Page 82 of The Witch's Heart
My headache makes it hard to think past my worry for the twins.
Several times, I try to use my magic to open the door or call for Genevieve, but nothing works. I wonder if there’s something about this room keeping them out just as much as it keeps me in.
Panic claws at me, and I know I have to do something. I can sense a danger to what comes next. Something terrible is coming, something even more awful than what I’ve seen here already. But, try as I might, I can’t so much as summon a spark of flame to fight back.
On the other side of the door, footsteps approach. When the lock clicks free, my breath hitches and I think I’ve finally done it. But then the knob turns and the door opens to show Cutter standing before me—and I realize it isn’t my magic at all.
With one look at his expression, I know he’s come to collect me.
Beyond him, the hall is empty.
As if whatever spell that blocked them has been lifted, ghostly figures appear in larger numbers than I’ve seen so far. They are frantic—pushing, shoving, and pleading. Tears of blood run from their eyes as they scream and urge for me to get away.
Runrunrunrunrunrunrunrun.
CourezcourezcourezcourezcourezCourircourircourircourircourir.
correcorrecorrecorrecorre.
I feel the words in my head, playing on a terrified loop in multiple languages at once, and the hair on my arms stand on end. I can't run. There's nowhere to go, but the voices don't care. They want me to leave. Before I end up like them.
“I hear you’ve had quite the ordeal, Celeste. Are you all right?”
This is the first time I’ve seen him since he killed Maria. All I can see when I look at him is her heart clutched in his bloody hands. All I can think is that mine will be next.
“Of course I’m not all right,” I snap. “You tried to kill me.” But my accusation lacks bite in the wake of my own fear.
“I tried to appeal to your most basic instincts,” he says, as if his intentions will change my mind about him. “You’ve been denying this part of yourself for so long, you’ve cut yourself off from your true power. But all of that will change now. Please. Come. We have work to do.”
He walks away, and I remain frozen, thoughts racing. If I refuse to accompany him, he’ll most likely force me anyway, but still, I can’t willingly walk to my own death. And I’m pretty sure that’s how all this ends.
“Celeste,” Cutter prods.
Still, I don’t yield.
Another figure steps into the open doorway and I shudder.
Sir watches me with an expectant look.
I swallow hard.
“Sir, if Celeste needs assistance, please provide it,” Cutter calls back.
I don’t hesitate before hurrying past Sir and down the hall to where Cutter has paused to wait.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“To draw on your true power,” he calls back. “To make you into what you truly are. And to make me, too.”
19
Fear coils like a snake in my gut.
“What does that mean?” I demand, but Cutter doesn't answer, he just keeps walking.
I can only imagine the new experiments the mad scientist has devised for me. And I know I'm walking a razor's edge trying to play his game while also trying to find a way to beat him at it. Logan’s promise runs on a loop in my head. We have to find a way out. Before all of this goes too far.
Hallways. Hallways. Hallways.
