Ryan took the book from her and dropped it on the table. "Thank you, old one," he said and she tried to stand up.
Jasmine helped her up. "Thank you, my daughter," she said with a smile. "I should get going"
After the old woman left Ryan picked the book up and stared at it. He opened a few pages and closed the book but instead of dropping it, he kept staring at it. Jasmine watched him for a while before speaking up.
"Is something bothering you?"
"The book is empty. Why do you think she brought it to me?"
Jasmine furrowed her brows. "Are you saying that this book has no write-up?"
Ryan nodded and hand over the book to her. "There is nothing written in it"
Jasmine took the book and stared at it. She could feel a strong aura around it. She opened the book and stared at it. At first, it was empty just like Ryan said.
"Why do you think she brought the book to me?"
"That is strange. I don't know. The book..."
She blinked. The empty book suddenly began to show some write-up. Jasmine stared at it strangely and she gasped. "I-i... I-i think it is the great book of the witches" she announced.
Ryan stood up promptly and walked up to Jasmine. He stared at the book but could not see a thing.
"Are you saying this book here is the great book of the witches? The one Stella and Rachel talked about?"
Jasmine nodded with excitement. "It is"
"But why did she bring it to me? Do you think she doesn't know what the book is?"
"I don't think she knows what the book is. I think the book chose you"
Ryan blinked. "Me?"
Ryan nodded. "Remember what Stella said?"
"About the book?"
"About the carrier of the book"
"She said the quiet one who is reserved and the one whose heart doesn't long for power but love will be the carrier of the book"
"Yes. That carrier is you"
Ryan furrowed her brows. "Me?"
She nodded. "Yes, you. This is a prove that you are not the one who will betray us"
"We should let the rest know about it," he said
"Yes, we should"
"When do you want us to visit them?"
"Maybe a day after tomorrow. I have something to confirm. Can I keep the book with me?"
Ryan nodded. "Please do. Keeping the book with me makes me feel uncomfortable"
Jasmine smiled. "There is something I need to check from the book". Jasmine left the office and took the book to her room. She sat down to read the book but suddenly the book disappeared. She ran back to Ryan's office and the book was lying on the table.
"You are back. Did you forget something?" Ryan asked going through a file.
"The book" Jasmine muttered and he looked up immediately.
"What happened to the book?"
Jasmine pointed. "It's back on the table"
Ryan stared at the table and then at Jasmine. "D-did you bring it back?"
She shook her head in disapproval. "The book returned by itself"
Ryan blinked. "W-why will that happen?"
"I told you before that the book has chosen you. I think you are the only one that can keep the book"
"Y-you don't expect me to keep this book with me? Do you?"
Jasmine chuckled. "I think you have to"
**
When Jasmine and Ryan were sent for, they were surprised and wondered why they wanted them now. Though they had plans to go and see them about the book in Ryan's custody, they were still surprised that Jabal and Jamal came first.
"Why are you here? How did you break the barrier?" Jasmine asked.
"We did not. Stella did"
Jasmine blinked. She had wondered who had broken the barrier. She knew it would have been difficult to get in touch with them if Stella had not broken the barrier.
"Stella made you come here right?" she asked and Jabal sighed.
Stella had blasted them for allowing the word of a dead witch to come in between them and had asked them to go bring them immediately or she won't be relaying the prophecy to them.
"She did. She wants you to come with us"
"Just me?"
"You and Ryan"
Jasmine sighed. "Why is Stella here?" she asked.
"There is a new prophecy"
Jasmine blinked. "Did she say what the new prophecy us?"
"No," Jamal said. "She won't say a thing until you and Ryan comes"
Jasmine sighed. "Ryan is busy now. Can you wait until he finishes his meeting? It's an important one"
They nodded. They have no option but to wait. Jasmine showed them to the waiting room.
"You can wait here," she said. "I will ask the maids to bring you something," she said and left.
After she left, Jamal stared at Jabal. "Jasmine seems to be doing well," he said and Jabal nodded.
"She is. I feel bad for the two of them. Maybe we should have trusted her and not doubted Ryan"
"I feel bad too"
"Do you think Ryan will want to see us?"
Jamal shrugged. "I can't say"
Two maids brought some snacks and juice for them.
"Thanks" Jamal muttered.
The maids left and they spoke about random things until Ryan showed up with Jasmine.
"Jamal? Jabal?" Ryan cooed. "It's good to see you. Jasmine told me about Stella's arrival. I will go and change and join you". Jabal and Jamal only nodded. They felt shamed for not trusting him. And despite that, he did not treat them wrongly or with disdain. "Jasmine come with me please". Jasmine followed him to his room. "Can you help me take out the book. We should show them right?"
Jasmine nodded. "We should"
**
They sat down in front of Stella with silence looming around. Ryan had just shown the book to them.
"Do you think the book will have chosen me if I was going to betray you?" he asked and no one could say a word.
"I told you that Ryan is innocent but no one believed me. I told you the witch was trying to split us apart but you said I was being controlled by that love I have for him. I told you I was going to prove his innocence. Do you now believe me?" Jasmine asked.
Stella sighed. "What will happen has already happened. Shouldn't you be apologizing right now?"
They stared at one another. They were too ashamed of themselves to speak to him.
"We are sorry" Ariana muttered the courage to speak up first. "I know we have wronged you and we are sorry about that. But you can't blame us. The witch pointed straight at you and said he is here. It is human for us to react that way. I know no amount of excuses will make you for what we have done. I just hope you will understand that we are humans and we are meant to make mistakes. Can you forgive us please?"
Ryan sighed. Who is he not to forgive them? He had thought about it so many times if there is any reason not to forgive them but there was none. These were the people who trusted him when they shouldn't have. Despite what his father did, they gave him the chance to redeem himself. Why should he be angry with them for not trusting him now?
"We are sorry," Jabal said.
"I hope you can forgive us," Jamal said.
Kelvin sighed. Right now, he feels very bad. He had rejected Jasmine because of this. Is he going to accept her back, now that everything has been settled? Will she forgive him after what he did? He had so many thought running through his thought. He was seated with them but his mind was far gone until Jabal touched him and he blinked back to the presence.
"You should apologize" Jabal whispered to him.
He blinked. "I-i am sorry" he muttered.
No one knew to who his apology is directed, Ryan or Jadmine.
"I guess all the misunderstanding has been cleared," Stella said. "Any misunderstanding that has not been settled should be after this meeting," she said starting at Kelvin and Jasmine. "To the prophecy, she began. I was to tell you about the appearance of the book but thank goodness you already know who the book has chosen. So I will go straight to the prophecy". They adjusted themselves to listen to what Stella wanted to say. "The appearance of the book is the appearance of evil. Many will go after the book. Many will covet it. You must destroy the book in a cave with the ever-burning fire. You must cross the seven rivers and seven mountains"
"The book must be destroyed?" Kelvin asked in surprise. "Isn't the book said to grant power to anyone who owns it?"
Stella stared at him and then at the rest of them. "You must destroy the book. None of you must desire the book. If you do, it's death. It's is better you listen to me" Stella had a very serious look on. "I can smell betrayal among you. Only the carrier of the book will not desire it". She pointed at them, one after the other. "Do not desire the book. Don't. The book will drive you crazy. Do not desire the book"
Jasmine sighed. Ryan is the only safe one among them. For the rest of them, they must guide their heart not to desire the book.
Stella spoke to them about a few other things before leaving. She made a clear warning about any one of them not long after the book. She told them to destroy the book before others began to find out about it.
"You just do that as soon as you can. If the location of the book is exposed, there will be danger"
It was a clear warning they needed to adhere to.
"But are we going just the three of us?" Jamal had asked.
"No. Those who will go with you will join you on tour way"
"Does that include Pearl?" Jamal asked and Stella nodded
"Are wolf is fully awake. She will find you". Stella's words were soothing to Jamal's heart. His mate will be showing up soon. He won't have to worry about when to see her. "Ryan, your mate is close by too. You will know when you see her"
Ryan smiled but when he saw the look on Jasmine's face, his smile faded. Shouldn't he be happy that he is getting a mate soon? Why does he feel sad about it, just staring at Jasmine's face?
Stella left them to meet Emerald and Ella. She also has messages to give to them, especially Emerald. After she left, they sat down to talk. It was time to have a plan for their final task.
"We must destroy the book as soon as possible," Jasmine said. "That is the only way not to desire the book"
"But what must we do first? Does anyone know where the ever-burning cave is?"
"f think first, we must get a map and locate the cave. Did Stella not mention something about the seven rivers and seven mountains?" Ariana said. "I will go and get all the maps from the office. Mira is good with maps. Can I ask her for help?"
"You can but do not expose the reason behind it," Jabal said.
Ariana left and Ryan spoke up. "While we wait, I think Kelvin and Jasmine should settle their differences"
Jamal and Jabal nodded in agreement. They had been worried those two won't be getting back together.
"I have just one question to ask," Jasmine said. "Did you reject me for real that day?". Kelvin stared at her but said nothing. "All I want is for you to be truthful"
Kelvin sighed. He rejected her for real though he regretted his action. "I did" he muttered sincerely and Jasmine sighed.
"Then there is no difference to be settled"
She had told herself severally that Kelvin will not reject her over a such thing. She believed he trusted enough not to do that. But hearing him say that he, did reject her, she felt very bad. Kelvin doesn't trust her. What is a relationship without trust? She sees no reason why she should continue a relationship that was never built in trust. He will repeat the same thing if something happens in the future.
"Jasmine" he cooed.
"Please" she muttered. "You don't have to revoke your rejection because you find out that I was right. I won't accept your proposal. No matter how much you try"
Ryan groaned slightly. This is not the result he wants. "Jasmine?" he called.
"I won't change my mind. You can't make me do"
There was silence until Ariana showed up with Mira.
"I have asked her about the seven rivers and seven mountains. She will speak to us about it" she said.
"There is only one map that shows the location of the seven rivers and seven mountains. But it belongs to a witch that lives far away. She is the custodian of the cave of the ever-burning fire. I heard she is dreadful. You must pass a test to get the map from her"
"How can we get to her?"
"I heard there is a glowing red stone. It will lead you to her. But why do you need the map? Why do you want to go across the seven rivers and seven mountains?"
"There is something important we need to get"
Mira sighed. "You must find the stone first"
"How can we do that?"
"I think you should speak to your mothers. They might know the location of the stone"
After Mira left, they agreed Jasmine and Ariana should find the stone and get the map while the rest prepare for the journey ahead of them.
Ariana and Jasmine went to meet Emerald and Ella to speak to them about the stone. Emerald handed over the stone Amaya had given to her.
"I never knew the stone was to get the map," she said. "Is every one of you going to get the map"
"No. We all agreed that Jasmine and I should go"
"When are you leaning?"
"Tomorrow" Jasmine answered.
Ella promised to prepare some meals for them. Since no one knows how long the journey will take them, Ella offered to make some snacks too.
That night, Ryan spoke to Jadmime. He had been worried about the turn that her relationship with Kelvin is taking. He wished that they could return to the way they were, before the witch's words. He tried as much as he can to make them come back but Jasmine was bent on keeping the relationship that way.
"I don't know if we might get back together after the book has been destroyed but right now I don't want to be in a relationship that doesn't have trust," she said.
"But you know he spoke out of anger," Ryan said.
"Will you have done that to your mate?" she asked.
"No. But..."
"There is no need for a but. You won't do that I know"
"I really, want you both to get back together"
Jasmine sigh. "Can you please not talk about this?"
"Jasmine..."
"Please"
Ryan sighed. "I do wish you can get back together"
Jasmine frowned. "Do you want me to go back to the "
**
It was time to leave. Jasmine and Ariana picked up their bags. jasmine picked up a few other things they might be needing and they left the house. Not after saying goodbye.
"Are we supposed to use the stone now?" Jasmine asked.
She was the custodian of the stone.
"I don't think so. Emerald told us to get to the mountains first"
"I almost forget we must find a hidden passage first, right? In an abandoned house"
Ariana nodded. "Yes"
"But do you know which mountain? There are so many mountains out there"
"I think I do. My mother has spoken about it before"
"Then you should know the road that leads to it"
Ariana smiled. "I do. Just like I know my ABC"
They journey through the woods and passed through some mountains. When it was night, they rested in a cave and ate what Ella had prepared for them. It took them a day to finally find the house.
"Finally" Jasmine muttered. She felt exhausted already.
"Should we begin to search for the secret passage?"
"No. I don't think I have the strength"
"But we don't have time"
"How about we take a little rest first?"
Ariana sighed. "Just an hour"
Jasmine nodded. "Yes ma'am"
An hour later, they began their search for the secret passage. They search carefully, and finally, they found it.
"Can we start our journey tomorrow?" Jasmine asked and Ariana nodded to it.
Finding the secret passage was difficult and took longer than they thought and if they decided to start their journey right now, without resting, they might not last an hour before passing out. They agreed to eat some food and have some food and have rest. For their journey continues tomorrow.
**
The ray from the sun shined so brightly into her eyes and she stretched slightly. Jasmine opened her eyes. It was morning already and they should be on their way. She woke Ariana up.
"It's morning. We should get going"
Ariana groaned. "Can't we sleep a little more?"
Jasmine dragged her up. "We can't"
Ariana opened her eyes and sighed. "Where are we?"
"You don't remember?"
"Of course I do. I just feel so tired to think"
Jasmine chuckled. "Let's eat first". She opened up the bag and realized they do not have much left. "I don't think this will last us. There is a pear tree outside. We should get some"
Ariana dragged her lazy self out of the bed and headed outside with Jasmine. They empty one of their bags and took it to the tree. After plugging out some fruit they sat down to eat.
"I have not apologized properly for not trusting you," Ariana said. "I should have trusted you. I feel bad right now"
Jasmine smiled. "There is no need to feel bad. I might have done the same"
"Are you trying to make me feel better?"
Jasmine nodded. "Yes. And I hope you did"
Ariana nodded. "I did. Thanks"
Jasmine stood up. "We should get going"
They returned to the house. Jasmine returned everything they had taken away from the bag.
"It is time" she announced and Ariana shrieked in excitement.
They opened up the secret passage and stared into it.
"Can you say where it will lead?" Ariana asked.
"No" Jasmine muttered and they both sighed.
Though they might not know where the secret passage leads, they can only hope it leads to a safe place. Closing the passage door behind them, they set out on their journey to find the witch that holds the map to the cave of the ever-burning fire.