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  Sybbyl stamped the staff into the ground. The next moment, he was on his feet. His body was no longer his. Sybbyl controlled it, and that worried him greatly. Because if he couldn’t get free, then he couldn’t fight. And if he couldn’t fight...

  He was a Varroki warrior. His life was battle. He had dedicated himself to the eradication of the Coven, to keeping evil from taking hold.

  The entirety of his life, he’d been undefeated. But this was no ordinary witch he was up against. This one had the added power of the First Witch. Jarin thought he’d been prepared for that. He’d been wrong.

  The next time he fought Sybbyl—because there would be a next time—he wouldn’t forget this lesson.

  “Come,” Sybbyl commanded.

  Jarin tried to remain still, but his body moved on its own. The smirks from the remaining two witches set his teeth on edge.

  “Keep smiling,” he retorted. “Had she not stepped in, both of you would be dead.”

  That silenced them for the moment. Jarin clenched his fists. He felt lost without his staff. At least Sybbyl hadn’t picked it up. If she had, she would have discovered that it was no ordinary stick.

  It came from a hazel tree in Norway where the First Witch once lived. He was the only warrior to use a staff, but it wasn’t for its magical capabilities. He hadn’t even realized it had any until he did magic while holding it.

  The staff was a reminder of what he fought for—and against. But the longer he had it with him and the more magic he used while holding it, the stronger they both became. Now, it was a part of him.

  A shadow passed over him. He glanced up and saw Andi, who dipped her wing and swung around to the left. It was her way of letting him know that Armir was still there and hiding on that side.

  21

  The wind had a bite to it, brushing against Helena’s cheek like icy fingers. She sat on the cold ground, thankful that what little snow had fallen was already melted.

  She didn’t know how long she would have to wait for the Coven to arrive, so she took the time to prepare herself. After she’d sent Valdr off to hide, telling him he had to live for Jarin, she faced north. Then she let her soul search for the connections to her ancestors.

  This continent was the Celts’. She had no idea if she had any of their blood within her, but she knew she had Norse. Sybbyl sought to find the voice that had spoken to her when she arrived.

  “I have run for so long,” she said. “If I am the Living Heart, help me find the strength to fight in the coming battle.”

  “You already have all you need.”

  Hearing the feminine voice again sent shivers of excitement through her. “Who are you?”

  “You know who I am. I have guided you since you were a little girl. I tried to guide your mother, but she refused to accept me.”

  Helena gasped, struggling for breath.

  “You have always known the way. You did what you had to do to protect yourself and your mother.”

  “I failed with my daughter.”

  “Nay, my child. You must let go of the past. Look to the future.”

  All she saw was Jarin’s face. “Can I defeat the Coven?”

  “You can do anything you wish. Difficult choices await you. Be ready. You are the Living Heart. In you beats the blood and magic of the First Witch. Never forget that.”

  “Wait,” Helena called, but she knew the voice was gone.

  She understood why some feared magic. It could do terrible, horrendous things. But it could also do amazing things—like connecting her to the First Witch.

  “I will never forget,” she vowed.

  Helena had been scared before, but she wasn’t any longer. No matter what happened, it would occur by her choice. She wanted to end the Coven and return to Jarin, but if all else failed, she would ensure that she wasn’t a pawn in Sybbyl’s game.

  The First Witch had been powerful. She’d determined her own fate. Helena would follow her ancestor’s example and do the same. Her destiny was her own, and she accepted whatever happened.

  It was the call of a falcon that caught Helena’s attention. She lifted her gaze and spotted the bird. When it swooped low, she recognized Andi.

  “Nay,” Helena murmured as she climbed to her feet and turned around.

  She had hoped Armir would keep Jarin away, but the commander must not have been successful. As much as she knew it was better to be separated from him when she faced Sybbyl, Helena’s heart beat faster at the thought of having Jarin with her.

  When the man came into view, she knew immediately that it wasn’t her warrior. Apprehension filled her when she saw that it was Armir who approached instead.

  “What happened?” she demanded when he was close enough.

  The commander’s face was stoic, but anger sizzled just beneath the surface of his light green eyes. “Sybbyl and four Coven members came to the stones. They somehow knew you were not there, so they turned and headed this way.”

  “You followed them,” she said, guessing their next move.

  Armir bowed his head. “Aye. We flanked them, and then Jarin got ahead of Sybbyl. We used a shielding spell, but she knew he was there. In order to give me time to get to you, he revealed himself and killed three of the witches before Sybbyl captured him.”

  Helena took a step back as if she had been struck. “Nay.”

  “She is on her way to you now. Helena, you need to prepare. Whatever she has done to Jarin, he has no control over his body. And...she plans to use him to create a new breed of witches.”

  Helena moved her gaze over Armir’s shoulder where Sybbyl would likely approach. “Let her try.”

  “She’s powerful,” Armir cautioned. “More formidable than either Jarin or I anticipated. Do not underestimate her as we did.”

  She frowned as Armir held out a hand to her. In the next instant, Jarin’s staff appeared. Armir handed it to her. Jarin was never without it. She knew he wouldn’t have let it go unless he had no choice.

  Armir pushed the staff toward her. “Take it. When Jarin first became a warrior, he traveled to Norway where the First Witch died, and her body was cut up and distributed. The Varroki have long believed there was magic in those woods. A storm came, and lightning struck a tree. This was a piece that fell off. He made it into a staff that he’s carried ever since. There is magic inside it. Magic, I believe, from the First Witch.”

  Helena slowly wrapped her fingers around it. When it was securely in her palm, she felt warmth spread from her hand, up her arm, and through her body.

  “Remember who you are.”

  She smiled at the voice she recognized and met Armir’s gaze. “All this time, Jarin had some of the First Witch’s magic.”

  “I do not believe he knew it. Whether he did or not, he did not take advantage of it.”

  “She knows.”

  Armir’s brow puckered. “She?”

  “The First Witch. She has protected Jarin with this gift. Her body might be gone, but she is not.”

  “You have spoken with her.”

  Helena nodded. “I have. But it is also a feeling I get from the staff. From her.”

  Armir blew out a breath, nodding. “I will fight with you.”

  “Nay,” she said, standing in his way when he would move beside her. “The Varroki need you. Malene needs you. Take what you have learned here and tell others.”

  “You wish me to leave you to face Sybbyl alone?”

  “I do.”

  He hesitated. “And Jarin?”

  “He’s a warrior. What do you think he will do?”

  “Fight,” Armir answered.

  Helena grinned. “We both will.”

  “Will it be enough?”

  She gave a nod toward Andi and then to where Valdr waited. “Take the animals. Sybbyl will go after them, and I refuse to allow them to be hurt. Besides, their deaths would destroy Jarin.”

  “What will destroy him is losing you.”

  “He will not lose me,” she promised. />
  Armir bowed, his long, blond ponytail falling over his shoulder. When he straightened, his penetrating gaze met hers. “You have the pride and strength of a Varroki. You will always be welcome within our gates, for you are one of us.”

  Her eyes misted at his words. She smiled before he turned on his heel and walked to where Valdr had emerged from the tree line. It took Armir three tries before Valdr finally followed him. The wolf stopped and looked at her once more before disappearing into the forest.

  Andi flew over her seven times before she too finally followed Armir.

  Helena was thankful that the animals realized they must leave. She drew in a deep breath and slowly released it. Anyone looking at her would think she was alone, but she was far from that. She had the First Witch with her—and Jarin in her heart.

  It wasn’t long after that she saw the approach on the horizon. Sybbyl was in the lead, with Jarin behind her and witches on either side of him.

  Everything was about to come to a head. Helena had hated the Coven for so long, but to allow such emotions to rule her now would be her downfall. So much more was riding on her. She had to think of the bigger picture.

  Helena adjusted her grip on the staff and squared her shoulders when the group reached her. She glanced at Jarin, who lifted one side of his lips in his way of telling her that he was on her side. The brief exchange bolstered her spirits.

  While Sybbyl raked a gaze over Helena, showing her disdain, Helena merely looked at her.

  “Are you really going to stand against me?” Sybbyl asked.

  Helena lifted her chin. “Aye.”

  “Do not be a fool. I’ll win. Nothing can stand against the Staff of the Eternal. Just look what I caught,” she said and motioned to Jarin.

  “Are you so desperate for men that you have to capture one?” Helena asked.

  Sybbyl’s nostrils flared. “Do not pretend that you don’t know him. You and Jarin know each other...intimately. You recently shared your body with him. I want you to know that he is mine now.”

  “Did you not tell Ravyn how women would no longer be under the rule of men? But you have no issue with subjecting men to the same?”

  “You catch on quick.”

  Helena gave a shake of her head. “I like the idea of women making their own decisions, but you are doing this the wrong way.”

  “Magic is the only way,” Sybbyl stated angrily. “Why would we be given such a gift if not to use it?”

  “You mean to kill innocents? Like my baby?”

  Sybbyl rolled her eyes. “You refused the Coven. What did you expect us to do?”

  “And that is all that is wrong with the Coven. Have you thought about how large your organization is, but witches still fight against you, still hide? You, who want to give women the right to make their own decisions, are giving us none.”

  “This is different,” Sybbyl replied.

  Helena grinned sadly. “That is something any fanatic in power would say.”

  “Enough of this,” Sybbyl said, annoyance in her tone and in the expression on her face. “You have one more chance. Join us, or die.”

  “My answer hasn’t changed from the first two times I was given that ultimatum.”

  Helena shrugged, a slow smile forming as a look of pure glee filled her. “Then you die. Only, not today. I will hold you until the life growing inside you is born. Then, I’ll kill you and raise it as my own. I will then control the Living Heart.”

  For a moment, Helena could hear nothing past the rush of blood in her ears. She stopped herself from touching her stomach at the thought of life growing inside her. A life she and Jarin had created.

  Sybbyl couldn’t know how desperately she wanted more children, and for all Helena knew, it was a trick.

  She didn’t dare look at Jarin either. This news made it so that she was barely holding it together. One look at him, and she would shatter the cool façade she had erected for this battle.

  Armir had cautioned her not to underestimate Sybbyl, and yet that’s exactly what she had done. Luckily, she’d realized her mistake in time and could perhaps correct it.

  “You are very confident,” Helena said.

  Sybbyl grinned. “I’m holding the staff.”

  “And I am the Living Heart. You hold a piece of the First Witch. I have her blood. Do you really think you’re stronger than I am?”

  Helena stepped back and let her magic fly. Purple coils sprang from her hand, directed at Sybbyl and the two witches. Sybbyl used the staff to block hers, but the others weren’t so fortunate.

  Helena didn’t waste any time throwing more of her magic. This time, it was directed not just at Sybbyl, but at the smoke bindings that held Jarin.

  Sybbyl’s lips peeled back to show her gritted teeth as she pointed the Staff of the Eternal at Helena. The force of Sybbyl’s magic caused Helena to stumble back several steps and drop to one knee.

  But she was far from finished. Helena lifted her head and locked gazes with Sybbyl. She got to her feet while letting her magic gather within her, pulsing faster and faster. She readied for Sybbyl’s next attack, but it wasn’t directed at her—it was aimed at Jarin.

  Sybbyl placed the tip of the staff against Jarin’s temple. His face contorted in agony, his entire body spasming. He then released a bellow of pain before he dropped to his knees.

  Helena yelled as she threw her magic at Sybbyl, using Jarin’s staff to amplify it. The purple coils wrapped around Sybbyl, sinking into her skin. She screamed in rage and agony as smoke rose from where the magic burned her, but she still kept the staff against Jarin.

  There was a loud blast that threw Helena backward. She landed on her back but quickly rolled over and jumped to her feet. When she readied to release more magic, there was nothing but smoke that billowed from where Sybbyl had been. Helena rushed to it, hoping to find her dead, but the witch was gone.

  And so was Jarin.

  22

  “Nay.” Helena looked around wildly. “Jarin. Jarin!”

  She turned in a circle, looking for any sign of him, but there was nothing. It was as if he’d disappeared without a trace.

  “He’s gone.”

  She ignored the deep voice of Armir because to accept his words was to admit that Jarin was indeed gone.

  “Helena.”

  Tears clouded her vision. She didn’t stop them as they crested over her lids and fell down her cheeks. She had expected to be the one to die. But Jarin was in Sybbyl’s clutches, which was so much worse.

  Something soft brushed against her hand. She sank her fingers into Valdr’s fur as the wolf leaned against her. Overhead, Andi released a loud call as if she too were searching for Jarin.

  “I have to find him,” she said.

  Armir came up on her other side and released a loud breath. “You heard what Sybbyl said.”

  Helena turned her head to meet his gaze. “I told you to leave.”

  “She never saw me or the animals, but I was not going to leave you or Jarin.”

  “You did not help either.”

  “She was gone before I had a chance.”

  Helena turned her head away, squeezing her eyes closed. “I’m sorry. That was unfair. It was my battle.”

  “I was on my way to help when she left, and it isn’t just your battle. It is all of ours.”

  She opened her eyes to see Andi flying away, continuing her search for Jarin. “Where did Sybbyl take him?”

  “Could be any number of places.”

  “That isn’t helpful.”

  “I know.”

  Helena swallowed and drew in a shaky breath. “I will find him.”

  “Aye, you will. With our help.”

  She cut him a look. “Our?”

  “I want you to come to Blackglade with me.”

  “Nay,” she said with a shake of her head. “I cannot give you that kind of time. Besides, I can use a locator spell.”

  Armir clasped his hands behind his back. “Do you really believe Sybb
yl would let you find her so easily? Every witch knows how to do one of those spells. It’s going to take much more to find Jarin.”

  “It will take weeks to reach Blackglade,” she argued.

  “It will take but moments.”

  She frowned at him. “I have heard of that magic before. It is dangerous.”

  “And painful, but it takes mere seconds to cross such distances. Once Jarin is located, we can do it again to reach him.”

  What were her choices? Walking around for months if not years, hoping to stumble across him? Or by taking a chance with the Varroki. If she wanted to get to Jarin, there was only one option open to her.

  “I am not leaving Andi or Valdr,” she stated.

  Armir opened his mouth, then closed it. He looked down at the wolf. “We do not take animals when we do such magic.”

  “We will this time. At least Valdr. We can send Andi flying to Blackglade.”

  Armir flattened his lips in disapproval, but he finally relented. “I’ll need to make the wolf sleep first. Otherwise, it might be too painful for him.”

  “Do what you must,” she said and whispered Andi’s name while sending magic along the wind to call the falcon back. Then she went down on her haunches to look into the wolf’s eyes. “I need you with me to find Jarin. Please trust me. Lay down.”

  The animal lowered himself to the ground and turned his head to Armir as if waiting. Armir squatted beside the wolf and stared into his eyes as he began whispering a spell. Valdr was asleep within moments.

  As soon as Andi returned, Helena bade the bird return to Blackglade where she, Valdr, and Armir would be waiting. The bird let out a forlorn cry before she returned to the sky.

  “Now what?” Helena asked Armir.

  The commander met her gaze and twisted his lips. “Prepare yourself.”

  Helena tightened her hold on the staff. When Armir squatted down next to the wolf and touched Valdr, she did the same. Armir then covered the hand she had on the staff with his own. He whispered two words. A heartbeat passed with nothing. Then, no sooner had she blinked than it felt as if her world were being ripped apart, as if she were being ripped apart.