Chapter 5 The Crash

The world tilted. Metal screeched. Aria's head hit the window, and stars burst behind her eyes. The car rolled and glass shattered until it stopped, tipped on its side.

Lila groaned, her head against the dashboard. "Aria... are you okay?"

Aria pushed herself up, blood trickling from her temple. Her vision was blurry, but she could make out Lila's face, pale but alive. "I think so. Sister Agnes?"

The nun was slumped against the door, her habit torn, but her chest moved up and down. She was breathing.

Lila fumbled with her seatbelt, her hands shaking. "We need to get out. Now. The car could catch fire."

Aria nodded, her head throbbing. She crawled to the passenger door, pushed it open with a creak, and helped Lila out. The cold night air hit her face, sharp and fresh.

Outside, the car was a wreck-hood crumpled, windshield shattered. Smoke curled from the engine, but it wasn't on fire. Yet.

In the middle of the road stood a figure-a woman in a flowing white gown, her face hidden in shadow. She was tall, standing proudly, but something was off about her. Her edges were fuzzy, as if she wasn't completely solid.

Lila grabbed Aria's arm, her nails digging in. "Who... who is that?"

Aria's locket burned, hotter than before. She knew without a doubt. The Veiled One.

The figure stepped closer, her movements smooth, like smoke. "Aria Bennett," she said, her voice a whisper, like wind through leaves. "At last. I've waited so long."

Aria stepped in front of Lila, her heart racing. "Stay back."

The Veiled One laughed, low and cold. "You think you can stop me? I've waited a century. Your mother tried. She failed. You'll fail too."

Aria's hands shook, but she lifted the locket. It glowed with a soft, warm light, illuminating the woman's face for the first time.

Aria gasped.

The Veiled One's face was beautiful-high cheekbones, full lips, eyes a startling shade of green. But something was wrong with her eyes. They glowed, red and angry, like embers.

Eleanor.

A vision from the journal flashed in Aria's mind: 1897. A young woman, Eleanor, stands in a ballgown, tears on her face. A man-Ethan's ancestor-laughs, holding a letter. "You're nothing without me, Eleanor. Marry me, or I'll ruin your family."

Eleanor's face hardens. "I'd rather die." She runs to a cliff and jumps. The man screams. The Veiled One rises from the water, her eyes glowing. "I curse you. All who carry your blood will suffer. And I will return... in the body of a Keeper."

Aria's breath hitched. "Eleanor... you're Eleanor."

The Veiled One's smile was sharp. "Clever girl. Now, give me your body. Let me finish what I started. I want to live again. I want to feel again. And you... you're perfect. A Keeper, with power. With love." She looked past Aria at Lila. "Your sister's fear is delicious. And Ethan... he's been such a good puppet. But you... you're the key."

Aria backed away, pulling Lila with her. "No. I won't let you. You can't have my body. You can't hurt my family."

The Veiled One's hand glowed with a cold, blue light. "You have no choice. The veil is thin here. I can feel it. And with your fear, your anger... you're making it easier."

A twig snapped.

The Veiled One turned.

Ethan staggered into the road, blood on his arm, a gun in his hand. His face was pale, but his eyes were clear and determined. "Leave her alone."

The Veiled One hissed, her form flickering. "You. Traitor. I gave you power. I gave you purpose. I made you strong. And you throw it all away... for her?"

Ethan aimed the gun, his hand steady. "I never wanted power. I wanted her. I want Aria. And I'll do anything to protect her. Even if it means destroying you."

He fired.

The bullet hit the Veiled One, but she dissolved into mist, laughing. "You can't kill what's already dead, Ethan Cole. I am eternal. And I will return."

She vanished, the mist fading into the night.

Ethan ran to Aria, pulling her into a hug. His coat was torn, his arm bleeding, but he was alive. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. For everything. For hurting you. For not believing in you. For being too weak to fight it."

Aria clung to him, tears mixing with blood from her temple. "You came back. You fought it. You chose me."

He stroked her hair, his voice breaking. "I'll always choose you. I love you, Aria. I always have. And I always will."

Lila coughed, wiping blood from her lip. "As touching as this is... we need to get Sister Agnes to a hospital. And us somewhere safe. The Veiled One's not gone. She'll be back."

Ethan nodded, helping Aria to her feet. He pulled a first aid kit from his car, which was parked a few yards away and unscathed. "I know a place. A cabin in the mountains. No one will find us there. And I... I have a plan. To seal the Veil. For good."

Aria touched the locket, still warm. The photo inside seemed to glow. "Friends forever, Ethan."

She looked at him, hope flickering in her eyes. "Lead the way."

As they walked away, the Veiled One's voice echoed in Aria's mind, a whisper on the wind: "This isn't over. I will have your body. And when I do, I'll make you watch everyone you love die. Starting with him."

Ethan squeezed her hand. "I'm here. I'm not leaving. I promise."

Aria smiled, tears in her eyes. "I know."

And for the first time in months, she believed him.