On the other side, in the spirit world, Miria stood in the familiar cave. Only Noreen faced her. Miria looked around, worried.
"Where are the others?"
Noreen frowned slightly.
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"I need to talk to Grandmother Siobhan."
Noreen looked at her for a long moment.
"Is it because of the vow?"
Miria remained silent. Noreen sighed.
"Miria… I know you're angry and…"
"I'm not angry!" Miria shouted, her voice louder than she had intended.
At the same moment, in the real bedroom, the candles flickered violently. Asher, who was watching from the doorway, jumped slightly as he saw the flames dance chaotically.
Miria forced herself to calm down. Her voice became lower again, but tense.
"I'm not angry."
"Oh really? You're not looking for revenge because Vareck had your mother killed?" Noreen asked in a soft but direct tone.
"Grandmother… it's not only about that. Maybe the death of my present-day mother is the trigger, but…"
"The trigger?" Noreen repeated, surprised.
"Yes. I can't stop thinking about all those past lives… about all those people who died whom I could have saved if I had eliminated Vareck long ago."
"Miria…"
"No, Grandmother. No. You know I'm right. You and the others always taught me that the people must always come first… even before our own feelings. But we have been so selfish… and because of that, innocents are paying the price. You know, when I made that promise… I was shaken. You, Teona, and Nell were dead. Only Siobhan was still alive, but dying. Without thinking, I accepted. I didn't measure the full weight of that promise's constraints… Do the lives lost during all this time mean nothing? We are sacrificing lives just to save one single life."
Noreen opened her mouth to reply, but a familiar voice cut her off.
"She's right."
Both women turned. Siobhan appeared softly, her face serious. She approached Miria and took her hands in hers.
"She's right. We have been selfish enough toward the people for our own interests. Miria, my darling… forgive me for making you carry such a heavy burden. Now, I free you from it. If you have the chance to eliminate him… do it. And don't hesitate. The Vareck I knew has been gone for a long time already. But I didn't want to admit it… and because of that, innocents died. And you… you couldn't have your own life. But now, it's over."
She released Miria's hands and stepped back slightly.
"It's time to end this. Once and for all."
Miria nodded, her gaze determined. Siobhan disappeared. Miria was about to leave the spirit world when Noreen held her by the arm, her voice pleading.
"Don't listen to her words. She said that on impulse."
Miria turned to her, ready to reply, but Noreen cut her off:
"You can kill Vareck if the opportunity arises. But also try to reason with him… just one attempt. You are free to kill him if necessary. However… don't kill him out of revenge. Kill him to restore peace."
Miria remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
In the bedroom, Asher had now fully entered. He was watching Miria, fascinated and worried. Suddenly, all the candles went out at once. Miria opened her eyes, emerging from her trance. Spotting Asher, she almost instinctively cast a spell.
"Asher! Were you trying to give me a heart attack?!"
Asher raised his hands in a peace gesture, a small smile on his lips.
"That would surprise me. As vampires, our hearts no longer beat."
"Not wrong…" Miria admitted, relaxing a little.
"What exactly were you doing?"
"I was trying to contact some spirits."
Asher's eyes widened.
"What?!"
Miria burst out laughing.
"No… I'm kidding. I wanted to go back into my memories. Unlock certain things."
"And did it work?"
"A little…"
"Oh really?"
"Yes. Now I know who gave me the purple teddy bear."
Asher blinked, surprised.
"Uh… Miria, I thought it was just memories related to your father that you had forgotten."
"No. My father's spell was more complex. Not only did I have to forget him… but also everything related to magic, witches, vampires, the grimoire… everything. Absolutely everything."
Asher frowned.
"But… I just gave you a purple teddy bear. That's not magic…"
"Do you remember how you gave it to me?"
"Well… I made it levitate over to you… Oh."
"Yes. So that's why I had forgotten it."
Asher hesitated for a moment.
"And… about the grimoire?"
Miria lowered her head, feigning sadness.
"It's still blurry."
Asher approached and gently took her in his arms, holding her against him.
"It's okay. It will come. We have time."
Miria closed her eyes for a moment, her face buried against his chest, her heart a little lighter… and a little heavier at the same time.