Miles looked around and glanced back at Shaffy, who was trying not to break a sweat.
"What is that behind you?" Miles asked.
Shaffy froze for a second, then smiled foolishly. "Oh, it's nothing." She slowly stretched her hands forward, revealing the amulet. "I thought some maids were coming. If they saw this beautiful necklace, they might want to steal it. So I kept it behind me."
Miles nodded. "Okay then. Give it to me."
Shaffy bit her lip in hesitation but handed it over with a forced smile.
"You better be done in thirty minutes." Miles left.
---
At Gandulf's mansion, Herakim, Nimona, and Gandulf sat in contemplative silence.
"I can go to the spirit realm and bring her back," Gandulf said with determination.
"That's dangerous because—" Herakim began.
"Then I'll go with him." Nimona interrupted, smiling at Gandulf. He returned the smile.
"I said it's dangerous. You may never come back," Herakim warned.
"You said I may never come back. Which means there's a possibility I will. I will not stand here while our last Savior is dying. If she dies, I have failed my pack. Werewolves from different countries came to New York because I promised to lead them to success." Gandulf's voice was thick with frustration.
"I know you care. But if you go, it will be in vain. No one can bring her back and still return alive. You will be stuck like her."
"It doesn't matter. As long as Lillian is back, if we get stuck, there will still be a Savior for the surviving werewolves," Nimona said.
"You are not to go to the spirit world," Herakim said firmly.
"Then what are we going to do?" Nimona asked.
Herakim Healer opened the door and walked in. "We summon her previous self and send her to the spirit realm. Lillian is the only one who can save herself from death."
"What are we waiting for? Let's go and bring her back right now." Gandulf stood, ready to leave.
"We are waiting for the last night. That's when her spirit is trying to leave this world," Herakim Healer said.
Gandulf looked disappointed.
"We wait for the third day. But before then, we have to find the tools needed to call her spirit," Herakim said.
Silence filled the room.
---
At Hazel's house, she was fuming with anger. "What do you mean Miles collected the amulet from you? Are you dumb?" She paused, listening to the other person on the line. "I am warning you – if you don't get me that amulet before Tuesday, I will kill you. Mark my words."
She hung up and dropped her phone on the bed, biting her nails in anxiety.
---
Night came faster than anyone expected. Blaine and Miles, though in different locations, couldn't stop worrying about Lillian.
Blaine stood in front of Lillian's room, even though he knew she wasn't there. He looked like he carried a heavy burden. He held his stomach, which still refused to heal. He sighed over and over.
He entered her room. The emptiness was obvious. The window was open, and the night breeze blew in. Blaine went to close it but was drawn to the stars.
Tyler walked in. Without looking back, Blaine already knew it was him.
"Lillian must have loved watching the stars," Blaine said.
"Nah. She probably doesn't even like things like that. You know she likes to act cold." Tyler walked closer, trying to comfort him.
Blaine giggled. "Why did she have to bring me back? I never asked her to do that. I was okay dying. But not her." His voice cracked.
Tyler placed a hand on Blaine's shoulder. "She'll be back. You know how she always brags about what she suffered to get to where she is. She won't back down."
Blaine faced him. "Are you sure?"
Tyler looked away.
"You see? You're not sure." Blaine glanced back at the stars.
Tyler sighed.
---
At Mr. Hudson's mansion, Miles stared at Lillian's unconscious body without saying a word. Shawn entered.
"It's time for my shift," Shawn said.
"Don't bother. I'm not ready to leave," Miles said without making eye contact.
"Your father said you haven't been sleeping or eating. You should rest. I'll take over." Shawn moved closer.
"I can't bring myself to sleep when she's like this."
Shawn exhaled. "I know. I'm restless too." He found a chair, brought it over, and sat beside Miles.
"I guess we'll watch over her together," Shawn said. The room felt a little less empty.
---
The days passed. Danger drew nearer. Hope of Lillian returning on her own was as low as winning the lottery with one ticket. It was now the last night – the last chance to bring her back.
At the castle, everyone paced anxiously. Tension filled the air. A phone sat on the glass table in the middle. They all stared at it at some point.
Suddenly, the phone rang. Bryan rushed to it. "It's Herakim Healer!" He put it on speaker. The others looked relieved but still nervous.
"How is it? Are the instruments ready?" Bryan asked.
"Yes, they are. I'm on my way to the mansion. I want you all to stay calm – don't do anything rash." Herakim Healer paused. "You guys know I'm Herakim Healer, and this is what I do for a living, right?" He hung up.
"I really hope it works," Blaine said.
Everyone looked down with expressions that said the same.
---
At Mr. Hudson's mansion, Hudson, Miles, Shawn, Herakim, and Gandulf waited in Lillian's room.
"It's 9 AM already. Where the hell is he?" Miles muttered angrily.
Herakim Healer barged in with tools in his hands. "Speak of the devil," Miles said as Herakim Healer hurried.
"We have to hurry before 12 AM. Move away a little." He signaled Herakim to help with the red rope and thick sticks.
They formed a square around Lillian with the rope and sticks. Herakim Healer placed four silver spears that stood upright, glued to the floor. The spears glowed, their light converging toward Lillian's forehead. He brought out a huge ancient book and opened it.
"This is going to take a long time." Herakim Healer and Herakim stood across from each other and began chanting.
---
In the spirit realm, Lillian sat on a rock. "Do you know what day it is? Is it time for me to go?" she asked the banshee.
"Not yet. But soon, you'll die," the banshee said.
Lillian sighed.
"So pathetic." A voice came from behind. They turned.
Lillian stood up, shocked. "You're… me. Who are you?"
"I should be asking you that. Because I know I would never choose death – no matter the situation." The enthusiastic one stepped forward.
"I will never accept that kind of punishment. When I suffered, where was it? If I die now, I'm accepting that it owns me."
"Do you remember when a priest saw through me when we went to bury Hudson's first wife? He said grace brought me to the top. I don't believe it. I believe I got there myself. No one must see me as weak. If I die because I lost the will to live, I am weak. I will not let death define me. My success will. I am only twenty‑three, and I don't plan on dying young. Get a grip on yourself. Let's go back." The enthusiastic one's voice was fierce and determined.
"I don't care about that bullshit. I'm not going back." Lillian turned to leave.
"You will die and leave that young boy alone?. Just like you, he has no one on his side."
Lillian turned back, tears filling her eyes.
---
In the human world, Lillian moved. Everyone gasped. The chanting stopped.
"Call her name!" Herakim shouted.
"LILLIAN!" they screamed.
---
In the spirit realm, Lillian heard voices. "What are those voices?" the enthusiastic one asked.
"They are not voices of the ones we know. They are voices here to kill you. It seems the amulet is off. It doesn't matter that things are slower here than in the human world – if they don't get her amulet, we are doomed."
---
In reality, everyone stared at Lillian. "Why isn't she answering? Why isn't she waking up?" Gandulf asked impatiently.
"It's fifteen minutes to twelve!" Miles exclaimed.
"What could be wrong?" Herakim asked, confused.
---
Meanwhile, Shaffy crept out of Miles's room with the amulet in her hand. She closed the door quietly and walked to a corner.
She dialed Hazel's phone. Seconds later, Hazel picked up. "I found it in a drawer in his room. How do I get it to you? I can't leave – I'm Lillian's personal maid," Shaffy whispered.
"I'll be there soon," Hazel said and hung up.
"But you can't get through – the barrier," Paul said.
"Actually, I can. Even though I'll be near death by the time I get in." Hazel grabbed her car keys.
---
Back in Lillian's room, Herakim looked around. "Wait. Where is the amulet?"
Miles's eyes widened. "Amulet? You mean the thing she had on her neck?"
"Of course. The absence of the amulet is what's stopping her from waking. Don't you know where it is?" Herakim asked.
"I do." Miles rushed out and ran to his room.
He searched frantically. Nothing. He ruffled his hair in frustration and groaned. Then he realized.
Shaffy.
Shawn entered. "Haven't you seen it?" he asked desperately.
"It's been stolen. By a maid." Miles's voice was thick with regret. He ran out.
"Shaffy! Shaffy!" he shouted along the corridor.
---
Shaffy received a call from Hazel. "Come outside. I'm at the gate." Hazel hung up.
"Fuck!" Shaffy cursed. She heard her name and sneaked out, making sure no one saw her.
She reached the gate. It automatically opened for Hazel. Hazel pushed against an invisible barrier – one only she could see. She pushed with all her might. Blood started flowing from her mouth and ears, but she didn't stop.
Inside the mansion, Shawn checked his wristwatch. "Five minutes left," he said in frustration.
"Hazel's outside!" Gandulf screamed and ran. The others followed – but it was too late.
Shaffy reached Hazel. Hazel finally broke the barrier, fell to the ground helplessly, and received the amulet.
The others stared in fear as Hazel squeezed the amulet. It shattered into pieces. Hazel grinned, then collapsed.
"No!" Miles screamed, tears streaming down his face. Gandulf bent down, hands on his head. Shawn bit his lip in anger.
---
In the room with Hudson, Herakim, and Herakim Healer, the wall clock struck 12 AM.
Lillian closed her eyes.
---
End of Chapter 23
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The amulet is destroyed. The clock has struck twelve. Is this the end of Lillian Silver? Drop a Power Stone and add to library – Chapter 24 is coming fast.
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This version is polished, consistent, and ready to post. The ending is devastating. Good luck!