is taking a toll on you.” She was ashamed and apologetic at the same time.
Ashton sat up beside Cara and patted her back gently. “Don’t be sorry my love. If anything, I am actually happy that I am being able to help you while making love to you. I was afraid before that I was taking too much of your time and energy, but now, boy, I’m glad.” He said and kissed Cara’s shoulders.
Cara removed the palms covering her face and looked in Ashton’s direction. “I’m not a pervert.” She said and pouted her lips.
Ashton chuckled and kissed Cara’s hand. “Of course you are not.” He said and placed Cara’s hand on his crotch. “I am!” he smirked at his surprised wife.
“Oh my, babe!” It startled Cara. “I thought you were tired already?” She asked Ashton.
Ashton shrugged his shoulders. “I thought so too, but my friend down there gets excited about you all the time. I can’t blame him, though. You are so hot, babe.” He said and kissed Cara gently on the lips.
Like the first time, Cara loved the taste of Ashton’s lips on hers. It does not matter how many times she’s tasted it, for her the taste and the feeling never gets old. She boldly moved to straddle Ashton. “If that’s the case, then let me take over, babe.” She seductively whispered into his ears.
 ***
“Hello. How are you Cara?” Theo asked, still with a tone of worry in his voice.
“I’m fine. You know that.” Cara chuckled as she answered her worried friend.
Theo looked at his father before he spoke to Cara again. He waited for that look of approval from Thomas. “You know how much I love you. You can’t just expect me to be okay with you being hurt even if it wasn’t fatal.” He said openly.
Cara almost coughed hearing Theo just professing his love out in the open. If he did this when Ashton was not yet in the picture, her response would have been so different. “I know… and I love you too and Thomas.” She responded, choosing to be on the safe side. “Don’t worry too much. Ashton is taking good care of me.” She added and glanced in Ashton’s direction.
“Good, I’m glad he is with you. I just want to inform you that the phantoms are setting back their plans until you complete the ritual.” He gave Cara insider info. “You are safe for now. I will call you again if there are any updates.”
“Thanks.” They ended the call but unilaterally also ending whatever hope was left about their relationship being more than friends. 
 “Love. Do you think they got my message?” Cara asked Ashton as they walked along the seashore.
Ashton held her hand and nodded. “Yes, of course.” He was hoping for the best. This remaining ritual is a push and pull for him. He honestly does not welcome the idea of something that would be able to kill Cara, but at the same time. It is also something he knows is important for the love of his life.
“Cara!” The couple heard someone call out Cara’s name. They looked behind them to check who it was.
It was Percy; she rushed towards Cara to embrace her tight. “Oh my god, Cara! How are you feeling?” she asked her as she caressed Cara’s shoulders.
Cara smiled back at the worried Percy. “I am.” Cara assured Percy. “Where are the others?” She asked wary if the others would show up. She wants to team up with them on how they could contact the last element; wind.
“They are.” Percy smiled back at Cara and she pointed towards the cabin. 
Cara looked and saw Celeste and Tyra waving back at her. Whenever they are together, Cara feels a surge of power in her. Perhaps her happy heart gave her an extra push. She loves it when she is surrounded by people she considers her family.
They all went inside the cabin where they could speak more intimately. They have an open area where a curved sofa set faces the beautiful ocean. Ashton took a deep breath as he was about to pretend to be like a dumb servant to Cara again and not the loving husband he really was. He asked the attendants to bring snacks and drinks for the group as they walked towards their seats. Ashton took a stool and was prepared to sit behind Cara wherever she chose.
Cara noticed Ashton. She badly wanted to grab his hand and show him off to everyone. She noticed Celeste looking at her and shook her head as if she had read her intention. Cara nodded and let go of the idea.
As soon as they all were seated comfortably, Percy lit up the fire pit in front of them. They all giggled like little girls, having the license to do quirky things like that. “Does anyone have an idea where we can find the leader of the wind element?” Cara asked the women in her circle.
Tyra smirked at Cara; “I am pretty sure she will show up tonight.” She was very confident about her prediction.
“Have you spoken to her already?” Cara curiously asked Tyra.
She shook her head as she swallowed the wine she had just sipped. “No, but the vibrations of the land are telling me a wind element is near us.” Tyra said.
Just like on queue, a gorgeous woman in a short white dress came in. Her long straight brown hair moved with the wind like that shampoo commercial on the television. “Hello there my lovely sisters, I am Wendy.” She smiled brightly at her fellow witches.
Cara and the rest of the women stood up to welcome Wendy. “I was just asking about you.” Cara honestly told Wendy.
Wendy smiled sweetly at Cara. She held Cara’s hand, filled with respect. “I am aware. Sakalam, I have been observing the coven for a while now.” She replied as they sat beside each other on the couch.
“Really? Why only now? What took you so long?” Cara’s question piled after the other.
Wendy looked at the other women before she answered Cara. “You have a traitor in your midst.” She said bluntly, as the other women were taken by surprise by her revelation.
Cara and Ashton are already aware of this, as Theo had already warned them, but they still can't pin it on to anyone at that moment. Percy loves her family so much it did not seem like she would do something that risky. Celeste was always helpful to her and Ashton and even to Theo. Tyra, on the other hand was always picky with her words around Cara, and the very first time Theo admitted a traitor was when Tyra showed up in the hotel. But then again, Wendy could also be the one as she is trying to put the blame on the others to save herself.
The group was suddenly overshadowed by the awkward silence brought by Wendy’s revelation. Ashton cleared his throat before he spoke to ask Wendy. “Do you know who it is?” He was so straightforward that all the other women looked at him straightaway.
“Woah! Stand down servant.” Percy raised his voice and commanded Ashton. Cara was fuming. She never thought Percy could bear such rage against Ashton. She always felt Percy treated Ashton nothing more than the servant he was, but not this type of disrespect.
Cara stood up to confront Percy. “You don’t talk like that to my husband.” She wanted to make sure everyone else in the group heard her.
“Well, how could he ask that question? Instead of asking who it is, first ask if the information is legitimate in the first place. We are a family here!” Percy defended her hostility. She glanced in Ashton’s direction before she looked directly at Cara’s eyes. “Don’t get fooled by this good-looking guy. You are looking delusional, hoping for love from your servant.”
Celeste stood in between the two women, trying to appease the situation. She sure knows she is guilty of tolerating the relationship between Cara and Ashton. “Please stop. You two are better than this.” She patted Cara’s back, knowing Percy’s prejudice in their relationship hurt Cara.
Percy raised both his hands in surrender. “You are the Sakalam. You should start acting like one. The coven needs you wholeheartedly. Right now, you are nothing but a lovesick puppy wanting to impress his master.” She said and left the room.
Ashton embraced Cara as Percy left. He was glad that Cara was all out for him, but the consequence was also not what he expected. He wandered his eyes, observing the other women. Tyra was smiling, like she had just watched a scene from a silly movie. While Wendy looked like she was scrutinizing everyone. “Who the hell is the one who wants to hurt my wife?” He asked himself helplessly, looking at the powerful women surrounding them.