The morning sunlight filtered through gauzy curtains, painting soft golden lines across the loft bedroom. Jor'Danna stretched beneath the sheets, her fingers instinctively reaching for the warm space beside her.
Empty.
She sat up, messy curls tumbling around her face, and spotted him in the kitchen, her fiancé. Kahlil, standing at the stove.
"Did I wake you?" he asked, taking the toast and bagels out of the toaster oven.
"My sixth sense kicked in and noticed my knight was not present, cuddling me and keeping me warm," she giggled, hopping up and skipping over to wrap her arms around him from behind.
"I wasn't gonna be gone long. Had to get up and get my princess some breakfast," Khalil said with a grin. "This knight is afraid of the beast you become when you're hangry."
She laughed into his back. "Well, at least you know how to properly tame this beast."
Matching her gaze, Khalil's hands slid down to Jor'Danna's thighs. In one smooth motion, he lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his waist. He kissed her softly, sweetly carrying her toward the bed.
He laid her down gently, his lips finding her neck as his hands slipped under her top, cupping her breasts with the same reverence he always gave her.
Jor'Danna let out a soft moan, her body arching instinctively. Eyes closed, she bit her lip and slid her hands down his toned back, reaching for the waistband of his shorts and started rubbing on him.
But Khalil caught her wrists gently and chuckled.
"Aht, aht, missy. We agreed, not 'til we're married."
"Ughhh, I knowww," Jor'Danna groaned, flopping back with dramatic flair. "You started it" she laughed.
"And I'll definitely finish it" he teased.
"Four more days," he whispered, kissing her softly. "Then you'll be my Queen. Til death do us part."
She smiled up at him, eyes glassy with love. "How did I get so lucky?"
"I'm the lucky one," he said, laying beside her. "Took me three years to get here , and I'd do it all over again."
Just then, her phone buzzed loudly on the nightstand.
"Ugh. I know it's my boss," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh yeah," Khalil laughed, handing her the phone. "Incoming call from Cruella de Bitch."
"I cannot wait for our honeymoon in Italy," Jor'Danna groaned, falling back into the couch. "Eight months of wedding planning, appointments, phone calls—ugh I'm burned out."
Khalil chuckled, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "I know, love. I just want you to relax and do you. Gotta stay calm and beautiful for the big day. Oh yeah, about last night, though..." He paused. "You had me a little worried."
She turned to him, brows raised. "Worried? Why?"
"Your other you," he said softly. "She came out."
Jor'Danna's stomach tightened.
"At first I thought it was you—like, you physically, but then I realized... you were still beside me asleep."
"Shit," she muttered, guilt coloring her tone. "I'm sorry, babe."
"It's fine, baby," he said, brushing a curl from her face. "I know your abilities are part of you. It's just... it hasn't happened in two years, and that other you, she looked as if she was standing guard ready to whoop ass! Was it a nightmare?"
"I don't know," she replied. "There's this man. I noticed I've been seeing him repeatedly the last few weeks. Never spoke to him or anything. First time I noticed him was across the street from the bridal shop when I was picking up my dress. Then again when I went shopping with Trevor a couple days later. A week after that—he showed up at my jobs fundraiser. Two days ago when I was getting groceries I noticed him in the store as well. Last night, he was in my dream. He was chasing me. I was afraid... but I was also angry."
Khalil's expression darkened. "I'm gonna get my guy Chase to look into it. He knows some people. And if I find out that man is stalking you—his brains will be on the sidewalk. No hesitation."
"Trust me," she said, balling her fist playfully. "If it came down to it, I'd fuck him up. I can handle him. But it's more than that. It's like he's studying me. Watching every move I make."
"Just be careful, baby." He kissed her forehead gently. "Share your location today, yeah? So I can pull up if anything feels off."
"Will do." She checked her phone. "After I deal with work nonsense, I'm hanging with Trevor and his boyfriend for a bit. Then I'm heading to Malibu... to visit my parents."
Khalil raised an eyebrow. "Visiting? You sure that's a good idea? It's been what—a year since that blow-up?"
"Yeah. But I've had time to reflect. And forgive," she said, her voice calm. "I want them there. Regardless of what happened... they're still my parents. And I want to hand them their wedding invitation in person."
"You're such a Libra" he laughed jokingly. "But you're right." Khalil pulled her in closer. "You've got a good heart, babe."
She giggled and went in for a kiss. "Thank you for supporting and protecting me! We better get going before we're late!"
Later That Day...
The café was loud, buzzing with lunch-hour chatter and the sound of fresh espresso being pulled in the background. Jor'Danna sat across from her best friend Trevor, a caramel latte in hand, dressed in a silky champagne-colored blouse and high-waisted jeans that flared at the ankles.
"You're glowing," Trevor said, sipping his green tea. "Like wedding-level glowing. If you float off the ground, I swear I won't even be surprised."
"Stop it," she laughed. "It's just a good day. Work didn't kill me, I didn't cuss out Cruella de Bitch."
"Okay then, growth!" Trevor interrupted, raising his glass in a toast.
"—and, I'm about to see my parents. Like... actually see them."
Trevor leaned in, his tone softening. "Girl, you sure about that? I mean, after last year—and the way they handled things, all because you dropped out of medical school to chase your dream of being a broadcast journalist?"
"I know," she said, her voice thoughtful. "But Khalil reminded me this morning, I'm a Libra. I can't live in imbalance. Even if they were wrong, I need to speak my peace. I don't want to look back on my wedding day knowing I let silence win."
"I agree, boo," Trevor nodded. "And you know I'm here if things go left, bestie!"
Jor'Danna smiled, heart full. "Thank you. Seriously."
She stood, gathering her bag and tossing her curls over one shoulder. "Alright—I'm heading up this road. Love you bunches!"
She blew Trevor air kisses, and he returned them with an exaggerated flair as she turned to leave, the gold light of the afternoon catching her as she stepped out into the world.
As Jor'Danna pulled up to the security gate of her parents' house, she sent a quick text to Khalil:
Made it.
A moment later, her phone buzzed.
Good. I love you, beautiful.
She smiled softly, then looked up as the gate slowly creaked open. The familiar driveway stretched ahead like a memory frozen in time.
Her father was outside, speaking with a group of contractors. Her mother, as always, was in the garden gloves on, back turned, lost in her roses.
Jor'Danna took a deep breath, grabbed the wedding invitation from the passenger seat, and stepped out of the car.
"Hey Mom... hey Dad!"
"Jordy!" her father called out, lighting up as he walked over and pulled her into a warm hug. "Look at you, baby girl!"
Her mother didn't flinch. She kept her back to them, still digging, as if the soil needed more attention than her daughter.
Jor'Danna's smile faltered. She turned to her father and held out the envelope. "I have something for you."
He opened it slowly, and his eyes welled with tears.
"I'm so happy for you," he said, voice thick with emotion. "You're becoming your own woman. Are you truly happy?"
She nodded, a small smile blooming. "Yes. He's so good to me. He's gentle with my heart. He really sees me."
Her father's smile softened. "That's all I've ever wanted for you."
He looked down at the invite again. "So, when's the big day?"
Jor'Danna hesitated. "Don't be mad... but it's in four days."
He blinked, then chuckled. "Better late than never! It's short notice, but we'll be the—"
"Four days?!" her mother snapped, finally turning around, her face tight with disapproval. "How dare you? You come crawling up here with a bombshell like this and expect us to be ready in four days, Jor'Danna?!"
"Donna," her father said sharply. "Enough."
Jor'Danna exhaled, holding herself together. "I had some things back home to handle... I just—I wanted to do the right thing."
Her father looked at her with understanding, but sadness flickered in his eyes. "Please call me when you're back. I love you."
He hugged her once more, then looked over at his wife with visible disappointment.
Jor'Danna climbed back into her car, eyes watering as she pulled away.
As Jor'Danna drove away from her parents' house, she put on a playlist of sad songs to match her mood. The music filled the silence, soft and aching.
Her phone lit up. Khalil was calling.
"Hey," she answered, trying to mask the disappointment in her voice.
"What's wrong, babe?" he asked, already hearing it in her tone.
She sighed. "My dad was great. Warm, supportive. But my mom? Cold as usual. Then she yelled at me... I mean, I didn't expect much, but still."
"Aww, I'm sorry, babe," Khalil said gently. "You did the right thing. I'm proud of you and I'm here for you, okay?"
"Thanks. I'm heading home now. Gonna stop and grab dinner and wash the car. Try to shake this off."
"Alright, my love. I'll see you in a few hours."
"I love you," she whispered.
"Love you more." The call ended.
She picked up takeout from a small corner market, then pulled into the self-serve car wash down the block. The sun had started to set, casting warm gold and deep purples across the sky. She played her music again, rolled up her sleeves, and got to work rinsing her Jeep.
That's when another vehicle pulled into the stall beside hers. Too close.
The door creaked open, and a man stepped out.
The moment she saw him, a cold chill ran down her spine.
It was him. The same man she'd seen at the dress shop... the bakery... the fundraiser.
This time, he wasn't alone. A woman stepped out of the passenger side and shut the door quietly behind her.
Jor'Danna's instincts screamed to get out of there.
She immediately shut her car doors and moved to leave, but the woman was suddenly there, right in front of her. Almost like she teleported.
"Hey. Jor'Danna Coweathers, right?" the woman said smoothly, too calm.
"Oh—no. I think you've got the wro—"
Before she could finish, the woman lunged, grabbing Jor'Danna's arm and yanking her by the hair. In a flash, Jor'Danna was slammed against the side of her Jeep.
Pain surged up her arm, and fear started to creep in.
The woman pushed her head harder against her Jeep. "I really do hate liars, we know who you are, and you need to come with us. Fight and you will regret—"
The wind quickly began to shift, and Jor'Danna's s eyes started to glow. A sudden burst of power ignited and a ghost-like figure burst from her body, crystallizing into a solid, glowing doppelgänger.
The phantom twin gripped the woman by the back of her neck and flipped her around. She grabbed the woman's wrist and effortlessly snapped it back with a sickening crack.
The woman screamed in agony.
The man quickly reached for something. Jor'Danna spotted the gun, and her doppelgänger dashed forward with lightning speed, twisting his arm until the weapon clattered to the pavement.
The woman reached for a knife, but Jor'Danna grabbed her first. She yanked the knife from the woman's hand turned the blade, and drove it into the woman's thigh with brutal precision.
Another gust of wind exploded around her as she landed a vicious uppercut, her fist colliding with the woman's jaw, sending her forcefully flying backwards into the concrete wall.
The woman hit the ground and lost consciousness.
The man leapt into the car and sped off recklessly, leaving his partner behind without a second thought.
Jor'Danna's phantom doppelgänger dissolved into a shimmer of light before reabsorbing into her body. Her eyes dimmed, returning to their natural brown as she stumbled back, shaken.
She scrambled into her Jeep and drove home, heart racing. Her Apple Watch beeped loudly. Elevated heart rate. Try to relax.
Her hands trembled as she pressed Khalil's name on her screen.
"Hey baby, yo—"
"He attacked me, babe!" she cried out, breath ragged. "It was him and a woman this time. They tried to take me, but my powers... they protected me. They took over.
"I'm on my way. Stay put," Khalil said sharply, already grabbing his gun.
Twenty minutes later, he burst into their studio apartment, chest heaving, face flushed with panic. Without a word, he rushed to her and wrapped her in his arms.
They stood there, locked in an embrace, their bodies trembling in sync.
"I'm just glad you're okay," he whispered, trying to keep his voice calm. "I'm gonna have my guy at the station watch the building tonight. And I'm not leaving your side."
Jor'Danna nodded, the adrenaline still slowly fading. Her body was here, but her mind was still back in that car wash, fists flying, eyes glowing.
"Don't even worry about dinner," Khalil said softly. "Tomorrow, we'll go on that pasta date. Just you and me. Fresh start."
"Okay, babe," she murmured, emotionally drained.
"I got you always," he whispered, holding her close.
She smiled faintly and rested her head against his shoulder, completely unaware that her life was exactly 24 hours away from changing forever...