“I don’t know, it was just a—a feeling,” I stammered, my thoughts spinning. I glanced over at Leo. “I thought killing Gayl and getting rid of his magic would break the curse, and when you said nothing happened, I assumed we failed. But wedidn’tget rid of his magic. Itookit. It’s still here, so the curse still lives. But—” I turned back to Ragnar, disbelief coursing through me. “The magic he stole. What if giving it back is what woke you?”
Ragnar’s tired eyes creased in confusion. “EmperorGayl? What is this about killing him? Will somebody please tell me what is going on?”
Morgana and I took turns quickly summarizing the events of the last month while my aunt tittered around him, fluffing pillows and refilling water and barely taking her eyes off of him. We explained how he’d fallen under the curse after the attack from the Shifters, how I’d taken his place in the tournament and been informed of his role with the Sentinels. When I told him how I found out I was Gayl’s niece, Ragnar shared a look with Morgana.
“Rose,” he began cautiously. “We’re sorry that we?—”
I brushed his apology aside. “You don’t have to be sorry. I understand. The Fates know I’ve kept my share of secrets. I’m just glad you’re here,” I said, squeezing his hand.
I explained how Leo and I had been searching for ways to stop the curse and were experimenting with using conventional spells in unconventional manners. When I mentioned the siphoning curse we’d found in my father’s Grimoire, Ragnar gave me an incredulous look.
“A siphoning spell…and you thought you could use it to siphon one’smagic?”
I nodded. “It worked. I got close enough to use it on Gayl and it—it took his magic.” I swallowed tightly. “It killed him.”
“And it almost took you from us too, Rose,” Morgana said, clutching Ragnar’s hand.
“It was the price I paid.”
“The price you…” Ragnar’s eyes narrowed. “Have you been usingbloodmagic? Is that how you performed this spell?”
Fates, not this again. “You sound like Leo,” I said, shooting Leo a dry smile.
“Yes, andwhoexactly is this Leo fellow?” Ragnar asked. He sat up straighter in the bed, already seeming to gain back a little strength. He raised an eyebrow expectantly.
Beau gave a wolfish grin. “Oh, Leo is Rosie’s?—”
“Are we really doing this right now?” I interrupted, crossing my arms.
Leo held his hand out to Ragnar. “My name is Zareleon Aris, sir, and I’m in love with your niece.”
My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. Morgana’s eyebrows shot high into her forehead.
Ragnar eyed Leo’s outstretched hand. “Aris, you say? As in, Branock’s son?”
“Yes, sir.”
I didn’t think I was breathing. My uncle stared at him. “Well, then,” he finally said, clearing his throat. “I have alot to catch up on.” He took Leo’s hand, and a smile played on the edges of my lips.
“Don’t think you’re out of the woods for this blood magic business.” Ragnar looked back at me.
“Trust me, I’ve learned my lesson,” I said hastily. “But itworked. The siphon spell worked. Just…not the way we expected. His magic went intome. I can feel it even now, like it’s pushing under my skin.” I ran a hand along my arm. “And I know it sounds crazy, but I think that’s how I woke you up.”
I told them about my final conversation with Gayl, about his purpose for creating the curse and how each time someone fell under its power, he gained pieces of their magic.
“By giving back that piece of yours, I was able to break the curse’s hold on you,” I finished, gesturing to Ragnar.
“Incredible,” my uncle said.
“She is,” Leo murmured in agreement. His fingers grazed mine, and a blush heated my neck and cheeks.
“Where’s Chaz?” I asked Leo. “I want to try again.”
“Are you sure you feel alright?”
“Oh, don’t go all protective on me now,” I teased, then took his hand and softened my voice. “Let’s go save your best friend.”
Nodding, he led me further into the infirmary, promising my family we’d be back soon. My anticipation built, along with that same urgent force of power, bordering on painful. It was like it knew what I was doing and where I was going. Like it wassentient. The magic of thousands of people lived inside me, vying for attention.
