Page 40 of Whisker me Away
"I know," Kieran said quietly. "And I will."
Rowan nodded once and continued on his way, leaving Freya staring after him with guilt settling like lead in her stomach.
"He'll be okay," Kieran said gently. "Rowan's stronger than he looks."
"That doesn't make it hurt less." She wiped at her eyes, angry at herself for crying when she'd made her choice freely. "Come on. Let's see what the brothers found."
The Hollow Mercantile smelled like old books and magical components, a comforting mixture that usually calmed Freya's nerves. Today it only reminded her of everything at stake. Edgar and Rufus Tansley stood behind their counter like matchingbookends, their expressions grave as they gestured to the texts spread before them.
"We've been up all night translating," Edgar said without preamble. "The binding ritual your ancestor performed, it's more complex than we initially understood."
"Complex how?" Freya moved to examine the ancient pages, Kieran close behind her.
"Three components are required," Rufus explained, his usually cheerful demeanor subdued. "A blood descendant of the original binder, which you obviously are. A mate's protective power, which explains why the bond was necessary." His eyes flicked meaningfully between her and Kieran. "And a willing sacrifice to seal the magic permanently."
"Sacrifice of what?" Kieran's voice carried dangerous undertones.
"That's where the texts become frustratingly vague." Edgar pointed to a passage written in archaic Gaelic. "It mentions 'the price of binding evil' and 'what matters most freely given,' but no specific details about what form the sacrifice takes."
Freya studied the ancient writing, her grandmother's voice echoing in her memory as she translated the formal phrases. The binding spell wasn't just about magical power, it required something personal, something precious to ensure the caster's complete commitment to protecting others.
"It could mean anything," she said finally. "Life force, magical ability, years of existence, even..." She swallowed hard. "Even life itself."
"Or it could mean something else entirely." Kieran's hand found her shoulder, his touch grounding. "We won't know until we attempt the ritual."
Before anyone could respond, the shop's bell chimed urgently. Maizy burst through the door, her pointed ears flatagainst her head with distress and her usual bright energy replaced by panic.
"Freya," she gasped. "It's getting worse. The corruption, it's not just affecting plants anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"Mrs. Patte collapsed this morning after trying to tend her herb garden. She's unconscious at the inn, and Miriam can't wake her up. Same thing happened to two other people who got too close to corrupted areas." Maizy's voice cracked with fear. "Whatever's happening, it's spreading to humans now."
The Thornweaver wasn't content with destroying Hollow Oak's flora, it was actively hunting the town's residents. And every day she delayed attempting the binding ritual was another day for people she cared about to fall victim to an ancient evil.
"We need to see Mrs. Patte," she said, already moving toward the door. "If the corruption is affecting humans, I need to understand how before it spreads further."
The Hearth & Hollow Inn's usually welcoming atmosphere felt subdued when they arrived. Miriam met them at the door, her hair disheveled and worry lines etched deep around her eyes.
"She won't wake up," Miriam said without preamble. "I've tried everything – healing potions, magical stimulants, even calling in favors from practitioners in neighboring towns. Nothing works."
"Can I see her?" Freya asked.
They followed Miriam to a guest room where Mrs. Patte lay motionless on crisp white sheets. The elderly woman's face was peaceful, but black veins crawled up her arms like poisonous tattoos, and her skin held the same grayish pallor Freya had seen in corrupted plants.
"It's the same signature," Freya whispered, her magic recoiling from the wrongness radiating from the unconsciouswoman. "The same corruption that's been destroying the town's flora."
"Can you heal her?" Kieran asked.
"I don't know." Freya placed her hands just above Mrs. Patte's chest, letting her power probe the corruption carefully. "It's different when it affects humans. Deeper. Like it's trying to twist her life force the same way it twisted the plants."
The black veins pulsed under her magical touch, and for a terrifying moment, Freya felt the Thornweaver's attention focus on her like a predator sensing prey. The ancient evil was watching, waiting, growing stronger with every person it claimed.
"I can't do this anymore," she said suddenly, pulling her hands back. "I can't keep researching and planning and hoping for perfect answers while people suffer. Mrs. Patte, the others who've fallen sick, they're counting on me to act."
"Freya..." Kieran started, but she was already moving toward the door.
"I'm going to attempt the binding ritual," she announced. "Tomorrow night, during the new moon when the veil between worlds is thinnest. With or without perfect understanding of what the willing sacrifice requires."
