The elders all look at each other as if reluctant to agree, but eventually, Faye slides the scroll across the table. Sadie picks it up, taking it to the floor in front of the fireplace to spread it out.
“Come and join me, Owen,” she says.
I drag myself out of my chair to stagger across the room and slump onto my knees beside her.
“I know you’re in pain,” she says. “But trust me, please. I know I can help. Do you know what to do?”
I shake my head as Sadie hands me a small knife. “I’ve done it a few times now,” I answer. “But I wouldn’t say I know what I’m doing.”
“It’s okay,” Sadie says, scattering the herbs across the scroll. She nods to me, and I cut my finger—next to previous cuts that have not yet healed—and let one drop of blood fall onto the parchment as I say the words.
“I, the alpha, begin the search for she who is dearest to my heart. Our souls are entangled, and our strength is shared—by becoming one, let all curses be undone.”
To my shock, the drop of blood hisses and shoots around the page, moving as if it has a will of its own. Sadie watches intently until it comes to rest at a certain point on the map, then spreads out to bloom into a flower-like shape.
“Oh my God,” she whispers.
“What is it?” Sylvie asks, from behind me. I jump a little, not realizing that the elders had come over to watch.
“That’s where my friend Trina lives,” Sadie replies.
“How can you possibly tell that?” Darla snaps. “It’s an ancient map, with no buildings on it.”
“I recognize the lay of the land,” Sadie says, waving her hand above the map. “And I can feel the energy flow through it. Remember, Lynette drew this map, and I have her blood.”
“I still think it’s far-fetched,” Darla mutters.
Sadie shakes her head and points at the mark. “It’s right on the spot where her house is,” Sadie says. “I know the place, as well as being able to feel her energy. If you need any more convincing, the mark is clearly a tulip, and they are Trina’s favorite flowers.”
“So, what do we do now?” Faye asks.
“You should go!” Neville says excitedly. “You should go to her, right now!”
“Wait,” I say, shaking my head. “Trina is human.”
Sadie nods. “Yes, she is. I work with her every day, and she is completely human. I sense no magic in her at all.”
“Then this has to be wrong,” Sylvie says. “We were skeptical when you were chosen,” she says to Sadie, “but obviously, that result was because of your blood and connection to the packs. This is just some random female.”
“I agree,” Sadie says. “But I felt the magic move through me. I believe the spell worked.”
“I’m not crazy about bringing a human into the pack,” Thorne says. “Owen’s line is strong, and he deserves better.”
“I’m not crazy about completely disrupting my friend’s life,” Sadie says, her voice hard. “She doesn’t deserve any of this—especially if she’s innocent and this was a mistake.”
“What do you suggest?” Faye asks.
Sadie sighs. “Let’s wait twenty-four hours, then try again. I think it’s worth doing. I want to be absolutely sure about this before we upset Trina.”
“Agreed,” Darla says. “Except about the upsetting-Trina part.”
Sadie turns to look at Darla, and the two women glare at each other. Eventually, it’s Darla who looks away.
“Okay,” Faye says. “Everyone to quarters. We will meet tomorrow evening again.”
The elders shuffle away, some of them back to the table and others to the corridor that leads to the main house. I stand up to follow them and stumble a little. Sadie takes my arm.
“You okay, Owen?” she asks.
