Suddenly, Quinn stepped toward the tree like death itself, Bloodstone glowing hot in her palm. Her eyes locked on Bridget.
And then she moved.
Bridget barely registered it before Quinn was in front of her, arm raised, power blazing.
But Bridget was faster. She lunged, sword clenched tight, and drove it up under Quinn’s ribs. Steel tore through flesh. Quinn gasped, face twisting in fury and pain. She dropped to her knees.
Stunned at what she’d done, Bridget dropped the sword and stumbled backward. She ran into Cade, who wrapped his arms around her waist before she fell. “It’s okay, I’ve got you,” he whispered.
The Wraith shrieked again, half-burning but still dangerous.
Cassia stood frozen, her hands trembling at her sides as it crawled toward her.
“Cassia!” Stellan shouted, still holding Marin. “Now!You’re the only one that can.”
A determination Bridget had never seen suddenly consumed Cassia’s rain-streaked face. The air seemed to vibrate around her as her blue eyes began to fill with something cold and bright. When the Wraith lunged again, Cassia reached for it.
The moment her palms touched the creature’s wrists, a horrible squeal pierced Bridget’s ear. Jaw dropping, she watched as Cassia sucked life and magic straight from the Wraith. It buckled, howling, its form unraveling as if pulled apart from within.
Seconds later, it stilled, then collapsed into dust in between Cassia’s fingertips.
Cassia lowered her hands slowly, chest heaving and white as snow. Silence followed, broken only by thunder in the distance. Bridget turned herhead, scanning until she found Nylah, who stood wide-eyed beneath the scorched ash tree. Relief pierced through her haze. But only for a second. Twisting out of Cade’s arms, Bridget dropped to her knees beside Quinn’s shaking body. The Bloodstone pulsed weakly in the witch’s trembling hand, and without hesitation, Bridget tore it free. The stone burned in her grip, slick with blood and humming with residual power. Wordlessly, she pressed it into Cade’s waiting palm. Their fingers brushed, but she couldn’t feel anything past the cold in her bones.
Quinn convulsed the moment the Bloodstone left her palm. Crimson gurgled up from her throat, staining her lips. Her breath rattled. Her body shook.
Bridget grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. “What were you after?” Her voice cracked. Adrenaline buzzed through her veins as the sight of Quinn’s broken body churned her stomach. “Were you here for Cade? Or something more?”
She didn’t care that Quinn’s skin had turned waxen. She didn’t care that every part of her wanted to run. Sheneededan answer. Especially when the Wraith’s disappearance hadn’t ceased the darkness still swirling above their heads.
Quinn coughed. She took one last gasping breath. “I’m sorry,” she croaked.
Seconds later, her body stilled. Hazy dark eyes froze, forever staring into the distance. Bridget sat back, numb. She barely noticed Cade kneel beside her, his hand landing gently on her shoulder. His voice was there, soft and steady, but it couldn’t hear it. The only thing she could hear was her own heartbeat, a furious drumbeat behind her ribs.
“Bridget…”
It was Nylah’s voice that pierced through, fragile and trembling. She turned her head slowly. Nylah stood staring toward the far corner of the courtyard, where Stellan knelt in the mud, cradling Marin in his arms. Marin’s eyes were barely staying open. Her head lolled against his shoulder
Bridget rose stiffly. As lightning lit the sky again, the glint of her old amethyst necklace on Quinn’s neck caught her eye. Without thinking, she ripped it from the witch’s neck and shoved it into her pocket. Then Cade helped her to her feet. She took Nylah’s hand, holding it tighter than necessary, and crossed the courtyard in aching steps.
As they passed the ashen tree, Cade caught Cassia gently by the elbow. “Cass…”
She yanked away like he’d slapped her. “Don’t touch me,” she whispered, eyes wild. “I don’t know how to control it. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Cass,” Cade said quietly, brow furrowed, “you saved us.”
But his voice didn’t reach her. She turned and bolted from the courtyard, disappearing into the castle's dark halls without a glance back. Bridget barely had time to process it before Marin let out a ragged, shuddering breath. The black veins spreading from the slash down her back were climbing higher and already creeping toward her neck.
“No,” Stellan whispered, shaking his head, rocking slightly. “Stay with me.”
“You know what to do next,” Marin murmured, her voice a thread. “You have to find the crown. She won’t stop until she gets what she wants.”
Her hand, weak but deliberate, reached up and touched Stellan’s cheek. A moment passed. Finally, she said, “Be happy.”
“You have to be here for that to happen,” he choked. His voice broke on the last word. “Please, Marin…”
She gave the faintest smile. “No, I don’t.”
Her eyes slipped closed. Her hand slid from his face, landing soundlessly on the stone.
