Chapter 119: Wish Fulfilled

The vast marsh served as a natural barrier, discouraging reckless humans from wandering into its depths. Hidden behind that living fortress, the Irish Coven had lived quietly for generations, far removed from the struggles of the outside world. Their coven possessed a gifted truth-seeker, Maggie, and both Siobhan and her mate trusted her ability without reservation. Once Maggie confirmed that Sophie had spoken nothing but the truth, every trace of suspicion vanished from their faces.

"Sophie... I never imagined you would..." Compassion softened Siobhan's expression. Sophie' presence here could only mean one thing: she was no longer human. Swallowing the cruel truth before voicing it aloud, Siobhan smiled warmly instead. "Come. Bring your friend with you. You're welcome to visit our home."

Siobhan's invitation made it clear that both Sophie and Jane were being welcomed as friends of the Irish Coven. Turning around, Sophie carefully supported Jane's back before slipping one arm beneath her knees with practiced ease and lifting her gently from the car.

"Your friend is... wait." Siobhan's eyes widened. "She's one of the Volturi Guard!"

The moment Sophie bent down to carry Jane, she knew there was no longer any hope of concealing her identity. The large golden necklace bearing the unmistakable V emblem was impossible to overlook. The Irish Coven, who had only just relaxed, instinctively became wary once again.

Sophie had prepared herself for this moment long before arriving. She glanced down at the girl in her arms. Whenever Jane remained silent, she looked almost heartbreakingly delicate, like a flawless porcelain doll that might shatter if held too tightly. 

Clearing her throat awkwardly, Sophie smiled apologetically. "Siobhan... this is actually the reason I came to trouble all of you."

"You've come seeking treatment?" Siobhan asked in confusion. During her human life she had been a blacksmith, while her mate and adopted younger sister had never practiced medicine either. After exchanging puzzled looks with Liam, she shook her head regretfully. "I'm afraid we won't be much help, Sophie."

Liam, the only male in the coven, crossed the marsh first and thoughtfully pointed out a path that would allow Sophie to avoid muddying her clothes. Thanking him sincerely for the consideration, Sophie carried Jane along the narrow trail while following the Irish Coven toward their home.

During the walk, Sophie retold the story behind Jane's injury, though she polished the details with generous artistic embellishment. She exaggerated the drama without changing the fundamental truth of what had happened. By the time she finished, Jane had transformed into a tragic yet heroic figure, the fearless captain who had led an incredibly dangerous mission to safeguard peace in the vampire world, sacrificing herself and suffering grievous wounds in the process.

Maggie's expression shifted several times as she silently listened.

"It's true," she finally declared.

At least the objective facts all matched. As for the colorful embellishments, those belonged to the realm of storytelling. Artistic expression wasn't lying, was it?

Both Siobhan and Liam looked at Jane with newfound sympathy and admiration.

Sophie noticed the subtle change immediately. Liam had clearly been uncomfortable with strangers entering their territory at first, as any vampire naturally would be. But learning that Jane had been seriously injured stirred his compassion and softened his territorial instincts. The sense of intrusion had faded considerably.

The Irish Coven lived in the middle of a peaceful meadow.

Several rustic wooden cabins stood close together, each raised on sturdy stilts above the ground. Beneath the elevated homes sat open spaces furnished with wooden tables and chairs, perfect for spending time with family or entertaining visitors.

After gently settling Jane into the widest and most comfortable chair available, Sophie finally relaxed.

Liam naturally sat beside his wife without hesitation.

That left Sophie and Maggie sharing a long wooden bench.

The arrangement earned an unmistakably displeased look from Jane. Still, mindful of appearances, she restrained herself from criticizing Sophie in front of their hosts.

Siobhan carried herself with the unmistakable air of a family matriarch. Sophie had recognized almost immediately at the edge of the marsh that this entire coven revolved around her leadership.

"Siobhan..." Sophie began carefully, choosing her words with obvious caution. "I know what I'm about to ask sounds absurd, but Jane's condition is... extraordinarily difficult. So we... well... I took it upon myself to come here and ask for your help."

Meanwhile, the person at the center of the discussion barely seemed interested. Jane lazily inspected the weathered wooden cabin overhead, silently judging Sophie' confidently proclaimed "Room of Requirement." In her opinion, the place looked shabby enough that even a single brick from the Palazzo dei Priori surpassed it.

"A wound that even vampire venom can't heal..." Siobhan murmured thoughtfully. "I've never heard of such a thing."

The Irish Coven was small, and all of its members were relatively young. They had not received an invitation from Aro to the gathering held in May. Combined with their remote location, news traveled slowly to them. They had yet to hear about the vampire hunters or the werewolves.

"Everyone is completely out of ideas!" Sophie herself only understood fragments of the situation. Worse, explaining too much might reveal Jane's personal circumstances and expose confidential Volturi operations. Choosing her words with care, she omitted every sensitive detail.

Then Sophie brought up Garrett, finally revealing the true purpose behind their visit. Taking Jane on this journey hadn't merely been an excuse to lift her spirits.

"Garrett told me..." Sophie said earnestly, "...that you possess a supernatural gift capable of making wishes come true."

She looked directly into Siobhan's eyes.

"So... please."

"Imagine Jane completely healed."

Before Siobhan could even respond, Liam suddenly burst into laughter.

Jane's red eyes instantly sharpened.

Hidden beneath the table, Sophie quietly reached over and squeezed Jane's hand.

We need Siobhan's help. This is absolutely not the time to set her mate on fire.

"Oh... forgive me," Liam said quickly, realizing how rude he had sounded. "It started as nothing more than a joke I used to tell our friends. Every single time Siobhan and I disagree about something... she's always the one who's right."

As he spoke, he naturally wrapped an affectionate arm around his wife.

"My dear," he said with gentle warmth, "perhaps you really do have a supernatural gift after all."

Sophie had never witnessed such open displays of affection within the Palazzo dei Priori. Jane quietly turned her face away, looking as though she simply couldn't bear to watch.

Only Maggie seemed completely accustomed to the sight.

Compared to the regal atmosphere of the Volturi royalty, the Irish Coven truly felt like a family.

"Husbands are supposed to lose arguments to their wives," Siobhan scoffed. "What's so remarkable about that? Honestly, men make such a fuss over the smallest things."

She looked thoroughly exasperated that her friends' ridiculous rumor had somehow spread all the way to the Volturi.

"I absolutely do not have any wish-fulfilling gift.”