“Imagine one of the creatures before you, my dear,” Merlin prompted. “It might help draw the dark powers out. When you’re ready, try the spell.”
Eva’s eyes narrowed. “Itoarazicus.” Her voice wobbled.
As it had the day before, sunshine yellow magic appeared and fizzled, doing nothing.
Eva scowled and spoke the word again, louder this time.
Once more, her yellow magic made an appearance before quickly disappearing.
She threw up her hands, already frustrated.
I pressed my lips together. It wasn’t like Eva to lose her cool so quickly, but I understood why it was happening. This seemed like an accessible baby step. If we couldn’t do this, would we be able to access the dark power at all?
“Let me try,” I said, wanting to give my friend a moment to collect herself.
Stepping away from Merlin and Eva, I inhaled deeply.
You can do this.
An image of a wraith popped into my mind, but I shook it away and envisioned Ishtar. If I was going to access demon magic, might as well go big, right?
Staring into the green woods, I could practically see her standing before me, smiling a dangerous smile, her blue wings spread, and her horns glinting in the sunlight.
I shuddered, and surprisingly, my ankle began to burn. I cocked my head. That had never happened when I’dthoughtof Ishtar before.
Digging deeper, I added detail to the vision. Spirals on her horns, claws, and even the black jewelry and crown I’d seen her wear. With each detail added, she grew more real, more ominous, and my scar burned hotter.
I extended my hands. “Itoarazicus.”
Fuchsia magic flew from my palms, but like Eva’s magic, it fizzled out and disappeared.
I dropped my hands, and was turning to tell Eva and Merlin about my scar burning, when I noticed my best friend was clutching her face, wincing.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” she replied. “When you worked your magic, my scar seared. It didn’t do that when I spoke the incantation.”
My spine straightened, and an idea washed over me. “What demon did you envision when you cast the spell?”
Eva arched a brow. “A succubus. You know the one.”
I did. The biotch who scarred my friend’s beautiful face.
“You should try the incantation again,” I suggested, “but this time, envision Lucifer.” I paused, because I knew she wouldn’t be comfortable with the next bit. “And touch my scar when you do it.”
Eva jerked back as if I’d struck her. “But . . . why? What if I hurt you?”
“Then it hurts.” I shrugged. “Can’t be worse than when Ishtar branded me.”
Merlin inched closer. “I understand what Odette is getting at. It’s a clever workaround. This would be easier for both of you if you were confronted by an actual demon, and could feel their darkness closing in. Perhaps touching the other’s scar while envisioning your greatest enemy will bring the dark magic to the surface.”
He turned his gaze on me. “But Eva is correct. You may well be injured—or perhaps, because you possess demon magic, the spell could work on you—bind your powers. Are you willing to take that chance?”
I hadn’t considered that. “Would it only bind my demon magic? Or my witch powers too?”
“There’s no way to know,” Merlin replied.
I chewed on my bottom lip. Was I willing to return to a state in which my powers were useless?
