“I have a spell already,” Trina says. “Sadie helped me find it. I can begin right now. The only thing I have thought about for days is undoing this curse. Thank you for letting me try.”
“If it goes badly,” Darla says in a soft, menacing tone, “I will slit both your throats. No one will even try to stop me.”
“Correct,” Neville agrees. “But your claws aren’t so strong right now, Darla. You may not be able to follow through on your threat while you’re still cursing yourself.”
Darla looks at him with pure loathing, and he returns her glare.
“Please, Trina,” Faye says. “Proceed.”
“Trina, wait,” I say. “What is this spell—what does it do?”
“I will absorb all the sickness,” Trina replies. “It’s the only solution. I can contain it within myself and nullify it because the curse doesn’t affect witches.”
“It sounds dangerous,” I say warily.
She smiles at me, shaking her head. “Not at all. I promise. The important thing is, this will work, no matter what, and your people will be saved.”
No matter what.
“I don’t like the sound of that,” I say.
“It’s okay,” she says, giving me a quick hug. “I know what I’m doing.”
She turns away from me and walks over to the fire. I follow behind her, wondering what the spell will involve. The elders leave the table and gather around as well. The other pack members who brought me here watch curiously but don’t approach.
Trina kneels on the rug by the fire and casts a circle with some cool ash from the fireplace. First, she leans forward and chants a few words, then leans back, looking up to the ceiling.
“This is an abomination,” Darla mutters. “Doing magic in our council chamber.”
“Shut up,” Neville says, and Darla looks at him like she wants to rip his throat out.
Trina begins to chant, and to my surprise, my body immediately feels lighter. Strength returns to my muscles, and my vision clears.
“My God,” Thorne says, looking at his hands. “It’s working! I can feel my wolf again.”
“Me too,” Sylvie agrees. “I haven’t felt so good in months.”
I know I’ll have to contact the hospital to know for sure if the spell worked, but so far, the result is promising, and gratitude flows through me. Closing my eyes, I say a little thank you to the universe and any gods that might be listening.
If Trina saves us, all will be well. We can finally work this out and be together.
When I open my eyes and look back into the circle, what I see shocks me. Trina is leaning towards the floor, barely holding herself up. Her voice is getting hoarse, and color is draining from her skin.
“Looks like the witch may heal you after all,” Darla laughs. “But it will cost her her life!”
Chapter 24 - Trina
As I begin the spell, I’m confident that I can save the pack and Owen. Even though my magic still isn’t very strong, Sadie told me that my intent would be enough if my heart was true, and I followed her instructions.
When she dropped me off at the manor, I was scared to go in alone, but she told me I had to. That this path is for Owen and me to walk, and we have to do it together.
I try to remember this as waves of sickness seep into me. The council gathers around, just outside the circle, and their presence distracts me. I can feel the hatred emanating from Darla, and even though I try to stay strong, a flicker of doubt rises within me.
I can’t screw up again! I have to commit to this with my whole body and soul.
I close my eyes and center myself again, feeling my strength grow, but it doesn’t banish my doubt. Instead, I waver between the two emotions, and the energy of the spell seems to freeze, hanging around me in stasis.
No. I will do this. Whatever it takes, I will heal Owen and his people!
