Page 71 of Of Poison & Pumpkins
I admit defeat.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Elias
I feel cold all over and a strange purple light glows from my body. The sight of Rynn hovering in the air is utter torment. I’m unable to draw deep breaths. I want to lash out at my father, who orchestrates her movements with the flick of his wrist, but I’m under Brooke’s control. I’ll relinquish anything for Rynn to walk out of here, safe and free.
Brooke whispers in my ear with stale breath that matches the rotting fish odor. “You shouldn’t love her. My sister is terrible. During my twelfth birthday party, all my friends ignored me to ask her questions about being a Fuzer. Which is so stupid.”
My eyes stay trained on Rynn, silently begging her to look at me. If I could reach out to her, hold her, I would. But I’m paralyzed. It doesn’t help that time seems to have slowed. I should’ve kept my one wish to use now. Unless … if Rynn’s greatest desire is to be free, she could wish it now and walk out of here unscathed. Deep down, I know that’s never what she’ll ask for. The stubborn woman is too selfless for that.
All my life I’ve lessened my preferences to accommodate others. Of course, irony hits me straight in the face. The one time I’m ready to take charge and fight for what I want, there’s an insane woman commanding my body. Maybe I can resist her hold over me.
Brooke gestures for me to step forward. “Put your hand on her heart.”
I try to squeeze my eyes shut. Fail. My pounding heartbeat thrashes in my ears. With my jaw already clenched, I mentally brace for a shot of pain as I try to resist Brooke’s demand.
Against my choice, my arm still reaches out. Rynn’s eyes widen and she finally looks at me, shaking her head back and forth wildly. Her mouth opens, but no sound comes out. Fuck, I despise every second of this.
My body shakes as I attempt to reel my arm back. To no avail. Rynn’s nostrils flare as my hand lands on her heart. Goddess Above, kill me now. Don’t make me do this. My skin turns clammy and sweaty. I will my feet to back away. Nothing moves. The power of the zombie souls and their intense passion swirls through me, egging me on.
“Okay, now I’ll say the spell and you’ll suck out her power and put it in my necklace,” Brooke says eagerly.
I can’t do this. I won’t. A severe sensation of claustrophobia sets in, increasing my sensitivity to every sound, especially the very breath from Rynn’s lips. Lips I once kissed and may never do so again. Dizziness overwhelms me and black spots fill my vision.
“It’s not working!” Brooke’s voice is spiced with anger. “Why aren’t you doing what I said?”
A surge of increased strength flows through my veins, but I refuse to listen to her. There’s more power swirling in my body than I’ve ever felt. I won’t let her command me. The pounding in my ears escalates as I fight her compulsion. My muscles strain against my skin, every part of me feels tight, ready to tear apart, but I don’t care what happens to me. I have tunnel vision for one goal only—setting Rynn free. Once she said I wouldn’t hurt a leaf. And my girl is damned right.
A pulsing charge within me intensifies, ready to detonate. I need to scream. Roar. Explode. My pulse elevates in warning. This is it. If it’s my last moment, I need to …
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Rynn
Elias looks like a purple nuclear bomb seconds away from igniting everything ablaze. Somehow, he’s resisting Brooke’s commands, but it is tearing him apart from the inside out. I have to help, but how can I when Noah’s magic spell has me stuck floating here without the inability to talk?
The wish.
What exactly should I ask for? I can’t only wish for Elias to be safe, because all the innocent Dazed people will vanish. No one deserves that fate, even Nergs. This all started with me wanting revenge against bullies, but just because some people hurt me doesn’t mean everyone will. Everyone has some goodness in their heart. My chest immediately loosens, and my breath comes a little easier.
Heal. I wish to heal those affected by my need for revenge.
Will it work if I can’t say it aloud?
Immediately, I flop to the floor with a thud. A wave of color washes over everything in the office, erasing the gray. Elias’s knees buckle and he collapses to the floor, then slowly crawls to me, no longer purple or glowing. Thank the fuck.
Brookes gasps. “Noooo!” She starts to stomp out of the room, but Noah blocks her path.
“You okay?” Elias asks me in a shaky voice.
Tears well behind my eyelids and I reach out to him for comfort. He cradles me in his lap, both of us shaking. I sag against Elias’s chest, fully exhausted.
“Talk to me, Sunflower. Tell me you’re okay.”
“I … I need a minute.” I struggle to speak, to find the right words.
He tightens his hold around me and lets his head fall back against the wall. He utters something that sounds like ‘thank you,’ then bows his head. With trembling hands, I pat his chest. His stomach. His face, needing to make sure he’s whole.
