CHAPTER 1

THREE YEARS LATER

Astrid never heard about Sophia and her husband Caspian again. She has been worried about Sophia and her daughter. She often would have sleepless nights thinking about them and if ever Sophia's daughter was saved. It has been three years since they visited her, and not even a single year goes by without her thinking about them. She walked outside with her cat Aileen on her arms. The air was so fresh that people were busy with their morning routine. She waved at her neighbours, and they waved back. People around Boonville loved her and relied on her help. She loved how they understood her and never called her a witch. Astrid has always loved her hometown. Her mother relocated and left her to alone. They do talk from time to time, but they are not close. Jasmine, a little from her neighbor, was friends with Astrid she never understood why this little girl loved her so much. Aileen started yawning to get down because it was seeing Jasmine.

"Hey girl, missed me." Astrid shook her head, watching Aileen lick Jasmine face.

"She is my cat, Jasmine. Stop trying to steal her." They walked inside.

"I'm not. I promise you she loves me. I can't help it." They laughed.

"Why are you not at school?". Asked Astrid.

"It's a holiday today, Astrid, didn't you know?" She shook her head.

"I don't even pay much attention to holidays." Jasmine laughed.

"Yeah. I know so. Did you make those brown cookies?". Astrid laughed.

"I knew you were here for a reason, and yes, I did make them they are still warm." Jasmine rushed to the kitchen and took four brownies. "Oh my gosh, you really came here for them." She was laughing loudly.

"But they are so good my Mom does not make them like you do."

"Don't let her hear that." She nodded, chewing.

"You will take some when you leave and give them to your brother. I know he likes them, too."

"Colby never visits you, but you always give him something I don't get it." She shrugged.

"I guess he is not used to being around people he will come around, don't worry." She nodded.

"Astrid, why have you never showed me your magic?" Astrid was surprised by this question.

"You want to see my magic." She nodded vigorously. "Not today. How about tomorrow when you get back from school? I'll show you everything." She clapped her hands, jumping in joy.

"Oh, I can't wait. This is amazing." Astrid smiled, watching Jasmine eyes brighten with happiness. "Let's watch something before I get bored." She turned on the TV and started looking for what to watch. Astrid never thought about having kids, but Jasmine is giving her ideas. Will she ever have kids of her own. She pushes those thoughts away. Her eyes quickly darted on the room next to the lounge. There was smoke coming out of the door. She groaned, walking inside the room. Jasmine was not paying attention to what was happening. Astrid closed the door, glancing at the jar that was releasing the smoke.

"A visitor, huh?". She nodded lightly.

"Astrid, there's a car parked outside." Jasmine yelled, making Astrid move out of the room and locking it, walking to the door. She stopped when she was about to open the door, taking a step back.

"Jasmine, take Aileen with you, leave by the back door, and go home. I think Aileen will be sleeping over to your house tonight alright". Jasmine was confused but nodded, taking Aileen and the brownies, and ran to the back door. Astrid moved to the couch she was about to wait for whoever her visitor was to knock. A knock eventually comes from the door. She exhaled, walking to the door and opening the door, staring face to face with a man who had a scar above his left eye, blue eyes, a trimmed beard, and a muscular body. She did not move, letting him in they stared at each other, lost in each other's eyes. She touched her heart, turning her back to the man, and the pain quickly went away.

"You must be Astrid." His voice was bold and sharp. She nodded, staring at him.

"Who are you? Why are you here?". He grinned.

"I'm Dorian Reed, and I'm here to do one tiny thing that won't hurt." She gasped when he choked her, eyes widened out she tried to kick him but he was strong. She closed her eyes but was shocked when he let her go. She coughed loud, trying to catch a break. "Fuck." He cussed under his breath. He touched his earpiece listening to whoever was talking. He bend over and tried touching her but she moved back. "Look I was assigned to take you out, but I realised that I don't kill women my mother would be turning in her grave so, they know I failed, and many are coming to take you out well both of us out".

"You choked me!". She yelled. He nodded.

"I'm sorry for that, but we need to move". She shook her head.

"I'm a sorcerer my house is protected and I need to go my room before your man arrives here". He nodded they walked inside the room which had glasses with water that had color and books which he assumed were spell books. She poured green water on this big bowl and started chanting and grunting she took a book and drew this sign he didn't know what it meant. She poured the green water on the book and his eyes widen swing that the book was like drinking the water. She then placed the book down on the floor and it disappeared in front of his eyes. He cussed walking out. He should have not witnessed that, he should have not gotten inside this house. This was a bad idea.

Ray his friend asked through the earpiece.

"I fucked this up man". Ray groaned.

"I know but they do know I'm the best they got, so killing me would mean they are killing the whole organisation". Ray sighed. Reed was the best hitman the Odyssey organisation has ever had. He never missed when it comes to taking out a target, he has never been distracted before, he is a hard core killer who never regretted killing his target. But something strange happened when he gaze at Astrid. He felt alive when his eyes meets hers.