Page 109 of Elora and the Crow

“I grew up with your grandmother,” Agnes said. “You look like her at that age. She’s powerful, but I reckon your magic will overtake hers soon.”

“It won’t,” Elora said shortly.

Agnes just shrugged. “The WWC still trying to convince her to join them?”

Elora’s irritation flared, heightening her magic, and Agnes stared at the smoke drifting from Elora’s fingertips with something that looked like amusement.

Elora’s annoyance festered in her belly. She was trying to save a man’s life, and the old witch wanted to play catch up about her grandmother? She did not have time for this bullshit.

An incantation hovered on her tongue, something ancient and dangerous that she had no way of knowing, but there it was, demanding to be used, demanding to be unleashed on the witch who insisted on wasting Elora’s time.

More smoke drifted from her body, and she could feel the power thrumming through her. She stared at Agnes, her body vibrating wildly. The witch stared calmly at her, and something about that calmness, the peace that radiated from her when Elora’s body was on fire with a power she no longer felt in control of, sent even more anger racing through her.

Before she could speak the incantation, Jonah crouched in front of her. His hand cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. “Elora, control your magic.”

She stared at Jonah, his dark eyes radiating love and warmth.

“Can’t,” she breathed as her magic rose to the surface. “Jonah, I can’t.”

“You can, baby,” he said. “I know you can.”

She clutched at his wrists, her hands a bright blue as tendrils of smoke curled around them. Her nails dug into his flesh as she struggled to win the battle within her, but he didn’t flinch or pull away. A cluster of candles sitting on a small table burst into flame, their wicks burning so hot and bright that the candles turned to puddles of wax in seconds.

She took a deep breath, gazing intently at Jonah as she fought to control the magic. After what felt like an eternity, the magic within her subsided, leaving her feeling shaky and weak. Her body slumped against Jonah’s, and he pressed a kiss against her forehead. “Good job, baby.”

He kissed her again before retreating. Behind them, Charissa was extinguishing the burning puddles of candle wax. Cece remained near the door, her curvy body trembling. Her aura surrounded her in a pale green shimmer. It was beautiful, Elora thought dimly, her gaze dropping to her own hands before the truth of what she had just seen rocketed through her. Apprentice witches didn’t have auras.

She snapped her gaze back to Cece, but no aura surrounded her. Cece smiled tentatively at her, and Elora gave her a faint smile in return. She hadn’t seen an aura surrounding Cece. It was just a weird blip in Elora’s magic.

“So, are the WWC still after her to work for them?” Agnes asked. If she had an idea that Elora had been a few seconds from casting a curse on her, she made no indication and certainly didn’t look afraid.

“Yes,” Elora said. “She keeps turning them down.”

“Ayuh,” Agnes said, “Helen never was much for the politics of witchcraft. Why are you not asking her for help?”

“She’s visiting her sister in the old country,” Elora said.

“Ah, doing the Ritual of Remar, no doubt,” Agnes said.

“Yes,” Elora said.

The old witch’s aura shimmered gently, rippling around her body like a living, breathing thing. Agnes studied Elora for a few seconds before saying, “Malencia and I were friends until she turned to dark magic. She was powerful, but it wasn’t enough for her. I warned her of the dangers of using dark magic to increase her power, but she was so stubborn, she never did listen worth shit.”

“How long has she been practicing dark magic?” Elora asked.

“Almost a decade.”

“Ten years? How has she not been caught by the WWC?” Charissa asked.

Agnes scoffed. “The WWC is so worried about dangers thatmighthappen, they don’t see the dangers thatarehappening.”

She eyed Elora. “Charissa told me you went to the WWC, and they were useless.”

“They put her on a list,” Elora said.

Agnes snorted laughter. “Ayuh, the infamous dark witch list. Bunch of bullshit, that is. Back in my day, the WWC took care of dark witches quickly and efficiently. Weren’t no lists or bureaucratic bullshit taking place.”

“So, you can tell me where Malencia lives?” Elora said.

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