“He’s a blood witch.”
I looked up in surprise as Freya came around the corner of the building, wiping her hands. She shifted her gaze to Erik. “Isn’t that right?”
Erik stopped struggling. “Most people get a little … squeamish when they learn what I am.”
I frowned. “So, you don’t imbue weapons with magic?”
“Nah. People usually don’t give me a second thought once I sell them that boring ability.”
I looked back at the bloody fish and seal. He’d had to kill them to gain strength. That was why he looked healthier now than he had when we’d rescued him. And so quickly. “Last night, you went fishing so you could strengthen yourself from killing the fish.”
“And this morning,” he explained. “It’s my nature.”
“Yournature?” I said incredulously. I looked at Freya. “We can’t trust a blood witch. He kills. That’s what he does.”
Freya made a face. “Think about this for a moment though, Callum. Witchcraft is all about balance. Your friend Lexi heals people from the brink of death regularly.” She gestured to Erik. “Erik takes lives regularly. Nature remains balanced.”
I must have looked skeptical, because she added, “Plus, he can’t kill witches or he’ll die himself. Our deaths would poison his blood.”
I’d heard about the blood witch curse before. Technically, we would be safer around him than anyone. Hecouldn’tkill us without killing himself. When we returned to our friends, it would be a different story, but between Freya and myself, we could fend off this leech. I nodded my acquiescence.
Freya stepped directly in front of Erik and leaned forward until her face was mere inches from his. Her voice was low and dangerous when she spoke. “But if you lie to me again, I will personally see to it that the Ice Queen freezes your tongue right out of your head. Got it? AndIwon’t be cursed ifIkillyou.”
Erik nodded emphatically.
“Good,” Freya gave his face a playful slap and grinned. “I’m glad we understand each other.” She went back inside the structure.
Erik looked to me again. “I don’t suppose you’ll protect me from her too?”
I didn’t bother with a reply.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“You know thismakes us a coven, right?” Freya said, glancing between me and Erik. “Power of Three.”
Erik scowled and I agreed with the sentiment. He was the last person I would want to be in a coven with.
I crossed my arms. “Forming a coven is permitted in emergency situations. I consider this an emergency.”
Freya chewed on her lower lip, then nodded her agreement. “Very well.” She took a deep breath before exhaling. “Just be ready for anything. The Ember King is probably expecting us to return.”
“But he doesn’t really have fire-hounds, right?” Erik asked nervously. “I have a thing about dogs.”
I ignored him. “I’m hoping he thinks we died in the lava,” I said, adjusting the bag on my back.
“I’m just ready to be warm again,” Therese said.
“Gods, am I ready for that.”
Freya adjusted her grip on her swords and assessed Erik. He held on to a battle-axe awkwardly, knuckles white. She tilted her head. “Are you sure you’re ready? We could leave you here.”
“No!” Erik said, then cleared his throat and smoothed his hair back. “No. I’d much rather be with you than … here.” He grimaced. “I think.”
I rolled my eyes as Freya’s fingertips began to glow and then danced over the air, leaving behind symbols that were becoming familiar to me. A portal appeared, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally. We could ensure Auggie’s safety. If we weren’t already too late. I tried not to dwell on that thought as I followed Freya into the portal.
The frigid air transformed to dry heat in an instant, our surroundings bathed in red.
We were back in the dining hall. The lava from outside painted a macabre scene. It was as if we’d never left, although this time, we found ourselves alone.
