I lock my eyes with Vaughn’s as I walk past him to follow the High Witch into the cemetery, and a chill of excitement rolls down my back. His gaze holds a promise of more scorching kisses and intimate caresses. I just have to perform some unknown spell beforehand, hoping I don’t get hurt in the process. No big deal.
Vaughn walks behind me at first, but I stop and wait for him to catch up, then take his hand. He smiles, and I sense he wants to say something before the crack of a twig breaking makes him jerk and search our surroundings. “What was that?”
“Probably just a rodent.”
“Okay.”
“Vaughn… are you afraid of the dark?”
“What? No. To quote Chunk, ‘I love the dark, but I hate nature.’”
“Who’s Chunk?”
Vaughn seems surprised by my question, then shakes his head, smiling. “It’s a character from a classic eighties movie. I forgot you missed a lot of years.”
I look away lest he see how his comment pains me. I wouldn’t have hibernated for so long if it weren’t for what that asshole did to me.
“Sorry. That was a careless comment.”
“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Could you please refrain from chitchatting?” Isadora complains ahead. “If I wanted people to know we’re here, I would have used the front door.”
Vaughn blows a raspberry at her back, making me chuckle softly. She looks over her shoulder to glower, and I force my face into a neutral expression. It isn’t smart to antagonize such a powerful witch. There’s a reason King Raphael has always kept a High Witch in his court.
Once we enter the mausoleum and the darkness becomes absolute, she conjures up a light orb with her hand. It’s an easy spell, but I don’t have the same confidence in my powers as she seems to have. I’d better preserve my energy.
The closer we get to the secret chamber where Madeleine and her friends are trapped, the colder the air gets. Vaughn holds my hand tighter. His pulse is beating faster, and it isn’t a leap to conclude this situation is terrifying him. But despite his fear, he didn’t hesitate to volunteer to come.
We turn a corner, and for all intents and purposes, it’s a dead end. A spell has been cast to create the illusion that there’s a wall in front of us. When Isadora disappears from view for a second, Vaughn blurts, “Whatta…”
“It’s okay,” I whisper. His steps falter, but I pull him with me. “There isn’t a wall. Trust me.”
A tingling sensation spreads all over my body when we cross the magical barrier. The High Witch is in front of us again, and now we can see the gated chamber ahead, and the eerie green light glowing from within.
“Spooky,” Vaughn whispers.
“Sophie… you’re back, and you brought snacks,” Madeleine’s voice echoes around us.
Vaughn plants his feet and doesn’t let me go on. “We’re close enough.”
The High Witch turns to us. “Do you have energized crystals with you?”
“Yes, I don’t leave the house without them.” I grab the crystal pendant hanging around my neck.
“That might not be enough.” Isadora reaches inside her jacket and retrieves a crystal the size of an egg. “Here. This should do.”
I take the crystal in my hand, and it glows a faint lavender color.
“It matches your eyes,” Vaughn says.
“True.”
“It’s resonating with your magic,” Isadora adds. “That’s a good sign.” She glances at Vaughn. “You must step back and refrain from touching her. I need to form a power circle around us.”
He does as she asks, and I miss his proximity in an instance.
The High Witch steps in front of me, holding a crystal bigger than mine in her hand. “Are you ready?”
