Page 70 of Captivating Magic

“Go in peace, Spencer,” she said, hoping to sound gracious instead of bitter. His inability to understand she had free will and didn’t want him had led to tonight’s tragedy.

With a regretful nod, he approached Death’s companion. And within moments, he disappeared in a cloud of shimmering light, consumed by the Reaper.

A shiver skated along Ebba’s spine. Was she next?

“Ebba James, I shall now pass sentence upon your soul,” Isis said.

“Excuse me?” Surely she hadn’t heard correctly, had she?

Laszlo placed his hand on Ebba’s arm, locking her in place. “Sentence? Why?”

Castor was more emphatic with his,“What the fuck?”

Terrified she’d find herself in the fiery pits of hell, she brushed Laszlo off and moved at a snail’s pace toward the Goddess. Only when she was standing before her, awaiting judgment, did she meet Isis’s exotic eyes.

“I’m sorry,” she said, suitably contrite for the pain she’d caused. If she were being honest with herself, it was great. Her accident had caused Laszlo and another to come from the future, the Goddess, Death, and a Reaper to appear on this plane of existence, the Aether to steal a man’s power, and a wolf to lose her life. Ebba’s sins were many. “I’m prepared for whatever punishment you see fit to dole out, ma’am.”

“Good.”

“Wait!”Lazlo lunged forward. “Takeme! If payment has to be extracted, I’ll pay it on her behalf.”

The Goddess looked between them, then at Castor. “Nothing to say, Alex? No supreme sacrifice on your part?”

“I’ve been around longer than these two. I’ll await your decision, then argue in her favor after.”

She smiled and faced Damian. “I’ve one more request of you, Beloved, and then you may go home to your family.”

“Of course.”

“Assist me in merging the bodies.”

Ebba’s mind blanked, and she looked to Laszlo for answers. He appeared as gobsmacked as her, though. Castor’s confusion was great, too, and it seemed only the Aether understood what the Goddess intended.

Damian knelt beside the wolf and offered a hand to Isis, who knelt on the far side of Ebba’s body. After clasping his proffered hand, she placed her other over Ebba’s heart. He did the same to the wolf.

Their combined power shot upward and collided with the molecules in the air, producing a light show to rival the aurora borealis. The result was so bright, Ebba was forced to shield her eyes. When she sensed it had died down, she dropped her arm.

The wolf was gone, and only her physical self remained.

25

“What happened? Where did the wolf go?” Ebba asked, transfixed by the pulsing amulet.

“You’ve become one, child.”

Unable to comprehend, she shook her head and looked down at the patiently waiting spirit between her and Laszlo. Once again, the wolf’s pink tongue lolled out the side of her grinning mouth, and this close, Ebba registered the scale of the beast’s intimidating teeth. Lying beside her, the length of the wolf’s body was the same as hers.

“What about her mate? Don’t they only have one? I’m sure I read that somewhere.” What made her ask that, other than the worry in Laszlo’s burnt-amber eyes? When had they darkened? Was it the effect of the dark light or the deep emotion he was experiencing?

“He was shot by hunters last month. She has no offspring awaiting her care.” Isis rose to her feet and crossed to their small group. “You and the wolf are now one, child.”

“You mentioned a choice,” Laszlo said. “What is it?”

“She made it when she claimed she would do anything to save the creature.” Isis smiled. “This is what is required for them both to survive.”

“I still don’t get what’s happening.” Ebba rubbed her forehead and glanced down. “Do you?” she asked the black beauty.

“Yes.”

---