The magic hummed between us, flowing from the medallion into me. Unlike the ice magic, this was hot—a scorching fire that traveled up my arm and through my whole body. I breathed through the pain, knowing I could handle the amplified magic, but my heart stopped when Bowen’s knees gave out and hit the floor. The force of our grip took me with him.
I wanted to scream, and maybe I was. A sound so horrible I couldn’t stand it pressed against my ears. Darkness seeped into the corners of my vision, and a familiar wave of panic climbed my throat.
Then, in a blink, the magic capped itself. Bowen’s grasp loosened around my hand and dropped away. His eyes were glassy and feverish, and they kept closing, only for him to force them open again. I reached for him, but his skin scalded me, and I jerked my hand away.
I had to finish the transfer. It was the only way I could focus on Bowen.
Climbing unsteadily to my feet, I approached the witch. All of my fear hardened into rage at what she’d stolen from me, from us, from what she still might take. I glanced at Hendrik’s vacant eyes, and then over my shoulder at Bowen’s ravaged form. They’d each sacrificed so much, but no more.
My entire body glowed as the blistering magic churned inside me. Every nerve ending sizzled. I’d never experienced such a violent source of power. Her gaze overflowed with triumph, and she held out her gaunt hand, waiting for me to take hers in mine.
“Finally,” she murmured, almost delirious in her anticipation. “Come closer. Give me what I’ve searched for. What is mine!”
What I give, I can take.
The words repeated over and over, a mantra I begged to be true. My fingers clasped hers and magic flowed like molten lava between us. She gasped, and then a wicked laugh burst from her lips.
It died when I swept my foot under her leg, taking her down to the floor just like I’d shown Jacob. The witch’s eyes went wide, and she struggled beneath me. I thrust my palm against her beating heart, feeling her body jerk under mine. Her claws dug into my arms, drawing blood, but I held her in place.
The pain returned, but this time, it was because I was pulling magic from the witch. Grounding my other hand into the floorboards, I felt the Incantus magic drain into the wood. I didn’t stop there, drawing the witch’s magic through my body and diffusing into the ground until it faded into nothing.
She writhed against my hand, growing weaker the more I drained from her, until finally, she stopped moving altogether. Her sightless eyes peered up at the rafters, and the air seized in her lungs. I withdrew every last ounce of her life force from her body, her magic long emptied into the floor and the earth beneath it.
Removing my hand, I fell on my backside, gulping in huge lungfuls of air. My whole body trembled as I gazed at her unmoving form. Dizziness washed over me, and dark spots danced in my vision. It worked. She was gone.
A hand touched my shoulder, and I jumped, looking up into Hendrik’s confused features.
“Liana? Are you all right?”
A sob of relief tore through my chest. I pulled him to me, wrapping my arms around his shoulders in a fierce hug. Six long years. Tears streamed down my face, and a rush of words spilled from my lips.
“It’s over, Hendrik. She’s dead. I’m so sorry it took me so long to come back for you.”
I murmured the apology over and over as he squeezed me tighter. When I leaned back, I studied his features, taking his face into my palms. “You look so different, and yet the same. We’ve lost so much time. How can you ever forgive me?”
Hendrik’s brow creased and he shook his head. “No don’t ask that. You promised me you’d come back. You’re here now. That’s all that matters.” His gaze shifted over my shoulder, and the air lodged in my throat as I remembered our reunion had to wait. “Liana, your friend needs help.”
I nodded, struggling to my knees and crawling toward Bowen. His body shuddered from the waves of heat coursing through his system. I didn’t know what to do! The fever would kill him if we didn’t bring it down. We had to get him outside, in the snow. Maybe that would help.
“Hendrik, help me lift him!”
Silence.
Behind me, something moved, but I knew instantly it wasn’t Hendrik. An icy shiver snaked down my back and rose the hair on my arms.
No…
My own voice sounded in my mind.Never assume the witch is dead. They always come back.
I glanced over my shoulder as the witch gained her feet. She lunged for my throat, arms outstretched, eyes wild with fury. Fear paralyzed my limbs, and I realized I should have gone for my concealed dagger. A scream built in my throat as I fumbled for the hilt.Too late… Too late!
A shot rang out. The crossbow arrow struck the witch in the chest, and she was thrown backward. It lodged deep inside her rib cage, and blood pooled from the wound. I watched in shock as the blood solidified, freezing along with her body. Frost raced over her skin, coating her limbs, turning them rigid.
Hendrik stood over her, holding the blue flame crossbow. He kicked her in the side, and a piece of her frozen dress shattered.
“I think she’s really dead this time.”
Stunned, I pulled myself from my stupor and moved back to Bowen. “Help me get him outside. And if the witch moves again, shoot her between the eyes.”
