Chapter 12: The Witch's Bargain
Everyone looked at the note that Kael found written in blood. It was clear that Rowan would die faster if they got closer.
"Who would do this?" Liana whispered as she touched her chain with the crescent moon on it.
Talia took the note and smelled it. Her eyes got bigger. "It smells like... Celeste."
"Impossible," Jace said, but his voice didn't sound sure.
Rowan groaned out of the blue, and black veins started to pulse across his face. He started breathing less deeply again.
"We're running out of time," Elder Mira said. "The blood ritual bought us hours, not days."
Kael punched the wall, cracking the stone. "There must be something we can do!"
Talia's eyes lit up. "Wait! The wandering witch - Willow. She goes through the western woods this time of year. She's known for breaking spells!"
Elder Mira frowned. "Willow is unreliable. Her magic comes with a price."
"I don't care what it costs," Liana said, standing tall. "I'll pay it."
