Page 111 of Magic's Rise

I hesitate, studying Jacob’s unconscious form on the floor. My thoughts make me sad, but I would be sadder to stay silent and find out later that he hurt more people.

“Jacob will always blame Griffen for what happened when his lover left town,” I say quietly. “He might try to destroy the barrier again if he stays here.”

Levi’s eyes meet mine, understanding and acceptance on his face. “You’re suggesting we send him through the barriers.”

I nod. “The sooner the better, while it can still take his memories. Give him a new start as a human on the outside. It may be the only way his mind ever heals.”

“Alright,” Levi agrees, picking up Jacob with ease. “I’ll do it tonight before he wakes up.”

As he heads for the stairs, Aspen hobbles forward and holds out my wand.

With a grateful smile, I take it from him and slide it back into the sheath on my arm. “For your information, I didn’t lose this. It was taken while I was unconscious.”

“I believe you.” He tucks his hands into his pockets. “I apologize that my distraction caused you harm.”

I play with my little potion bottle charm. “Did you find a solution?”

He nods slowly. “I think I did, and it’s far simpler than we were thinking.”

Hope blooms in my chest. “So simple that we don’t have to slather up in goo and dance naked?”

“Afraid not,” he says, stomping all over my beautiful bloom. “We’re going to cast the Hartford Cove barrier, and then we’re going to attach the Silver Hollow one to it. The two barriers will laminate together, and the spells will transfer over, preserving the memory wiping and the protection from moon madness.”

“That’s wonderful. Yippee for us.” Tris’s gaze darts around the shadows created by all the cages. “Can we please get out of this creepy basement now?”

“I thought no one would ever ask.” I offer my arm to Aspen, and we head toward the stairs.

As we cross the floor, Aspen’s foot bumps against something hard that clatters, and he picks up two stone statues, one wolf-shaped and the other a diamond with a dark, flame-like engraving that makes me shiver.

My heart races as he looks at me, clearly recognizing the significance of the items.

“Aspen, I?—”

“Tell no one about this,” he cuts me off with a whisper. “If the council were to find out, they wouldn’t let you stay in Hartford Cove. Such gifts are too valuable.”

Haut stiffens, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “You’re not going to tell them?”

“Yeah.” Tris steps up to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Haut. “Aren’t you their spy?”

Aspen shakes his head, his gaze never leaving mine. “No, I’m Rowe’s teacher, and it’s my duty to do what’s best for my apprentice. Being with her family is what’s best.”

Overwhelmed with gratitude, I hug him.

Aspen hesitates for a moment before wrapping his arms around me, patting my back with one hand.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Of course.” Stepping back, he passes me the statues. “You should destroy these.”

Cradling the wolf statue in my palm, I feel a heartbeat pulsing from within, and deep down, I know that I could return the wolf to Jacob, that he could be a werewolf without the moon madness. My focus shifts to the diamond-shaped stone, where I sense anger and hunger, like a storm raging inside of it, threatening to swallow whole anyone who comes in contact with it.

Excitement bubbles through my veins like a shaken soda. “Hey, Aspen, remember when you said werewolves were created by a witch’s curse?”

He nods. “Yes, that’s one theory.”

I hold up the diamond stone. “Well, I think you’re wrong.”

“I never said it was my theory.” He raises an eyebrow. “But why do you think it’s wrong?”

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