A place to grow.
Fear ices my veins, and I stumble forward, determined to make sure Elijah survives. Otherwise, what the hell was this all for?
As my vision returns to normal, I stare down at his open wounds as they slowly, but steadily, knit back together.
“Are you okay?”
Looking up to Rainey, I force a nod and a slight smile. “Dark magic can be a fickle bitch.”
“It’s gone?”
“It’s no longer inside of Elijah. He’ll be fine now.”
“What happened to it?”
I stare down at my shaking hands, then shift my focus back to Rainey. “It’s gone,” I tell her. The partial truth is poison on my tongue, but even as I want to tell her the truth, I can’t bring myself to say it. Mainly because I don’t want to take this victory from her.
Tomorrow, we can search for a way to get it out of me before I completely lose myself. Our wins are so few and far between right now; giving us this one night is more important.
Though, I can feel it now, already trying to corrupt. Picturing a blast of light, I shove it back down in my body, urging my own magic to keep it at bay.
“I’m going to fucking kill Lucy,” Rainey growls. “Dark magic or not, I will drive a blade down into her heart.”
Dark magic.I consider her words. We were looking for a way to beat her—to destroy the dark witch without losing any more of our own. What if this is how we do it?
After all, the only way to defeat a dark witch is withdark magic.Magic that I now have surging through my veins. What if this is what had to happen?
Yes. We can take her out together.The voice promises me victory when all we’ve seen so far is defeat.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I look up to Rainey, who has her hand pressed to Elijah’s chest. “I’m fine,” I lie. Even as I connect the dots, the panic at the shadow now inside of me is all-encompassing. But, if I can use it to defeat Lucy, then find a way to get rid of it—the plan forms as Elijah groans.
“I’m right here, you big asshole,” Rainey says, through fresh tears.
“I’m going to go get your sister,” I say, quickly.
Rainey nods, so I step out of the room and suck in a deep breath. My phone dings with the arrival of a text, so I pull it out of my pocket and stare down at Tarnley’s name. My heart flutters, the same stupid-ass thing it does every time I talk to him.
Tarnley: Everything all right?
Me: Yes. Elijah will survive.
Tarnley: Good. Are you okay?
I consider his question. After all, the honest reply is no. No, I’m not all right. I just took in a shit ton of dark magic, and even as it thrills me that I may have what it takes to defeat Lucy, I’m equal parts terrified.
Over the years, I’ve seen dark magic corrupt even the strongest witches and warlocks. What if I can’t get rid of it?
Me: I’m fine.
Tarnley’s response is damn near immediate, leading me to wonder whether he hadn’t had it typed up beforehand, knowing I would respond as I always do.You can’t lie to me.
I don’t bother typing up a response as I shove my phone back into my pocket and turn to the wide-eyed human woman standing in the hall. “Go get Delaney. We need her and Cole,” I tell Winnifred.
“She’s not here. I already checked.”
“Shit.” Pulling my phone back out, I call Delaney, hoping like hell this wasn’t a hit on both Astor sisters. Thankfully, she answers on the third ring.