"But why risk it? Freeing one person at a time puts you in the direct line of danger. Wait until we have a plan to break Tharuzel's hold altogether and then take the risk when everyone is there to help you."
I see the worry in her gaze and I appreciate it, but I don't agree. "I understand I can't do this one person at a time and expect to get ahead of Tharuzel, but if I can learn more, maybe that will help us figure outhowto do it on a larger scale."
The guys are quiet for a long time before Sebastian speaks up. "She's got a point, Zoe. The more we know, the more prepared we are. And I'm here. The two of us can pool our spirit affinities and share the burden."
Relief washes through me. "Having Sebastian here to anchor the spell makes me even more sure it can work."
Wylder stares down the long laneway of our property to the house across the street. “Are you sure you’ve got the juice? That’s not close.”
“With an enhanced sight spell and Sebastian giving me a boost? Yeah, I think I can.”
“And you’re confident you can do it without being sucked down the drain?” Asher asks.
“Well, as sure as I can be about anything involving foiling demon magic."
Mom still looks uncertain, but she nods. "All right. But at the first sign of trouble?—"
"Wylder and Sebastian will pull me out. I know." I take Sebastian's hand, then reach for Wylder with my other. "Everyone ready?"
We arrange ourselves in a loose circle on the porch, facing Margaret's house. Asher stands off to the side with the puppies, and Mom hovers behind me, her ghostly presence a comfort.
I cast the spell to extend the reach of my vision and then awaken my powers, following the invisible thread connecting Margaret to the suffering ghost.
Sebastian's power flows alongside mine, steady and controlled.
"It's really far," Wylder mutters. "You didn't get anywhere with Mr. Patterson until you touched the mark directly."
"We know more now, and we're stronger together." I push harder, letting Sebastian's magic amplify my own.
The prickling on my skin grows sharper, and before long I can sense the suffering of the spirit as acutely as if they were standing right in front of me.
“Unbind. Unwind. Undo.” I hold my hand out and, despite the real-world distance, pinch the red, glowing rope tethering the spirit to Margaret. Like the last time, the rope feels greasy in my fingers, and I’m hit with a wave of repulsion.
I'm expecting it this time and I don't let it distract me.
“Unbind. Unwind. Undo."
I feel Tharuzel's essence as I destroy the tether, and Sebastian was right. He's grown much stronger. We need to cut him off from his supply of siphoned souls.
I just don't know how.
The ghost explodes into motes of light, finally free. The sensation of its relief floods through me—gratitude, release, peace.
With the ensnared spirit set free, I shift my focus to the sigil. The mark thrives on imbalance and corruption and, unfortunately, I'm not close enough to sprinkle salt on her for purification and preservation.
But… "Wylder? Do you have salt in your pocket?"
He told me once that his mother believed 'salt is the duct tape of witchcraft' and always made him carry some.
To my relief, he pulls out a little cloth bag and when I extend my hand, pours a pile onto my palm.
With my focus honed, I whisper:
“This body is not your doorway,
This soul not yours to maim.
You use spirits as your weapons,
