“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Whatever you’re doing is not going to work,” Madeleine taunts. “I can feel the change coming. I will be free at last, and you’ll rue the day you trapped me. I will take great pleasure in turning your skin into shreds and watching your blood stain the ground, starting with you, Sophie.”
I shiver, feeling her threats deep in my soul.
“Don’t pay attention to her. Eyes on me,” Isadora says.
I look at her, but all I want to do is close my eyes and pretend I’m not here. But I understand I must keep eye contact with her for the spell to work.
She starts to chant, and immediately, I feel the power surge between us, like a gust of wind that quickly wraps around us. Without being told, I join her in the chanting. I don’t know how I know the words of the spell. They just popped into my brain. I don’t recognize my own voice; it’s like I’m channeling a foreign entity and she’s the one speaking.
The wind picks up speed, spinning around the High Witch and me. My hair flaps around my face, blocking my view, and the crystal in my hand glows brighter and gets hotter.
In the background, I hear Madeleine and the other ghosts shriek. She’s pissed, which means the spell must be working and the wards are getting strong again.
I don’t know how long I chant with Isadora, but when the spell hits its highest note, it drops with a whoosh that sends me flying back. Vaughn catches me before I hit the floor.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yeah.” I try to step back, but I feel woozy, so I’m glad he’s still holding me. “Where’s Isadora?”
“I’m here.” A faint light orb appears, allowing me to see the woman leaning against the wall. Her hair is messier than before.
“Did the spell work?” Vaughn asks.
“Yes,” I answer before she can. Then darkness claims me.
Thirty-Two
SOPHIE
When I open my eyes, I’m in my bed, but I’m not alone in my room. Vaughn is here, sleeping in the chair in the corner. He’s curled up, and his head is resting at an odd angle. He’ll have a kink in his neck when he wakes up.
The shutters on the windows are closed, so it must be daytime. I don’t have my phone next to me, so I don’t know how late in the day.
I get out of bed and tiptoe toward Vaughn. His long bangs are across his forehead in an adorable way. Unable to contain myself, I push them back with the tips of my fingers, stirring him awake.
His eyes open slowly, and he seems confused about his whereabouts at first. Then he focuses on my face and smiles. “You’re awake.”
“Yeah. You stayed.”
“Of course. I couldn’t leave without knowing you were okay. The spell wiped you out. Even Isadora was woozy. I had to drive her home too.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. But you’re feeling okay, right? No side effects?”
“I’m fine. I’m a bit hungry, though. I’d better grab a blood bag from the fridge.” I lean back, but Vaughn grabs my arm.
“Blood bag? There’s no reason to drink that stale blood. You can feed from me.”
My mouth waters at the suggestion. Now that he presented me with the option, nothing else will do. But I hesitate. “Are you sure?”
His eyes flash crimson for a second, and then he lowers his gaze to my mouth. His scent changes, becoming huskier. If I drink from his vein, I’ll do more than feed.
“I’m certain.” He angles his head, offering easier access to his neck. “Go ahead, sweetheart.”
A thick vein is pulsing there, and it makes the throbbing between my legs more obvious. I move closer and lick his skin first. Vaughn shudders before he pulls me onto his lap to straddle him. It’s then that I realize I’m only wearing a tank top and panties.
