Page 57 of The Witch’s Daughter

I slowed the cadence of the chant as I looked over my shoulder. Was this part of the warlock’s plan? He’d gathered his power again and was aiming at the next group, but the hit to us hadn’t been so strong. Could he have left something behind to finish the job?

I glanced back to our perfect ward, watching as the darkness continued to grow. It spread out from Tisiphone, latching onto my arm. My instinct told me to keep the chant going, to not let Vincent win. But I faltered. If Tisiphone got hurt, I’d never—

Calla stomped on Trish’s foot, making her open her eyes. She took one look at the rot and screamed.

Tisiphone cried as she tried to shake my hold off her hand. “Let go. Please. I told you this was a mistake.”

I held tighter, chanting louder and catching her attention, as I pleaded with my eyes.

Her gaze caught mine and filled with an apology as she chanted again, raising her voice to outperform both Calla’s and mine combined.

I breathed into our magic, drawing it into the well of my heart-space. Into the connection that was always there, even when I lay alone, miles apart in a cold bed, aching for what would never be.

And I sent that strength back out into the world, giving it to each verse we repeated until the rot receded and our shining ward remained. Pure. Untouched. Whole.

“Bravo.” Vincent clapped behind me, addressing those of us still standing. “You all may drop your wards now. It’s time for the second test of the day.”

I exhaled slowly as Calla’s hand fell from mine and held onto Tisiphone’s just a moment longer before she yanked it away as if she’d been burned.

“I can’t do this.” Tisiphone refused to look either of us in the eye as she took a cautious step back. “It’s too dangerous. You all need to stay away from me.”

21

Trish

I couldn’t stop shaking. That’d been too close. If Jaxon wasn’t there… If the ward hadn’t held because of me… If my cursed magic hurt him…

I needed to get out of here.

What was I thinking? That my magic would somehow fix itself after half a life of being broken? I was so stupid. It was all because of the summons. That’s what filled my head with dumb ideas. I’d somehow hoped it meant they knew something I didn’t. Like that I actually belonged here.

This was a mistake.

If only someone had told you that.

I put as much distance as I could between me and my coven, heading toward the tents of the festival. Hopefully they’d let me leave without a fuss, because I was not sticking around to see what other damage I could cause.

I’d run into Charles this morning in my haste to get food and then arrive at the training on time. Maybe he’d still be where I left him—hungover and cleaning up breakfast—and we could spend the day together. With no magic.

I was never using my magic again.

“Tisiphone, wait,” Jaxon called after me.

I picked up the pace. After last night… I don’t know what I thought. That things would be different? That I could face him on equal ground? Why didn’t he understand that I needed him to leave me alone?

I couldn’t protect everyone if they didn’t stay away. Panic squeezed my throat, making it hard to breathe. This couldn’t happen. I made a huge mistake.

Jaxon growled as he crashed into my path. His eyes blazed with fury. “Are you seriously going to run away again?”

I shouldn’t have blamed him for being upset, but everything in me hurt. “Someone like you wouldn’t understand.”

“Someone like me?” He moved, blocking my attempt at an escape. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him how perfect he was, how I’d never live up to his standards, but I’d embarrassed myself enough for one lifetime.

“Please,” I whispered. “Let me go.”

Jaxon’s hands hovered on either side of my arms like he was going to grab me. For a second, I wished he would. Touching him had done something to my magic. Ignited it in a way I’d almost forgotten.