Page 11 of The Magic of Betrayal
"Bram... thank you..." she gasped just before another soul piercing wail filled the room.
"I'm going to track you down, tiny warrior. I will find you. I pity the bastard who would dare to steal you from me like this," I told her, a threat and a promise in those words.
I blinked once and she was gone, the scream the only thing left of her in the room, and even that dissipated into silence moments later and I was left demoned out in my full form, alone, again.
With clasped hands we all sat around Saige, creating a supercharged magical circle that would hopefully be forceful enough to return her to her physical body. Gran was in charge, taking to the role easily as she ordered us about and gave directions. None of us gave a shit though, the severity of the situation having each of us admitting that we were not the most qualified person in the room for this task.
Gran was sitting on Saige’s left side, having already placed the necklace around her neck. Cam was on her right, Sloane beside him, Kai was sitting cross legged at the bottom of the bed, and my hand was firmly holding his and Bette’s. We’d gone over the spell; we all knew what we needed to say.
“On my start.” Bette looked to each of us, her face the picture of focus.
She began, and all four of our voices joined in, our chanting creating a melodic cadence that caused each of our magics to manifest. Soon wisps of color, yellow for Kai, blue for Cam, red for Sloane, black and silver for me, and dark green for Bette, all intertwined and began wrapping around our arms, moving through each of us, and into Saige.
Return to us, for all our sakes, we call you back to Emerald Lakes.
Sweat broke out on my brow, the hair around my neck growing increasingly damp with each pass of the words that left my mouth. I’m sure the others were feeling it too, but I couldn’t take my eyes off my sweetheart. The pentagram began glowing, a sign we took to mean whatever the hell we were doing was working. Bette and Kai both squeezed my hand in encouragement.
“Louder, boys, come on! It’s working, the color is coming back to her face, drop your mental shields and let’s do this shit!” Bette shouted before diving right back into the chant with renewed vigor.
Maven had been pacing on the floor when we’d started, but he dove through the circle and nestled right on top of Saige’s chest, laying his snout right on the illuminated necklace. Her body began seizing and horrible, awful sounds came from her throat. Noises that would haunt me for the rest of time.
“Come on, baby girl. Don’t fight us. Come home, little witch,” Cam pleaded, his voice cracking as our hair began to stand on end like we’d been electrocuted.
We call you back to Emerald Lakes. We call you back to Emerald Lakes. We call you back to Emerald Lakes.
The second the last word left our mouths, a blinding flash lit the entire room and Saige’s scream filled the space.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, we’ve got you,” Kai called out, placing a hand on her thigh. The purple robe she had been wearing was gone, seemingly traded in for some normal comfortable clothes.So freaking weird how the clothes come with her when she goes back and forth.
Saige’s eyes scanned the faces surrounding her and she visibly relaxed as her hands found Maven’s fur. Her hair was stuck to her face, the exertion it took to bring her back apparently not only having affected us.
“Are you hurt, baby girl?” Cam stroked her cheek in such a gentle gesture that should not have been possible from a man of his size.
“N-not anymore. The pull that brought me back was excruciating though. Does someone have water?” she rasped, clearing her throat.
“Right here, Red.” Sloane stood and snagged a water bottle from the nightstand, unscrewing the lid before handing it to her.
Maven hopped off of her chest, and Cam and Bette helped her sit up. She drank generously before giving the bottle to Bette and collapsing back down to her pillow.
“We can’t tell you how worried we were, sweetheart. Were you safe? Did anyone harm you?” I questioned, needing to know if she’d been hurt, and how I could fix it.
“Safe enough. I did meet the demon king, though. Serious bastard, but the guy who I’d seen before, he’s actually his son, and he showed me around and kept me away from his shitty dad.” She paused, rubbing her face with her hands and Maven slithered up to her once again, pressing himself against her side. “So, how did you call me back?”
“Well, that was all Gran, Sprout. She took charge and is the reason you’re here. Thank the stars.” Kai all but pounced on Bette, wrapping her in a heartfelt embrace, his low words were for her alone, but I could hear the thanks and the sincerity in his voice.
Saige laughed softly, taking Bette’s hands and the two Wildes witches stared into each other’s eyes in an intimate moment that made me feel a bit like an intruder. Wanting to give them some space, I moved to stand and Bette’s hand snapped out, latching onto my arm.
“I don’t think so, Fish-boy. No running off. I’m exhausted, that spell took a lot out of me. I’m going to head to my house in a few minutes and you guys can fill her in. Deal?”
We all nodded our agreement, and I realized in that moment that Bette was a total alpha boss witch. She would’ve been one hell of a team lead in her hay day.
“Thank you, Gran. For everything. I love you so much.” Saige’s voice wavered as her emotions hit home.
“I love you too, child. No thanks needed, I know you’d do the same for me. The necklace you’re wearing, it’s a tether. It will keep you firmly in this realm, no more astral projecting. I’d hoped the wards we placed after the shadow demons appeared in your room would’ve stopped it, but the pull must’ve been too great. This will for sure put a stop to it. So don’t fear, you won’t ever go back there,” Gran informed her, and I raised an eyebrow when instead of relief, a flash of another emotion danced across Saige’s face. Was it sadness? Longing? Uncertainty? Whatever it was, it made me wonder if she was okay with never returning.What the fuck went on in the time she’s been gone?
Bette rose from the bed, making her way to the door, before turning back. “I’ll stop by in the morning for breakfast. French toast and bacon. Or maybe sausage? By the stars, I love sausage...” she trailed off, her eyes tracking across our bodies wistfully for a few moments before exiting the room with her usual flair.
“What can we do, baby?” Cam questioned, lying beside her, holding her hand, Kai on the other side.
