The Tower Reversed: Back to 18 (Venus) novel Chapter 24

**One Step Changes Everything**
**By Ruby Parker**
**Chapter 24: The Protective Sigil**

Jim stood transfixed, his eyes glued to Venus as she delicately picked up her pen. With a fluid motion, she began to draw, each stroke purposeful and precise. One sigil, then another, and finally a third emerged from the tip of her pen. He was utterly astonished. “Ms. Burn can draw sigils too?” he exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.

The sight before him was nothing short of mesmerizing, whether it was genuine or not. The intricate designs seemed to pulse with a life of their own.

“These represent three protective sigils,” Venus explained with a serene confidence. “One is for Mr. Archer, one for Mr. Darcy, and the last one is specifically for you.” She folded each sigil into a neat triangle, her movements graceful, and handed them over with a warm smile that seemed to radiate reassurance.

Jim’s eyes widened in surprise. “I get one too? Wow! That’s amazing!” His excitement bubbled over, filling the room with an infectious energy.

Venus nodded, her expression turning serious. “However, I advise you to avoid traveling southeast for the time being.”

Her warning struck him like a cold wave crashing against the shore. He typically took Beachside Lane, which led directly southeast, to reach his workplace. “Ms. Burn, are you implying…?” he asked, his voice tinged with trepidation.

“I see a mark of blood on your path,” she replied, her tone steady but laced with urgency. “Keep the protection sigil close to you, and take the longer route around—it will safeguard you from potential harm.”

A shiver ran down Jim’s spine, and he felt his face drain of color. “Blood on my path! If I wear this, I’ll be completely safe, right? Maybe I can even ditch the seatbelt? That would be fabulous!” His mind raced with the possibilities, a mix of thrill and disbelief.

Venus blinked, her expression unchanging. “If you’re that eager to attend your own funeral, then by all means, go ahead.”

After their conversation, Jim returned to the Weston Mansion, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling within him. He approached Darcy, presenting both the prescription and the sigils with a sense of urgency.

“You’re telling me Ms. Burn wrote this prescription and drew the sigils?” Darcy asked, his voice laced with surprise. “But her background check indicated she barely completed school and had dismal grades.”

He dismissed the papers casually, assuming they were just random nonsense.

However, the elderly man sitting beside him, Herb Blanton, leaned forward, his interest piqued by the prescription. “Darcy, let me take a look at that,” he urged, his eyes narrowing in concentration.

Darcy handed it over, explaining, “Dr. Blanton, my grandfather was fortunate enough to be saved in time, but the doctors warned that his heart condition could affect him for the rest of his life. They suggested surgery, but he refuses to undergo it. That’s why I’m seeking your opinion—anything that could ease his suffering.”

Herb was a prominent figure in holistic medicine from Vueburg, and having him make a house call was nearly a miracle.

He examined the prescription in silence at first, his calm demeanor gradually shifting to one of excitement.

Darcy noticed the change in his expression. “Dr. Blanton, is there something wrong with it?” he inquired, concern creeping into his voice.

Herb looked up, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Wrong? This prescription is nothing short of brilliant! Whoever crafted this is a genius in holistic medicine!”

Jim spoke with respect, “These are rare medicinal herbs from Mr. Weston’s private collection. He understands your healing skills and prefers practical gifts over extravagant jewelry, so he thought you might find better use for these.”

Inside each box lay ingredients so rare that they were practically impossible to find on the market.

Venus let out a soft laugh, feeling a mix of gratitude and disbelief. “Your boss is far too generous. Well, I’ll graciously accept them.”

In truth, some of those herbs were precisely what she needed.

Eighteen years of hardship had taken a toll on her health. Skylor had invested a fortune in rare ingredients to nurse her back to health.

He used to joke, “Without these herbs, that fragile little body of yours wouldn’t last three years.”

Though she hadn’t seen Skylor in ages, the lessons he imparted—every remedy, every formula—remained etched in her memory. Now, she felt more than capable of healing herself.

“Hmm, Ms. Burn—no, Ms. Oracle! I have a small favor to ask,” Jim began, scratching his head nervously. “On my way here, I almost instinctively took Beachside Lane. But then I recalled what you mentioned last time, so I altered my route. Later, I heard on the news that a semi-truck lost control there—a steel coil rolled off and crushed someone. I swear, if I’d taken that path, I would have been in that wreck!”

He shuddered at the thought, then added earnestly, “Ms. Oracle, now I genuinely believe in your abilities. Could I purchase three more protective sigils from you? I want to keep them for my family.”