Page 66 of Captivating Magic

Death’s perfectly arched brows shot up as she read the parchment. After handing it off to Clutch, she strode to the vehicle and gestured to Spencer. “He’s all yours.”

“You’ll need to wait until his powers are confiscated, my dear,” Isis said, adding a smile to soften the command.

As Laszlo had said,things were getting extremely weird, but Ebba paid no attention to the Goddess or Death, not caring about their silly games. Instead, she focused on the poor animal suffering in the ditch, hoping to find a way to ease its pain. With a fleeting glance toward the others, she scrambled to comfort the beast.

It wasn’t a dog, as she’d initially suspected, but a wolf with a beautiful shiny, black coat. The wary golden eyes watching her approach reminded Ebba of Laszlo. Throughout their lives, he’d worn that same look as if he were weighing the trustworthiness of others.

The beast growled low in its throat as she inched closer.

“It’s all right, sweet baby. I intend to help you.” But she wasn’t sure how she could with no physical form. Andthatparticular thought was difficult to wrap her mind around.

“And how would you help this poor creature, child?”

Ebba gasped at the Goddess, who hovered on the ledge, and she quickly dipped her head as she’d witnessed the others do.

Think fast, Ebba! Think fast!

But her brain cells abandoned her right when she needed them most.

“I’ll ask you again, Ebba James. How would you help this creature?”

“I’d heal her if I could.”

“You cannot. She’s dying.”

Ebba met the wolf’s pain-glazed eyes.

“Thenyoudo it,” she cried. “Please, don’t let her suffer because I’m a shitty driver.”

“She darted in front of you, and there was nothing you were able to do.” Isis gestured behind her. “The accident should tell you as much.”

“Please,” Ebba begged.

Kohl-lined eyes narrowed, and the Goddess stepped off the edge, heedless of the drop. The breeze kicked up, and it was as if a set of invisible stairs existed beneath her feet as she descended into the ditch.

“This creature cannot be healed, child. Her soul is transitioning.”

“Butyoucan save her. I know you can. You’re a goddess, for fuck’s sake! What good are you?—”

“Ebba!” Laszlo’s warning came too late.

The freezing wind bit into her flesh, and Ebba was surprised she felt anything at all. But it was nothing in comparison to the icy tones of the pissed-off Goddess.

“Youdarespeak to me in such a manner?”

Well, no. She wouldn’t have been brave enough if she hadn’t been worked up over tonight’s events. She’d quite literally screwed the pooch on this one—right along with herself.

The spirit of the wolf sidled up to her and rubbed its head along Ebba’s hip before bounding up the dirt wall to stand beside Laszlo. They looked perfect together—the beast and the man. Dark-haired and dangerous-looking, yet worried for her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, unsure if it was meant for him, the wolf, or the Goddess.

“I’ll allow your outburst this once because you fear for this poor creature. But mind your tone. Disrespect willnotbe tolerated.”

Ebba nodded, but inside, she was miserable. Her foolishness had cost at least one life. How many more needed to die?

“Step aside,” Isis said.

After she complied, the Goddess bent and placed a necklace around the wolf’s throat.

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