“Because I want to,” Dristan said.
With a snort, I punched Corwin so hard the man flew backward, smashing into a shelving unit with enough force to rattle the windows. Bottles shattered, glass rained and Corwin hit the floor in a ragdoll heap where he didn’t move.
Zara threw both fists in the air, while screaming, “Yes! Get absolutely wrecked, you string-bean bastard!”
Tasia barked a laugh, even while still fizzing with fury.Hanna’s mother finally reacted—by scowling.
“That was unnecessary.”
Tabitha glided forward, resting a deceptively gentle hand on my shoulder. “You hold your tongue, Greyleaf, or I’ll hex your face backward.”
Hanna’s mother’s eyes narrowed into slits. “This girl is our daughter.”
“No,” Hanna whispered weakly, her voice raw and cracked. She lifted her head slightly from my shoulder, her hair sticking to her cheek. “No, I’mnot.”
Her mother scoffed. “Don’t be dramatic.”
Hanna trembled harder and my jaw clenched so tight painshot up into my temples. I bent my head toward her, the words slipping out before I even decided to speak.
“Don’t listen to them,” I murmured into her hair. “You’re not theirs.”
Her breath caught at my words and her soft eyes looked up into mine, tears pooling at the corner.Zara stepped between Hanna’s parents and us, eyes burning like she was ready to hex their bloodline apart.
“She’s ours now.”
Every witch behind her nodded—silent, unified and unyielding. Hanna’s breath hitched again and the bond vibrated softly, like her heart couldn’t contain the sudden swell of hope. Zara lifted her wand high.
“Everyone,” she commanded, “form up. We leave together.”
Krusk and Enka instantly closed ranks around me and Hanna. Dristan motioned to his warriors, who lined up like a living iron shield. The coven shifted behind them, forming shimmering walls of protective spells—purple, gold, and violet lights humming in synchronized pulses.As we moved toward the manor entrance, Hanna’s body softened against mine, her head settling in the crook of my neck.
“Savla…” she breathed, voice like broken glass.
“I’m here,” I murmured. “I’m not letting you go.”
She pressed closer, letting out a tiny, broken sound that shredded me.Outside, Ribbon waited impatiently. The mountain toad was pacing frantically, croaking with such deep distress the bushes shook. When he spotted Hanna in my arms, he let out a long, guttural wail and hopped in crazed circles.
“I know,” I told him softly. “I know, boy. She’s okay.”
Ribbon stopped right at my feet, pressing his huge head against my thigh. I brushed the crest of his head gently with my knuckles.
Krusk guided us toward the SUVs, scanning every shadowwhile Enka darted ahead to yank open a door, eyes flickering protectively between Hanna and the tree line. Tabitha approached as we reached the vehicle.
“She’ll need detoxing,” she said quietly. “And grounding. That level of glamor poisoning can cause full hallucinations, time disorientation, or soul-splintering.”
My stomach lurched violently. “Soul—?”
“She’ll be okay,” Tabitha assured. “But she needs rest. And she needs someone she trusts near her.”
Hanna shivered against me. “Cold…” she whispered.
I wrapped my jacket around her shoulders without hesitation. She tucked her face into the oversized collar and inhaled softly before she settled like the fabric was sanctuary. LikeIwas sanctuary.
The coven began chanting again, their voices rising rhythmically and my clan moved to secure the perimeter, forming a protective corridor from the estate to the SUVs.Before climbing in, I looked back at the Greyleaf Estate.
The charred garden twisted with rot, the windows breathing shadows and the halls echoing with neglect and greed. It was the place that raised her, starved her, used her and discarded her.
My chest burned, and in that moment, without fanfare or ceremony or spoken vow, something inside me solidified.She wouldneverreturn here. Not while she lived, while I drew breath and the bond existed between us.
