"Seer, hurry up and tell us if that old man is the werewolf!"
The townspeople in front of me were still hounding me relentlessly.
I bit my lip and gave a stiff nod.
Shock rippled through the crowd as they clamored to know how Preston knew who the werewolf was.
He smiled smugly. "The spirit of our founder has chosen me. He saw my pure heart and grants me prophecies in my dreams! He knows the town suffers, and he sent me a warning."
Gasps of astonishment erupted around us, but I couldn't bear to listen anymore and fled home, my heart pounding.
The distant clamor was a dull roar. I sat on my bed, my mind racing.
Our town, Port Blossom, has a history of over two hundred years.
According to my family's records, in the hundred years since werewolves became a threat, there has never been two Seers at once.
Could someone have used black magic to spy on my visions and then fed the information to Preston?
Yes, that had to be it.
I couldn't think of any other explanation.
Soon, another murder occurred in town.
When I rushed over, Preston was already at the scene.
Seeing me arrive, a mocking smile touched the corner of his mouth. "Jasper, better work hard tonight. The townspeople are waiting for your vision!"
I took a deep breath, pushing down the hatred that churned in my gut as I surveyed the scene.
On the floor of the room was a large pool of fresh blood. The body of the victim, Ashley, was missing, and several tufts of gray fur were scattered around.
This was undoubtedly the work of a werewolf.
A young man nearby was trembling with fear. "I was Ashley's roommate. I spent last night at my girlfriend's house, and when I came back today, I found this!"
"Seer, was Ashley eaten by a werewolf?"
Just as I was about to answer, Preston suddenly yawned, and I instantly went on high alert.
"Jasper, don't be so tense. It's not dark yet, so I'm not going to sleep now."
My expression darkened, but I didn't waste my breath arguing with him.
As night fell, I once again entered the secret chamber in the archives.
Clutching the family heirlooms, I pushed my spiritual energy to its limits, forcing the vision to come.
Gradually, cold sweat beaded on my forehead, and the strain of using so much power left me drained, but a single thought drove me onward.
Faster, just a little faster. This time, I have to find the werewolf before Preston does!
After what felt like an eternity, a name gradually emerged in my mind.
I snapped my eyes open. The wall clock showed the time.
Ten o'clock at night.
The townspeople, terrified of another death before the werewolf was identified, were gathered for safety in the town hall.
When I stumbled out of the archives, my legs were so weak I nearly collapsed. A patrolling officer rushed forward to steady me, asking if I was all right.
I shook my head and stubbornly pushed myself upright.
Fortunately, the archives weren't far from the town hall. When I reached the main hall, many people were still awake.
A spark of triumph ignited in me, and I spoke quickly. "I've had a vision. I've found the werewolf who killed Ashley!"
"It's her roommate, Josh!"
The words were barely out of my mouth when the townspeople turned to me in unison, their expressions strange.
Preston poked his head out from the crowd, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Jasper, you're late. I've already announced the results of the vision for you. By now, Sheriff Quinn has probably already apprehended the werewolf!"
I bit my lip, my shock rendering me speechless.
Preston raised an eyebrow at me triumphantly. "I don't mean to criticize, Jasper, but as a Seer who receives so much attention and support from the town, you can't afford to fail in your duties again. Luckily I was here this time. Otherwise, someone else might have been killed by a werewolf tonight, and the blame would have fallen on you."
I stared at him intently, trying to find any clue on his face, when my girlfriend, Quinn, strode in.
She immediately stepped in front of Preston, shielding him. "Jasper, what's with that look! You should be thanking Preston. If he hadn't covered for you, you would have been a spectacular failure!"
Hearing their words, the gazes of the surrounding townspeople turned to contempt.
An icy dread washed over me, colder than any winter night.
How could this be? My vision this time was a full seven hours faster than my last one!
To prevent any leaks, I had refused the officers' request to stand guard outside the secret chamber, only allowing them to patrol outside the archives.
The result of the vision had been locked in my mind; I hadn't told a soul. How on earth did Preston know?
Could it be... he really was the Chosen One?
