Johnny pulled a pendulum from his pocket and swung it before Molly. Her gaze fixated on it as he swung it left to right, left to right, over and again in a circle.
Tianna stepped forward, arcs of magic rolling off of her hands and winding around Molly’s body. “I call on the energies of Mother Earth to sweep through Molly,” she declared, calling the spell out in a strong, booming voice, “to disconnect all holds the demonic energy has on her, to disconnect any and all cords that bind them together. Remove any and all energies that do not serve her highest good, releasing her from their influence. Let all impurities be washed away. Only light remains.”
For a second I thought it might work. Molly was watching the pendulum like a zombie, while Tianna’s spell had encased her body in a cocoon of light. But then Molly tipped her head back and laughed. She full-on creepy laughed and my stomach sank. Disappointment rippled through our group.
“This won’t work,” Tianna said, huffing in frustration. “Molly needs to fight it herself. It’s the only safe way.”
“She’s human. How the hell is she supposed to do that?” I clenched my fists, trying not to growl.
Molly thrashed in Brock and Ray’s hold.
My father, who’d been silent this entire time, wheeled forward. “It’s quite obvious.”
I raised one eyebrow at the man. “Enlighten us.”
My dad’s gaze fell on Molly; her eyes blazed with hate as she stared him down. “Something similar happened in the village where I grew up. The only way the human was able to be saved was to remove her humanity.”
We all stared at him, deadpan. He continued: “If we were to make her not human anymore, she’d have the strength to fight off the demon herself. In my village, a vampire turned the girl so she could resist the demonic possession, but in this case a werewolf would do.” He smiled grimly.
Chills ran up the length of my spine. “You’re not suggesting…”
“No way in hell,” Brock snapped.
My father shrugged. “If Molly were changed into a werewolf, she would have the stamina and power to evict the demon herself. I’m sure of it.”
Why couldn’t I get a break? Just a little tiny, itty-bitty break without all hell breaking loose? Was it really that much to ask?
Cho threw her hat in the ring: “I agree.”
“Unfortunately, so do I,” Tianna said, holding Cass’ hand and towering over him, in a cute way. “I’ve heard the same stories … that in cases like these, if the human is turned they gain enough strength to fight the darkness naturally.”
Haru swallowed hard and stepped closer to Molly. “She would approve. She’s been talking about wanting to become a supernatural since the day we met her.”
And I’d suggested it on the boat ride back from the selkie cave when she’d almost died. But still … this was a huge decision.
My gaze flicked to Brock and he grimaced. “Even if the werewolf council were to approve it, she could die. You don’t just bite a human and they turn into a werewolf an hour later, simple as that. Not everyone survives the change.”
“Yeah, I remember, but Molly is strong.” It wasn’t too long ago that Nathan bit me and I was the one shifting into an animal. It was painful and foreign feeling, but I’d survived. Hell, I’d thrived—and so would Molly. She had the balls for it, that was for damn sure.
Brock let Molly go and Cho stepped in his place. He grabbed my arm and pulled me aside. “Evie, do you understand what you’re asking of me?”
I gulped. “Yes. I think this is the only way to save her, and time doesn’t exactly seem to be on our side. Look at her.”
Molly, sprawled out on the ground between Ray and Cho, looked feral, trying to kick out at Cho.
Brock gritted his teeth as Molly yanked against the grip Cho had on her ankle. My alpha looked tired. Hell, I was tired, but this needed our attention now.
“I’ll call the council and ask,” he finally said. “But be prepared. They might say no, and if that’s the case … I can’t go against them or I’d be risking the whole pack. We need the council’s sanction.”
I nodded. “Just tell them what’s going on and see what they say. That’s all I ask.”
Brock pulled me farther away from the group. He placed both hands on my shoulders and met my gaze. “Today was a big day—huge—and you haven’t rested at all. Go lie down now. I’ll get Molly as settled as she’ll let us, and then call the council. I’ll wake you once I have news.”
It wasn’t a suggestion, it was an order, and a man ordering me to go take a nap was about the only way I’d obey. I was fucking exhausted. I’d linked my power with the earth, seen the Blacks, and taken out a fog demon. And I still had to deal with Molly. All in a day’s work.
“Alright … but wake me the second the council has an answer … or if Molly gets worse.”
He nodded. “Promise.” Leaning forward, he placed a kiss on my lips and gave me a playful nudge toward the house.
