After leaving the ruins of the Weston estate, Blanche didn't go far. She took Snowy to a secluded cave in the wilderness outside Oakvale and set up a basic concealment spell before settling in to plan her next move.

"Narcissa holds grudges. The massacre at the Weston estate must have felt like sweet revenge to her," she said, sitting cross-legged with cold determination in her eyes. "But she won't stop there. I need to eliminate this threat."

Snowy lay beside her, looking up and letting out a soft whine.

Blanche stroked its head. "You think we should strike back, too, don't you? Just hiding won't solve anything. Besides…" The image of the charred ruins flashed through her mind. "Those innocent people can't have died for nothing."

She pulled out the pendant Dustin had given her and ran her fingers over its smooth surface, lost in thought.

Dustin might not be able to use his cultivation, but his medical skills were exceptional, and he carried himself with uncommon presence. He'd pro