Page 87
She laughed and dipped the needle into the mixture she’d prepared. Once the tip touched her skin, the needle glowed as the enchantment took hold. Warmth spread through her arm as she guided the needle along the first line of the design, letting the magic help her maintain the shape she’d drawn.
Ria wasn’t a tattoo artist, but the enchanted pen made the process easier than it would have been with an ordinary instrument. She followed the crescent carefully, then added the two curved lines that represented Korinnae’s horns. The first pass burned enough to make her jaw tighten, but she kept her hand steady and continued until the final line connected with the moon.
When the design was complete, Ria felt a pulse beneath her skin. Her touch affinity responded immediately, drawing on the magic she’d created from Asterion’s blood. She placed her hand over the fresh tattoo and closed her eyes, allowing the spell to reach toward Korinnae.
The connection formed gradually, carrying the magic from Ria to the sleeping child. Ria held it there until she felt it settle into place, then opened her eyes. The tattoo glowed for several seconds before fading, leaving the crescent and curved horns red against her skin.
Asterion was still watching her.
“It’s done,” she said.
He reached for her wrist, careful to avoid the fresh tattoo. His expression remained troubled as his thumb brushed over the back of her hand. “Does it hurt?”
“A little.”
“I still don’t like this.”
“I know.”
“You shouldn’t have to mark yourself for this.”
Ria glanced toward Korinnae, who remained asleep beneath the blanket. “I’d do a lot more than this to keep her safe.”
Asterion followed her gaze before looking back at her. After a moment, he nodded. Ria leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek before turning to look at the tattoo. The mark was still warm against her skin, but the magic had settled exactly where it needed to be.
“Now for the hard part,” Ria said.
The spell was ready, but it needed one final piece, so Ria closed her eyes and summoned Hecate. She still felt a nervous flutter whenever she called on her mentor. It wasn’t fear exactly. Hecate had never needed to threaten her to command her attention. Ria simply wanted to prove that she’d been worthy of everything the Titan had taught her, and disappointing her was something she desperately wanted to avoid.
The air in the room shifted, and Hecate appeared beside the worktable.
The Titan’s gaze immediately went to Ria’s arm. She examined the tattoo without touching it, her expression giving away nothing. After a moment, she stepped closer to Korinnae and studied the sleeping calf, first examining her face and breathing before letting her hand hover over her body. Her magic passed over Korinnae without disturbing her sleep before Hecate finally nodded.
“Good,” Hecate said. “You’ve established the connection.”
She gave a few precise instructions, explaining what Ria needed to do and warning her not to force the magic once it began to move. Ria listened carefully, committing every word to memory.
When Hecate finished, she looked at Ria for another moment. “You know what comes next.”
“I do.”
Hecate nodded once before disappearing, leaving the room exactly as she’d found it.
Asterion stared at the place where she’d been standing. “I’ve never felt a presence like that.”
Ria looked at him and smiled. “I hope not.”
His brow furrowed.
“She’s Hecate,” Ria explained. “She’s supposed to make an impression.”
“And you learned from her?”
“Among others.”
He gave her a long look. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
Ria laughed, but her attention returned to Korinnae and the tattoo on her arm. She sat down on the bed and placed both hands against the little calf’s chest. She closed her eyes and let her healing magic move through her, searching past the surface injuries and into the places where Korinnae’s body was still struggling. It didn’t take long to find the poison. Once she reached it, she began the incantation.
