Captivating Magic (The Thorne Witches #14)

Chapter 24

24

E bba cried out, but it was too late.

The single understanding glance from the Aether and Isis did nothing to ease her fear for Laszlo.

“What happened to him?” she demanded, immediately forgetting their “disrespect” conversation. “Is he okay?”

“He was sent back to his time,” the Goddess replied with remarkable calm. “Trust the process, child.”

Laszlo’s warm hand brushed hers and traveled through, creating a chill where he attempted to touch her. Frustration contorted his features before he pasted on a brave expression. “I’m here, Ebba. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“You can’t promise that, and you shouldn’t,” the dark-haired man said, not unkindly.

“She’s a family friend, Dethridge,” Laszlo argued.

An amused smile curled the other man’s lips, and Ebba became transfixed by his beautiful mouth.

“I’m well aware of who she is, Thorne, and what she will become to you.”

“What? What will I become?” Ebba’s mind was spinning faster than ingredients in a mixing bowl. “And what’s with this supposed time-travel shit?”

His amused smile turned to an engaging grin, and the Aether thoroughly hypnotized her with that single action. All she wanted to do was stare at him until her dying day.

“If I’m not mistaken, it is your dying day.” A devilish twinkle entered his obsidian eyes. “But I’m here to correct that.”

His words had the impact of a bucketful of water over her head, and she jerked back from the reality dousing.

“You read my mind?” she croaked.

“Normally I wouldn’t intrude on another’s thoughts unless I had an inkling they intended harm to me or mine, but you transmit louder than most.”

Fucking fantastic!

He fought a smile, and she wanted Death to simply take her at this point and end her suffering.

“Power is to be collected,” Isis said. “When you are done, Aether, transfer it equally to the amulets.”

“Mr. Barlowe’s, I’m assuming?” Dethridge asked though it sounded more like a statement of fact.

Her nod confirmed his question, and with one last considering glance at Ebba and Laszlo, the Aether did as she bid.

“I don’t understand,” Ebba said to Laszlo. Her mind was officially blown. Goddesses, Death, two Laszlos, gorgeous men who appeared from thin air. It was all like a fantasy novel or chaotic movie script. These things didn’t happen in the real world. “What power? What’s she talking about?”

“I come from a long line of witches?—”

“My line,” Isis said, interrupting him. “And magic does exist, my dear. Mr. Barlowe is descended from my brother and, like him, feels he can do whatever he wants. Including persuading women that they are attracted to him. Yet you, for any number of interesting reasons, were not.”

Ebba didn’t want to admit aloud she’d been in love with Laszlo since childhood. Somehow, she suspected the Goddess knew, and she didn’t want to voice it in front of her lifelong crush.

“There’s no getting between fated mates,” Castor said. “Believe me, I’d have stolen Damian’s love years ago if that was the case.”

The Aether snorted. “My wife would chew you up and spit you out before breakfast, Alex.”

Castor grinned. “Yeah, but what a ride!”

Instead of displaying jealousy or anger, Damian laughed. “I’ll be sure to let Viv know you’re lusting over her.”

“She knows,” Death said with an eye roll. “Alex can’t keep it in his pants.”

“Ouch.” Castor placed his hands over his heart. “I’m wounded.”

Her laughter was surprising. “Doubtful, darling.”

“I agree. It’s unlikely,” the Aether replied, reaching into the car.

Ebba didn’t want to consider the idea of fated mates, the relevancy to her situation, or why Castor had brought it up. She was too fascinated with Damian Dethridge and his power-removal process.

It took less than a minute, and her letdown was great. “I thought there would be more to it than him placing his hands on Spencer’s head and chest,” she said to Laszlo.

“He’s the balance between good and evil in the witch community, and he’s been around as long as I can remember. I imagine he doesn’t break a sweat over these things.”

“He doesn’t age?”

Laszlo shrugged. “He does, but not at the speed mortals do.”

“What about you?” she asked, her curiosity about his claim subduing her fear of the present situation.

“I’m somewhere in between.”

Castor, who had been standing guard over Ebba’s body, stepped aside to allow Damian to infuse the necklace with the reclaimed power.

With a questioning glance at the Goddess, the Aether knelt and pressed a hand to Ebba’s forehead. The other, he placed about five inches above her chest. A green ball formed in his palm and shot strands of light into her wounds. Her body finished knitting back together. The ribs eased from her lungs, and the tissue reattached, pinkening to a healthy color. Her heart took the longest, but eventually, it appeared whole. New skin grew from damaged old, covering her organs.

“Can he do that for the wolf, too?” she asked, hopeful he could and would.

“Bring the animal and place it beside the girl’s body,” Isis directed Laszlo.

With a respectful nod, he jumped into action, skidding down the side of the ditch to retrieve the wolf. Its spirit followed him like a faithful companion with her tongue lolling on the side of her mouth as she stared at him with adoration.

Ebba understood the urge.

“Your souls are ready, Divina,” Isis said.

Laszlo topped the ditch and stopped short, denial on his face.

“Not your mate, Beloved. Spencer Barlowe and the unfortunate creature you hold,” Isis informed him.

Anger at the unfairness bubbled inside Ebba. “I thought you said it would be okay? That you’d heal it?”

“Then you mistook me, child. But if you don’t wish to be the third soul Death reaps, I suggest you learn to control your temper.”

Once again, she’d pissed off the Goddess with her spontaneous outbursts. Heart aching for the wolf, Ebba nodded and dropped her gaze to the canine spirit beside Laszlo.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, but her apology was more for the magnificent beast than her behavior. “But you made me believe you would save her life. That means her soul.”

“What would you give to save the creature?” Isis asked with a thoughtful tilt of her head.

“My life.”

Laszlo tightened his grip on the wolf and ran to her. “Ebba, no!”

“This beautiful girl doesn’t deserve to have her life cut short,” she said with a catch in her voice. “What if she’s pregnant or has pups to care for out there?”

“And what about you, Sweet?” he asked achingly. “What about your family and those who love you?”

“No one counts on me, Laszlo. No one needs me.”

“Liz does. You’re her best friend. And me. Based on what I’ve done to save you, I suspect I’m about to need you a great deal.”

She wanted to weep, but bottled it inside. “I’ve waited over half my life to hear you say that. But I won’t allow her to be sacrificed on my behalf. If the Goddess can save her, I’ll gladly do what is required of me.”

The animal’s spirit approached Ebba, and she squatted to touch the beauty’s massive head. “You’re a gorgeous girl, aren’t you? I’m sorry your life was cut short. If I could do it over, I’d never get in that vehicle tonight.”

“It was fated, Ebba. You had no choice,” Divina said, holding her hand out for the wolf.

“Fated? It was fate that I should kill her because I got in an argument with Spencer? How fucking stupid is that?”

Her anger caused the wolf to whimper, and she swiped her tongue over Ebba’s upturned face. Rubbing against her, the wolf whimpered again. Tears gathered as she watched the proud beast’s soul shimmer.

“Please save her, Goddess. I’ll go with Death.”

“No!” Laszlo gently laid the body at her feet. “No, Ebba. That’s not happening.”

“I ask you again. What would you give to save the creature?” Isis asked her.

“My life. My soul. Whatever it is you demand of me,” Ebba promised.

The Goddess nodded her satisfaction. “Then I shall hold you to that, child.”

Laszlo dragged Ebba behind him. “I don’t want to defy you, Exalted One, but there has to be another way. Something other than taking Ebba. Please.”

“And if I say there is no other way? What would your response be, Laszlo Thorne?”

His expression turned mulish. “There’s always another way.”

“Perhaps.” Isis gestured to the Reaper. “Take Spencer Barlowe’s soul.”

A male spirit materialized beside Ebba. “I’m sorry.”

She straightened to meet Spencer’s apologetic gaze. In this form, he wasn’t as handsome, and she had to wonder if he’d used his powers to amplify his looks. She’d have to ask Laszlo if it was possible. Perhaps he’d lost his luster in the face of her disappointment with him.

“Go in peace, Spencer,” she said, hoping to sound gracious instead of bitter. His inability to understand she had free will and didn’t want him had led to tonight’s tragedy.

With a regretful nod, he approached Death’s companion. And within moments, he disappeared in a cloud of shimmering light, consumed by the Reaper.

A shiver skated along Ebba’s spine. Was she next?

“Ebba James, I shall now pass sentence upon your soul,” Isis said.

“Excuse me?” Surely she hadn’t heard correctly, had she?

Laszlo placed his hand on Ebba’s arm, locking her in place. “Sentence? Why?”

Castor was more emphatic with his, “What the fuck?”

Terrified she’d find herself in the fiery pits of hell, she brushed Laszlo off and moved at a snail’s pace toward the Goddess. Only when she was standing before her, awaiting judgment, did she meet Isis’s exotic eyes.

“I’m sorry,” she said, suitably contrite for the pain she’d caused. If she were being honest with herself, it was great. Her accident had caused Laszlo and another to come from the future, the Goddess, Death, and a Reaper to appear on this plane of existence, the Aether to steal a man’s power, and a wolf to lose her life. Ebba’s sins were many. “I’m prepared for whatever punishment you see fit to dole out, ma’am.”

“Good.”

“Wait!” Lazlo lunged forward. “Take me ! If payment has to be extracted, I’ll pay it on her behalf.”

The Goddess looked between them, then at Castor. “Nothing to say, Alex? No supreme sacrifice on your part?”

“I’ve been around longer than these two. I’ll await your decision, then argue in her favor after.”

She smiled and faced Damian. “I’ve one more request of you, Beloved, and then you may go home to your family.”

“Of course.”

“Assist me in merging the bodies.”

Ebba’s mind blanked, and she looked to Laszlo for answers. He appeared as gobsmacked as her, though. Castor’s confusion was great, too, and it seemed only the Aether understood what the Goddess intended.

Damian knelt beside the wolf and offered a hand to Isis, who knelt on the far side of Ebba’s body. After clasping his proffered hand, she placed her other over Ebba’s heart. He did the same to the wolf.

Their combined power shot upward and collided with the molecules in the air, producing a light show to rival the aurora borealis. The result was so bright, Ebba was forced to shield her eyes. When she sensed it had died down, she dropped her arm.

The wolf was gone, and only her physical self remained.