Page 54 of The Warlock's Trial

“We don’t know where we’re going from there,” Verla said. “We can’t bring nine witches across the Malovian border without a solid plan in place. Let us go and talk to Siona, so we can bring the rest of you through safely. We don’t know this person. We need to make sure she’s a trustworthy guide before we allow her to take us to an entrance to the Abyss. You’re safe here for now. Give us a day or two, and we’ll be able to bring the rest of you safely into Malovia. We’ll see each other again soon.”

Professor Warren placed a hand on Lucas’s shoulders, the look in his eyes very serious. “Take care while we’re gone.”

Warren wasn’t just telling Lucas to keep himself safe, but to take care of all of us.

“Take this.” Grant conjured a potion bottle and pressed it into Warren’s hands. “It’s a tincture I’ve been working on that will conceal your scent from shifters so you can blend in. Place three drops under the tongue every twenty-four hours. Be careful not to waste it, because I don’t have much more of it.”

“Take these, too.” Talia conjured two cloaks she’d made with Grammy’s help. One was a pretty gold velvet, which she handed to Verla, and the other was a silver satin with Celtic knots embroidered across the front. “They will help you blend in.”

“Find Siona at Enchanting Whispers,” Hattie instructed. “There will be a sign for her shop in the merchant district in their capital city of Dolinska. Turn down the alley next to the sign and follow the winding path until you get to the stone gargoyle. Griffin dick will get you through.”

Verla nodded, but my brow furrowed. Now wasn’t the time for jokes. Only, I realized maybe that it wasn’t a joke. I didn’t know much about the fae, and I wondered what strange offerings they required there. Maybe it was the name of an herb.

Lucas and I joined hands, and a portal bloomed. The Malovian mountains appeared in front of us. Verla and Warren stepped through, and then the portal vanished.

They were gone so fast, and the house felt wholly empty, even though we were surrounded by our friends.

Hattie stepped forward, stroking her Familiar’s head. “Everest and I must return to Octavia Falls. I will not see you for some time. Whenever I come here, it puts us all at risk. However, if you need anything, you can call me.”

I hugged her. “Thank you, Hattie.”

Hattie left, and our friends dispersed.

Lucas turned to me, his hands rubbing up and down my arms. “I want to help.”

He couldn’t give me what I wanted, which was to have Grammy back. “I just need some sleep.”

He wrapped an arm around me. “Then let’s get you to bed.”

It was still early in the evening, but I just wanted to sleep and forget about everything. Lucas and I got ready for bed, and he wrapped his arms around me as I drifted off.

* * *

I opened my eyes to find myself surrounded by blackness. I cast a witch light to see I was in the same hallway I’d seen once before, with its damp air and stone walls. I turned toward the door at the end of the hall, sensing something important was behind it.

Something thumped from behind the door, followed by a whimper. It sounded like someone was in trouble!

I scrambled down the hall and yanked the door open. A small, dark room stood beyond me. The walls were made of stone, and a tiny window at the top of the room let in the smallest bit of light. All I could see out the window was a stone archway with ivy twisting around it.

Through the darkness, I spotted the shadows of two women huddled together in the corner. Their hands had been bound, and their mouths were covered in tape. I rushed over to them, and their familiar features became clearer.

“Mandy! Tate!” I cried as I ripped the tape from Mandy’s mouth. Talia’s sister trembled from beside my friend.

“Nadine!” Mandy shook as she reached out for me. Her terror permeated the room, and I felt her horror deep within my bones. She gripped tight to my shirt as she begged, “The priestesses have imprisoned us. You have to save us!”

“Where is this place—?” I started to say, but I never finished. Darkness closed in on me abruptly, and the scene disappeared from view.

* * *

I shot upright in bed, rasping for breath. Lucas startled awake beside me, and he reached for my hand. “Nadine, what’s wrong?”

I placed a hand over my racing heart. “Mandy can project herself into other people’s dreams, and she sent me a message. She and Tate are being held captive by the priestesses, and they need us. Lucas, we need to go back to Octavia Falls and get our friends back.”

Chapter Nine

LUCAS

“Tell them what you told me.” I tried to keep my voice calm, but my pulse raced as everyone gathered in the dining room. Although there were seven of us sitting around the table, the room felt empty without Warren and Verla.

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