As Bella held her stone, she felt a strange warmth emanating from it. “Thank you, Henry,” she said softly.
Henry hesitated, a flicker of something like fear crossing his eyes. “I realized something last night,” he began slowly, turning to face Bella. “When the witch attacked you again, I was confused as to why my protection spell didn’t work as effectively. But I finally understood, it wasn’t the witch’s power that repelled my totem. It was... you, Bella.”
The room erupted into a chorus of confused murmurs. Asher, who had been standing protectively close to Bella, frowned. “What do you mean, Henry? How could Bella’s energy repel your protection spell?”
Henry took a deep breath, clearly choosing his words carefully. “Since I met you, Bella, I’ve sensed something... unique around you. An
