CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE - What Loyalty Truly Demands

"Please, Mer," Vanessa finally whispered. "I need this chance." Meredith closed her eyes briefly, then nodded once. "Fine. But if this backfires—" "It won't," Vanessa assured her, squeezing her hand gratefully. "You're the best friend anyone could ask for." "I'm not sure about that," Meredith murmured, but she knelt opposite Vanessa as directed. Vanessa arranged the bloodied jacket in the center of the flat stone, placing the silver pendant carefully on top. From her backpack, she withdrew a small drawstring bag, emptying its contents beside the items: dried herbs, a small crystal, and a vial of dark liquid. "Is that blood?" Meredith asked, alarmed. "Chicken blood," Vanessa clarified quickly. "From the kitchen. The ritual needs a life essence, but it doesn't have to be human." "Small comfort," Meredith muttered. Vanessa ignored her, carefully arranging the components in a precise pattern around Aria's belongings. Her movements were practiced, suggesting she'd rehearsed this mom