Sleigh Bells and Dragon Spells (Whispering Pines #8)

Chapter 33

THIRTY-THREE

S ilence fell as the others absorbed this. Briar watched their faces shift from shock to determination.

“Then we fight back,” Daisy declared, her usual cheer replaced with steel. “I can reach out to my spiritual contacts, see if they know any weaknesses in her manifestation.”

“The station has thermal imaging equipment,” Reed added. “Might help us track the cold spots where she’s gathering power.”

“Molly’s already noticed something off with her baking,” Ellie said, warming to the planning. “The protective charms in her recipes aren’t holding as well. But maybe we can modify them, create something specifically targeted against spiritual interference.”

Ideas flowed faster now. Celeste and Kade would reinforce the town’s magical barriers, drawing on their connection to earth magic. Tabitha and Bram dove into the ancient texts, looking for spells that might help contain or banish Morganna’s spirit. Roarke offered to coordinate with his tactical team, setting up defensive positions around key magical sites.

Despite the gravity of their situation, moments of lightness broke through. Bram suggested using his strongest beer as a spiritual deterrent, earning a playful swat from Tabitha. Daisy demonstrated her most dramatic ghost-summoning pose, making even Falkor’s lips twitch slightly.

“We need to coordinate our timing,” Briar said, drawing their attention back to the central issue. “Morganna’s power seems strongest at twilight and dawn—the in-between times. That’s when she’ll expect us to strike.”

“So we don’t,” Falkor stated flatly. “We hit her at high noon tomorrow when the sun’s power is strongest. She’ll be at her weakest.”

“But we’ll need a way to draw her out,” Celeste mused. “Something to force her to manifest fully.”

A cold smile crossed Falkor’s face. “She never could resist a chance to torment her children. I’ll be the bait.”

“Not alone,” Briar said firmly, matching his stubborn look with one of her own. “I’ll anchor you with a protection spell. The rest of you—” she turned to the group “—surround the manifestation point in a spiral pattern. Alternate witch and shifter at each cardinal direction. When she appears...”

“I’ll channel fire through the cardinal points,” Falkor continued, catching on to her strategy. “The shifters’ energy will amplify it, and the witches can use that power to seal the spiritual breach she’s using to maintain her form.”

Tabitha looked up from an ancient text, her eyes bright with recognition. “There’s a spell here—it’s complex, but with our combined power, we could modify it to create a spiritual containment field. Once she’s trapped inside...”

“My fire will end it,” Falkor finished quietly. “Permanently this time.”

The grove fell silent again, but now it was a silence full of purpose and determination. These weren’t just allies anymore—they were a unified force, each bringing their own strengths to the fight.

“We should perform the unification ritual,” Celeste suggested. “Strengthen our magical bonds before tomorrow.”

They formed a circle, clasping hands. Even Falkor took his place without hesitation, his warm palm steady against Briar’s. The grove’s ancient magic rose to meet them as Celeste began the chant, her clear voice carrying power and purpose.

Briar felt the energy build, flowing through their joined hands like liquid light. Each person’s magic had its own signature—Daisy’s sparkled like champagne bubbles, Ellie’s flowed smooth as honey, Tabitha’s crackled with intellectual energy. And Falkor... his power burned like a star gone supernova, intense enough to take her breath away.

“Together, we are stronger than any darkness,” Celeste proclaimed as the ritual peaked. The truth of it sang through their linked magic, making the grove itself pulse with light.

When they finally broke apart, the air felt charged with possibility. The group dispersed to begin their preparations, but the magical connection lingered, a reminder of their shared purpose.

Briar found herself alone with Falkor in the grove, watching shadows dance at the edge of their sanctuary. The storm still raged beyond their barriers, but here, now, she felt hope take root and grow.

“Your mother underestimates the power of connection,” she said softly. “She thinks it makes us weak.”

“She’s wrong.” Falkor’s voice was equally quiet but carried absolute conviction. “I’ve seen what this town can do when it stands together. What you can do.” He turned to face her fully, golden eyes intense. “Thank you for showing me another way.”

Briar reached for his hand again, and this time there was nothing ritualistic about the contact. His fingers interlaced with hers naturally as if they’d been doing this for centuries.

“Together, then?” she asked.

His answer was simple but carried the weight of promise. “Together.”