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Dulsa shrugged. “We do not know if the Soulbound exist outside of Mages. Perhaps a Mage can be Soulbound to a witch.”

My heart lurched so painfully in my chest that I had to stand up. I began pacing the length of the small space. “Dulsa.” I choked on an incredulous laugh. “This is insane. I cannot be Soulbound to a witch. They—they are vile. They hunt my people. It’s impossible.”

“If you were to ask any of the Mage historians, they would also tell you that Soulbound connections are impossible. We haven’t seen a pair in centuries.”

“All the more reason for this not to be true!” I argued. “You’re telling me that the first Soulbound in over a hundred years would involve a witch? It’s madness!”

“I’m not saying anything.” Dulsa lifted her palms. “But that is the only explanation I can think of.”

“Well, it’s wrong,” I hissed. “There must be another reason.”

“Perhaps you’re right.”

I ran a hand along the back of my head, feeling even more agitated than before. If the witch had enchanted Tavik somehow, that would have been a more reasonable explanation. But now Dulsa was saying there was a chance Cerise and I were Soulbound?

“Is there anything I can do?” I asked. “A potion I can take that will help settle Tavik?”

“If you are truly Soulbound, the only thing you can do is accept the bond,” Dulsa said, watching me calmly.

“Let’s pretend I’m not Soulbound,” I said through clenched teeth. “Is there something you can do for my wolf?”

With a sigh, Dulsa rose from her chair and strode to the next room. Within moments, she returned and placed a vial full of pale blue liquid into my hands. “This is Moonfire juice. It was used when we were trying to cure Rogues years ago. For many of them, it soothed their wolf enough for the dissonance between the wolf and the Mage to be repaired. But I have to warn you, it’s not a perfect remedy. We stopped using it because, in large doses, it can disrupt the connection between man and wolf and worsen the Rogue’s symptoms.”

I stared at the vial and uncorked it. A strong, minty smell stung my nose, and I recoiled.

Dulsa chuckled. “Yes, it’s quite strong.”

I replaced the cork on the vial, my mouth twisting with a grimace. This had been used on Rogues?

Tavik and I weren’t in danger of becoming a Rogue… were we?

“No,” Tavik said at once. “We are fine, Alaric. I am fine.”

“Thank you,” I mumbled to Dulsa.

“I hope you find the answers you’re looking for,” Dulsa said, patting my shoulder.

I pocketed the vial and left the healer’s quarters. My head was spinning, the turmoil in my chest making it difficult to breathe.

The last thing I wanted to do was face Cerise right now.

But I had no choice. The sooner I used the truth spell on her, the sooner this would be over.

And then I would never have to see that witch again.

Twelve

THE WITCH

The hours of total darkness were the worst. The sky seemed dark enough already, even with the light of the moon. But when the moon dipped below the horizon, and what little light illuminated my cell vanished, I realized I was wrong. The moon had been so much brighter than I’d thought.

Nothing but a huge, black pit surrounded me. I couldn’t even see my hand in front of me. I curled into a ball, burying my face in my knees. My eyes were clenched shut. If I opened them and faced the darkness, I would crumple. I would break.

My life was forever altered, and I was so far from home. I didn't even know where home was anymore without Gran. Heat burned behind my eyes. I swallowed hard, determined not to cry. I had cried enough already.

But once the thoughts were there, it was hard to push them away. The sight of Gran’s chest torn open flashed in my mind. A broken moan burst from my lips. My throat felt so tight with emotion I thought I might choke. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t prevent a few stray tears from streaking down my face.

I must have fallen asleep eventually. Before I knew it, a blast of heat spread through my body, jolting me awake. My hands started to glow gold, and a manic voice within me began to chant.