“I…stop…no…I can’t…”
The man was now beside himself, stuttering, unable to finish a sentence.
“Shooting everywhere…so many dead around you, my Lord, and by the hands of your allies. Why you might just as well have shot your men yourself…” Perry delivered the final blow.
Finn stepped forward, the buttons on his borrowed uniform gleaming dully in the low light, knowing that he was in the shadows and the only man who could see him was Faversill, standing behind the desk and in the perfect position to look out the door.
Hecate picked up the little picture she’d held in her lap, looked once more at the young man’s face, and then stared at Finn, pulling on forces within her to affect a transformation so stunning…
“No…no…no…Jesus Christ…”
She held her focus in spite of the shrill scream from Faversill.
“It can’t beyou… You’redead…”
Hecate continued to maintain the illusion, knowing that instead of Finn, Faversill was seeing Johnny Marchville. Or perhaps he thought it was his ghost. She clenched her teeth, drawing on every ounce of energy she could summon.
“You can’t be here, Marchville…I shot you, dammit. I saw you fall…I killed you.” Faversill cried out the words and they echoed throughout the hall.
Hecate added a final touch—a bloom of blood on the front of the uniform. She hoped it would suffice because her vision was blurring now…
“No, no, no, nooooo…” The scream rang through the house.
There was a sudden sound—voices shouting—a massive crash...and then silence.
Hecate slumped in her chair, releasing the vision, letting go of the illusion that had turned Finn Casey into Johnny Marchville’s likeness.
It was done.
*~~*~~*
“Hecate, can you hear me?” Finn was beside himself with terror. “Hecate…”
He’d felt the transformation, like thick jelly sliding all over his face. It was the strangest sensation, but thankfully he didn’t have to endure it for too long.
As soon as it was over, he rushed to her side, but she was still, unmoving, sprawled awkwardly in the chair.
“Up here, Finn. Bring her upstairs.” Letitia shouted down over the bannister.
He did as he was bid, picking her up and carrying her to Letitia who showed him into a guest room. “On the bed with her.”
“She’s alive. I can feel her breathing,” he stuttered, “she’s alive, Letitia.”
“I know, dear. Just put her down and we’ll see what’s going on.”
The practicality in her tone eased Finn’s mind a little and he obeyed, staying close as Letitia made her sister comfortable.
“Not that I know much about these things, but her pulse is strong, so I would guess she’d just flat out drained herself.”
“I was afraid of this,” whispered Finn, stroking Hecate’s hair. “So afraid.”
There was a bustle at the door and Kitty ran in, followed by James and Max.
“How is she?” Kitty hurried to the bed and stood beside Finn.
“She’s unconscious right now,” said Letitia. “But she has a good pulse, and colour in her cheeks. We won’t know much more until she wakes up.”
“Hecate love. Please. You saved me. Don’t leave me now.” Finn leaned over and dropped a kiss on her lips.
