And now we had no leads.
My nose itched like it always did when powerful magic happened, and the wind groaned against the wall.
A thunderous crash sounded outside, followed by an anguished shout from Charles.
Darcy and I exchanged worried looks, then ran to the nearest window to find Charles frantically digging through a pile of rubble.
“What is he doing?” Darcy muttered.
My breath caught as Charles shifted a large piece of rubble, unearthing a glimpse of a dark head.
Jane.
Chapter 15
“Jane!”Araw,primalscream tore from me. Tears blurred my vision, and my pounding heart muted the world around me.
A slight tug pulled at my wrist, then Darcy grabbed my hand. “This way.”
I let him lead, forcing my trembling legs to move while my thoughts played the sight on repeat. Charles lifting a piece of rubble to reveal Jane. Her closed eyes and the trickle of blood running down her forehead.
Please let her be alive.
I held back a sob that felt like it might tear my chest in half as Darcy opened a door that led to the garden.
Rushing across the remaining distance, I slid to a stop by Charles.
He cradled Jane’s upper body against him, tears slipping from his eyes as magic spilled from his fingers. My dark hair had melted back into Jane’s golden curls, my skin paling into her ivory.
“What happened?” I choked the words out as I dropped to my knees beside them and took Jane’s hand. My pulse thundered in my ears, a cruel contrast to the faint whisper of Jane’s.
“I don’t know.” Charles looked at me, my pain reflected in his blue eyes. “I came outside to find her, but a gargoyle fell from the roof and—” He cut himself off and more magic streamed from him. It wrapped around Jane’s body, especially thick around her right arm and chest. “I didn’t make it. I couldn’t get to her in time.”
Darcy’s fingers glowed, and his magic spread over the pile of rubble like a net, making the white marble glitter with blue sparkles.
“Can you heal her?” My voice cracked.
“I’m trying.” Charles’s face was tight with concentration. “But I don’t know if it will be enough.”
The wind battered us, and more storm clouds rolled overhead as we sat there, waiting to find out if my sister, my best friend, would survive. The wind ruffled her hair, tossing the long blonde strands across her face, and I reached out and tucked them behind her ear again.
Charles’s magic glowed around her, flickering spots of light that reminded me of fireflies. Every year during the first week of summer, Jane and I would sneak away to catch fireflies. We gathered a few in a jar, then we each made a wish and let the fireflies go. Jane said they’d carry our wishes to heaven and help them come true—a silly tradition but one that had stuck. Looking at her still form, I was terrified we might not have any more of those moments together.
It was fully dark by the time Charles stood on shaky legs. “Jane is safe to move now.”
“Is she okay? Why hasn’t she woken up?” I squeezed her hand.
“I’m not sure. My magic has done all it can. Now we just have to wait.” Charles’s tone was heavy.
“Should we take her to a hospital? Or I can call Doctor Jones.” I tried to stand, but my legs were numb. If only my heart were the same.
Darcy helped me to my feet, then chafed my frozen hands between his to warm them.
“They can’t do anything I haven’t already done, and I’d rather keep her here where I can monitor her.” Charles carried her inside, her cheek resting against his chest. It looked like she was sleeping.
We made it to a guest room, and I pulled down the covers. Charles put her gently on the bed before smoothing some hair from her face. He sat on the edge and took her hand.
I pulled a chair over and sat, and Darcy, unable to leave my side, did the same. “How could this have happened?” The words slipped from me.
