Page 126 of Elora and the Crow

Malencia burst into flames, and she screamed piercingly. She fell to the ground, writhing and shrieking as the smell of burning flesh hit Jonah like a punch to the face.

He looked away, his stomach churning, but Elora watched with a small smile as Malencia’s screams died out. When he looked again, all that remained of the dark witch was a pile of ashes lying on top of the snow. The wind picked up the ashes, and they floated in the air for a moment before dissipating in the breeze.

As Elora slowly descended to the ground, Jonah turned toward Cece. Ronin was with her, and they were both sitting on the ground, leaning against the tree and staring at Elora. The branch embedded in Cece’s stomach was tossed aside in the snow, and while blood soaked Cece’s shirt, he had no doubt that Ronin had healed her.

He approached Elora, studying her cautiously as she stared at her hands. “Elora?”

“Jonah.” She lifted that terrible blank gaze to his.

Fear creeping and crawling through his body, he said, “Are you okay, baby?”

“I can feel it, Jonah. It wants to be free.”

“What does?”

“Dark magic,” Elora said with a sigh.

“No,” he said as the fear took a stranglehold on him. “No, baby. You can’t let it take you.”

“It’s always been there, inside of me. I’ve held it back for so long, but it’s too powerful now.”

“No.” He gripped her face, the blue light radiating from her cold and icy against his skin. “You’re good, Elora. You are kind and good, and the magic in you doesn’t control you.”

“I’m not strong enough to stop it,” she said.

“You are,” he said fiercely before pressing his mouth against hers. “You are the strongest person I know, little witch. I need you here with me. Don’t let it take you away from me. I love you.”

“I love you too,” she whispered.

“Then fight it,” he said, giving her a little shake. “Fight it, Elora. Come back to me.”

For a moment, he thought it was too late. He could feel the magic humming through her, could hear its siren call, and sense the power that called to her.

He locked eyes with her, cupping her face before he said, “I love you. I will always love you, Elora.”

She closed her eyes, her slender body trembling against his. The light surrounding her faded, and when she opened her eyes again, it was only his sweet Elora staring back at him, her blue eyes shining with love.

“Jonah,” she whispered.

“Elora,” he said, his throat tightening as tears pricked his eyes.

She hugged him hard, and he peppered her face with kisses, kissing away the tears that were sliding down her face.

“I love you,” she said.

“I love you too.”

Her eyes widened. “Cece!”

She whirled around, and he took her hand and squeezed it gently. “She’s okay.”

“Oh God!” Elora let go of his hand and ran to Cece, dropping to her knees beside the blond witch and staring at her blood-soaked shirt. “Oh, Cece.”

“Looks worse than it is,” Cece said with a faint laugh. “Thanks to him.”

She jabbed her thumb at Ronin, who winked at her. “I told you - one hell of a party trick.”

“Are you sure?” Elora tried to pull Cece’s shirt up, but Cece batted her hands away.

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