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“The red string of fate. You’ll find your destined person…” Cosette’s voice dropped, turning more serious than I’d ever heard it. I wanted to hope, but I knew the bad news was coming. “But I’m worried about your oath to Luciana. That tie could strangle you if you’re not careful.”
I couldn’t get excited about a destined person when I was so worried about keeping myself and the people I cared about alive. “I’ll figure out how to break it. It will be easier in Peru.” And I said a quick prayer that I wasn’t just trying to convince myself.
“I… Ugh.” Cosette wrinkled her nose and said something in a language I’d never heard before. The words were beautifully fluid, but I could tell she was cursing. That much was universal. “I want to help. I really want to. I can’t make any promises without binding myself, but I’ll try. I don’t want to see you getting hurt.”
“I wouldn’t want you getting yourself in trouble.” Even though I was terrified of what might happen, I’d made the oath. I’d known the road I was heading down and the consequences were mine to bear.
“That’s why I’m offering. It’s easy enough to ask the little folk to watch over you, but be careful if you ask them for favors. If they follow the old ways, they’ll try to take you for whatever they can get.”
“Thank—”
“Claudia.” Cosette held up a hand. “Chill with the human manners. If you’re asking for something, bargain hard and make sure you know exactly what you’re agreeing to. Never imply that you owe anything.”
“Got it.” I nodded, grateful even if she wouldn’t let me say it.
“Good. Although depending how things play out these next few days, maybe I’ll come running after you.” She let out a sigh that sounded like a spring breeze. “Getting mixed up with the wolves is changing everything for both of us.”
That was an understatement. I’d hardly left home before and suddenly I was flying off to a foreign country, trusting the wolves to keep me safe, while I searched for ancient magic…
I said another prayer, hoping I had the strength to do this. Raphael’s life depended on it.
Cosette might be worried I’d make an unfair bargain, but I was very close to being desperate. If it came to it, I was willing to give up anything that could save my brother. To save what was left of my coven and the wolves.
If I failed, Luciana’s black magic would spread through all our supernatural worlds. Not even normal humans would be safe if demons came into being.
I’d do anything to stop that from happening.
Chapter Eight
That night I couldn’t sleep at all. Call it nerves or fear—from the effects of the oath or the upcoming trip or the fact that I was sitting beside my still unconscious brother. Or all of the above. I just couldn’t relax enough to make myself actually sleep. I’d said all my goodbyes at dinner, and the morning would be just Muraco and me. I’d start this journey on my own—the same way I’d finish it.
My mother had always told me to picture what I wanted; if I believed it to be true, it would happen. I’d been doing that all night as I sat in the chair beside Raphael’s bed.
He hadn’t woken up yet. No one knew what that meant, but it couldn’t be a good sign. His exhale had taken on a rasping rattle that made my lungs burn in sympathy. But that wasn’t the worst part.
His aura was changing. It was usually blue and purple with touches of white. Now, it was turning a muddy brown. It was like his soul was slowly disappearing. I’d cried a little at first, but as time ticked by, I grew more and more determined.
I’d go. Find the magic I needed to save my brother and defeat Luciana. Use the distance to figure out how to break Luciana’s hold on me.
My backpack sat at my feet. I’d stuffed it until I could barely get the flap closed. I was showered. My hair was braided. I was as ready as I’d ever be.
When I shook off the sleepless trance long enough to check the time, I realized it had gotten away from me. Muraco would be by any minute now, and this might be the last time I saw my brother alive.
No. I stood up and paced away from the bed. I rested my forehead against the cool wall, trying to calm down but failing.
I couldn’t think like that. I had to fix this. There was no other choice.
A soft tap sounded at my door just before five in the morning. I brushed my sweating palms on my jeans.
“Are you ready, child?” Muraco said as soon as I opened the door. His white hair stood out brightly against his darkly tanned, wrinkled skin. He was tall, but walked with a little bit of a hunch. His golden aura had threads of darker oranges and reds running through it. Most of the wolves here had very one-note auras, but his was rich and varied. The deeper highlights told me he was special. He had to be much stronger than he looked. And much, much older.
“Yes, sir.”
He huffed and turned, heading down the hallway.
I leaned over my brother and kissed his clammy forehead. “Hang in there for me. Don’t you dare give up.”
With that, I hoisted my pack and started after Muraco. When I reached the door, I didn’t dare look back.
