I smiled bitterly. “I think I’m going to have to pass.”
She sent me a pout. “If you’re not with me, you are against me. And that simply will not do, you know.”
Before I even had a chance to run, ice began climbing up my feet, freezing me in place. I tried to pull my feet from the ground, but it was no use.
A welcome warmth sizzled across my feet as a swath of fire flickered across them. I looked up, startled to find Narcissa sailing through the air, rounding to come back, eyes narrowed as her mouth opened for another volley of flames.
The Ice Queen cursed, leaping out of the way of the fire that rained down from above, distracting her. I yanked my feet clear of the melting ice and stumbled back, falling onto my butt. I took a vial of troll blood and webbing from a giant orb weaver spider from my cloak, swallowing them quickly, although I grimaced from the acrid taste. When the Ice Queen turned back to regard me, however, I was ready. She threw her hands out, and a barrage of icicles shot out in my direction. A demon in the vicinity was caught in the crossfire—skewered through the middle—and stumbled to the ground, gasping as a projectile stuck out of him awkwardly. It would be an excruciating death, no doubt.
I would not be sharing that demon’s fate, however. As several icicles found my body, they shattered upon impact. My skin crystalized to rock. It would last only a few minutes, but it would be enough to deflect any projectile attacks from this witch, hopefully allowing me to escape.
The Ice Queen hissed her disappointment, then ducked aside as Narcissa returned with another round of fire. But as Narcissa turned to loop into another arc, the Ice Queen’s eyes surveyed her movements carefully.
“No!” I shouted.
I watched in horror as an icicle skewered Narcissa right through the middle of her small body. My familiar’s eyes widened with surprise, and then her wings went limp as she fell from the sky.
I ran as Narcissa hit the ground, bits from the icicle shattering around her.
“Horrid creature,” the Ice Queen said, tossing back her hair and walking toward the town square.
I reached Narcissa in a matter of moments, scooping up her body and pulling her into my lap. I stared down at the icicle still lodged in her stomach. Only the ends had broken off. A trickle of blood escaped the corners of her mouth as she gazed up at me with eyes that couldn’t quite focus.
“Narcissa,” I managed, tears stinging my eyes. Her body was twitching beneath me. “Don’t you dare leave me. You’re under contract.”
Narcissa gasped, then coughed. “I’m afraid cats aren’t very good at following contracts to the letter.”
A hiccup-cry escaped me, and I ran a hand over her little head. Her body felt so small. So fragile. “Narcissa,” I said. “Please.”
“I told you the fire would come in handy,” Narcissa managed.
“Yes, you can keep it. Just hold on.”
“Save the boy,” she continued. “He’s made you … less unlikable.”
I pushed my lips together and nodded, hands trembling. “You were … the best familiar a witch could have ever asked for.”
Narcissa smiled as she went limp in my arms, head rolling back.
A choked sob bubbled up and I cradled Narcissa against my chest.No, no, no.Not Narcissa. Not my one constant companion over the years. Who would keep me in line? Who would I find orchids for, just to have her lift her nose in the air at them? Who would color my every day at the potion shop?
“You can’t leave,” I told her, pressing my face into her neck. Gods, she already felt cold. “I won’t allow it.”
“Mr. Witch?”
I turned to find Therese and Freya. Therese’s eyes were wide. Freya looked on, crestfallen, eyes fastened to Narcissa.
“I …” I didn’t know what to say.
Therese stepped forward hesitantly and reached out to lift Narcissa gingerly into her own arms, gazing down at her. She rocked Narcissa, as if she were a baby. I couldn’t watch her, sliding my gaze instead to Freya, the lump in my throat nearly making it impossible to speak.
“Get Lexi,” I managed after a moment, mouth feeling dry and thick. “Now. We’ll need her.”
Freya hesitated. “Auggie is—”
“I’ll see to Auggie,” I snapped. “Now. Don’t waste time. It might take a coven to defeat them, and that means we need one more witch.” I gestured in Therese’s direction without looking at her. “And take the girl with you. A battlefield is no place for her.”
I spun on my heel and stomped away, making for the town square. I picked up my pace until I was in an all-out run, tears streaming down my face freely as rage scorched the blood in my veins. I glanced back only once to see Freya doing exactly as I asked, stepping through a portal behind Therese.
