I stare at the bowls in silence for a few seconds, each one promising its own flavor of agony, none of it feeling completely real. “This is insane.”
“Yes.” He doesn’t even try to sugarcoat it. “But it’s also necessary.”
“How many others know about this and have access?” I ask, needing to know I’m not the only idiot willing to submit myself to torture for access to secret passages.
“Of those of us currently on the island, only two.” His expression closes off. “Myself and one other.”
“Who?”
“I can’t tell you that. I gave my word, and I don’t break promises. Not unless I absolutely have to.”
I want to ask more, but I know better than to push Logan when he gets like this. Plus, I respect the fact that he doesn’t break his promises.
At the same time, this means there’s a mystery person wandering the secret passages. Maybe more than just one, since Logan might not know abouteveryperson who’s gained entry over the years.
“This feels like demon worship.” I eye the bowls again. “Or a satanic ritual.”
“Jade, listen to me.” He steps closer, his tone growing with urgency. “I’ve searched every text, every archive, every whispered legend, and there’s no witch in recorded history who can do what you do.
My blood chills. “What does that mean?”
“It means the Council will want to study you. Experiment on you. Try to figure out how your magic works, and how to replicate it or destroy it.” His hands clench into fists. “At the Hydra trial, when I saved your life, I swore to myself that I’d do everything in my power to protect you. Like I told you, I keep my promises. So now, I need you to trust that I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe.”
Safe.
When was the last time I felt safe? Really, truly safe? Not since discovering my magic, that’s for sure. Maybe not even before then, when everything I did had to be a perfect performance to meet my parents’ impossible standards.
“Okay.” The word escapes my lips before I can think twice. “I’ll do it. But if I die, I’m haunting you forever. Every shower, every meal, and every boring proctor meeting… ghost Jade will be there making your life hell.”
“Every shower?” A real smile tugs at his lips. “That haunting sounds more like a reward than a punishment.”
Heat rushes through me, and sparks crackle at my fingertips.
“But I unfortunately won’t be able to enjoy your hauntings in my shower,” he continues, his tone turning business-like again, “because we’re going to keep you alive.”
“Right. Good plan.” I nod quickly, forcing my eyes away from Logan and focusing on the first bowl. “What do I do?”
“Did you bring your weapon?”
“Right here.” I remove my dagger from where it’s sheathed at my side. Even though it’s simpler than the weapons the others were given, I love it. It’s like it was always meant to be mine.
Logan nods in approval. “The cut needs to be deep enough to bleed freely, but not so deep that you lose too much blood and pass out.”
“Where?” I study the blade, my heart pounding at the idea of using it to hurt myself.
“Across the palm. Clean and quick. The magic will know when you’ve given enough.”
Not wanting to overthink it or give myself time to chicken out, I position the blade against my palm, take a breath that does nothing to calm my racing heart, and slice.
The pain is sharp and immediate. Blood wells up faster than I expected, and I hold my hand over the bowl, watching the drops fall into the clear water below.
“That’s it. Just let it flow,” Logan murmurs, although his voice sounds surprisingly strained. “And don’t let it heal. Not yet. Tell your body to keep it open.”
It’s harder than it sounds, since my bodywantsto heal. But with Logan’s guidance, I connect with my magic in a way thatcommunicateswith it that it’s too soon to heal the cut. And while the healing still starts—I can’t stop it completely—I manage to slow it down enough to keep the blood flowing.
When I glance back up, I see that Logan’s whole body has gone rigid. The muscles in his jaw are working like he’s grinding his teeth, and his hands...
He’s gripping the edge of the altar so hard that the stone cracks under his fingers.
