Forcing my chin up, my gaze traveled from Pandora to Cassandra. “You’re the most powerful witches at the Network. If there’s anyone I trust to be able to help him, it’s the two of you.”
Cassandra turned to Pandora with a questioning glance. Pandora gave me a compassionate look. Her lips parted.
After a few seconds, she exhaled. “The thing is, Nova. The magic required to break the spell is best if it comes from you.”
My eyelids fluttered in quick, rapid succession as I stared back at her. “Wh-what?”
“Love is extremely powerful magic,” Cassandra explained. “Possibly the most potent form that exists.”
“With your connection to Diego, you stand a greater chance at breaking through whatever darkness has taken hold there, tainting his mind.” Pandora raised her fingers to her head.
“But—but I can’t do that,” I protested. “I don’t know how.” My fingers clutched at the leather-bound books on the bookshelf behind me.
“We’ll tell you what needs to be done,” Cassandra explained. “Your emotional connection to him can reach him better than that of any witch.”
My mouth opened and closed before I asked, “What if I screw up?”
Pandora turned away and cleared her throat before meeting my gaze once more. “The consequences could be severe. The damage to his mind irreversible.”
“Oh my, oh!” I sank back to the cushion on the floor. Peering up, I said, “I’m not sure I can risk that. We’re talking about the possibility of serious, permanent brain damage to the man I love.”
My gaze traveled over each of them as I sought for a sign of how to act. Some assurance that Diego would be okay.
None came.
With the graveness of the situation, there wasn’t any way to promise that.
Zoe took a few steps closer. “He’s already been deeply affected by what’s been done to him.”
Not the most comforting of words, but Zoe was straightforward. In other words, would it be much worse?
“What do you think, Lucas?” He’d known Diego longer than any of us in this room.
His lips, so often with a hint of a smile, now turned downward. “He’d rather die than have someone control him.”
I leaned forward and dropped my head into my hands. How did things take such a sharp, devastating turn?
“Nova, are you okay?” Gianna placed a hand on my back.
“I—uh—just need a minute.” My voice trembled under the weight of this massive decision thrust before me.
My skin felt hot, muscles tight. Diego’s fate was in my hands. I was utterly ill-equipped to help him. What did I know about undoing memory spells or reversing the effects of a love potion? Nothing. I wasn’t qualified for this task, which could have an epic, disastrous outcome.
“Just breathe,” she directed. “One deep breath after another.”
I took in a shaky breath, but my inhale was shallow.
Gianna’s phone buzzed, and she pulled it out of her pocket. “It’s Sebastian.”
I pulled myself to my feet and turned to her.
After she picked up the phone, she said, “Did you find him?”
Several seconds passed before she said, “Hold on. I’m at the Network with Nova, Pandora, Cassandra, Zoe, and Lucas. Let me put you on speaker.” She pressed the button and then extended her arm.
“Diego is with Diana,” Sebastian said. “She’s definitely involved and did something to his mind. When I tried to get him to remember you, he fell to his knees in pain, grasping his head.”
“No,” I cried. My heart lurched, aching for Diego.
