Page 74 of Witch's Fate

“Come on,” Aurora said and led them to the door at the base of the tower.

They made their way up the spiral staircase to a landing at the top. Aurora ran her hands over the door frame.

Removing a charm. So that’s why they hadn’t aetherwalked straight inside. They’d have gotten zapped, or worse.

“Flat, sweet flat,” Aurora said as she led the way in.

Sofia’s brows rose when she entered. The flat was one large, round room with a section walled off for the bedroom. The main room had a small kitchen that faced the living room. The space was full of electronics. Televisions, computers, blenders, fans, flashlights. Half of them were assembled, some were vomiting their circuit boards and wires into the room.

“I had a bit of a thing for electronics when I first got out of the pokey,” Aurora said.

Pokey? Did she mean prison?

“Anyway,” Aurora said, “I’m mostly over that now. I’ve figured out how it all works. Lost its allure. She nudged an old rotary phone with her foot. “I really need to clean this up. But, another time. First, we need to find you some help.”

“I’d like to bring my friend Aleia here, if you don’t mind. She’s a seer and I think we could use all the advice we could get.”

“Good plan,” Aurora said. “You do that, I’m going to try to find some folks. I’ll be back soon. Hopefully with some fighters.”

16

Malcolm pounded on the great wooden door of Corrier’s house. He’d left Sofia at Aurora’s flat on the university campus. He’d return to help her recruit assistance, but first, he had something to do. This would hopefully only take a few minutes and then he’d be able to return to Sofia with news that would bury their troubles.

Cold wind whipped down the valley, making this part of Norway seem more desolate than he remembered it.

Or maybe, it was his situation.

His heart raced as he waited for the door to open. Now that he’d committed to this plan, nerves and anticipation thrummed beneath his skin.

What if there wasn’t a way to forfeit his warlock’s power and stop being an Oath Breaker?

The thought sent a chill over his skin.

That wasnotan option. He’d find a way around this. Once the battle was over and he had no use for his immense power, he’d forfeit it. There would be a way. There had to be.

Finally, the door swung open to reveal the same woman who had opened it on his earlier visit with Sofia. Her green eyes widened at the sight of him.

“You return so soon,” she said.

“Indeed. Corrier?”

She nodded and stepped back into the hall. The sense of familiarity washed over him again at being in Corrier’s home. He’d spent so long here. Met Sofia. Made stupid decisions.

“Malcolm.” Corrier’s warm voice carried down the stairs. His cloak flowed behind him as he walked, presenting an impressive figure. “Is there something I can do for you?”

Malcolm nodded. “Could we speak in your study?”

“Of course.” Corrier led the way, his steps quick.

Malcolm accepted the glass of whisky Corrier handed him, but ignored it. “I need to no longer be an Oath Breaker.”

Corrier’s eyes widened and the glass halted halfway to his lips. He lowered it. “That’s not possible. Warlocks are Oath Breakers. That’s the curse. There’s no way around it.”

“Then I need to no longer be a warlock.” It didn’t phase him a bit to throw away his power. Not like it once would have. Now, with Sofia on the line, he’d give it up in a second.

“Ah. It’s Sofia, isn’t it?”

Malcolm nodded sharply.

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