Brenna
A small smile lit Magenta’s lips. “Let’s just say... I’ve been busy.”
Guilt reared its ugly head within my chest. “Magenta, I had no idea. I’m so sorry—”
“Enough!” Willow threw over her shoulder, tears coursing down her cheeks. “The transfer of magic must continue. It cannot be left to fate.” Then she glanced down at Magenta, and her face softened. “Especially not the magic of a witch as powerful as Magenta Delecure.”
At that moment, I realized that Magenta had given her life and had hung on long enough to join Adan and me as Mates.
“I just hope it was worth it,” Willow threw bitterly over her shoulder at me.
“Willow....” Magenta placed her hand on her cheek, smiling as she captured her attention. “Promise me that you will not take your wrath out on Brenna. This wasn’t hers nor Adan’s fault.” She lifted her chin, straightening her shoulders. “I made my choice.”
Tears rolled down Willow’s cheeks as she clasped Magenta’s hand. “I understand. I shall not harm the Luna nor her Mate.”
Magenta’s smile broadened. “Thank you,” she breathed. “Willow, promise me that you’ll live a long life, and that it will be just as amazing as mine.”
Willow nodded. “Yes,” she whispered, moving closer, “But the most amazing part of my life will always be you.”
Magenta nodded, a tear rolling down her cheek. “Hinc omnia magica, quae ad te possideo, transfer.” A bright white light suddenly filled the room as Willow and Magenta’s muscles tightened, as wind swirled around them.
“Goodbye, my friend, my love.” Willow gently kissed Magenta’s lips, and white and gold sparkles rushed in, joining the whirlwind of light enveloping them both. When the light faded and the swirling slowed and finally stopped, Magenta was no longer there. Willow’s hand fell limply to her lap.
“Where is she? What happened?” I asked, even though I already knew.
“She’s gone to the next realm.” Willow bit her lower lip as she stood and dabbed at her eyes. “When a witch passes, her magic must be passed on to another powerful witch. We do not take our magic with us. It remains here.”
Tears filled my eyes as I took her hand. “Willow, I’m so sorry—”
“Do not touch me!” she pulled back abruptly. “Trust me, if I hadn’t made the promise to Magenta not to kill you, both of you would be dead now.”
Adan yanked me behind him. “It’s not our fault. We didn’t know—”
“Oh no?” Willow took a step closer as she tilted her head to the side. “Could you not see that she was ill?”
“Yes, but she said she was fine—”
“Yet you still had Magenta bind you.” Willow stepped closer so she was nose-to-nose with Adan. “Well, as I told your Mate, I hope it was worth it.” Then she raised her arms, and I sensed she was ready to leave.
“Wait!” I yelled, stepping out from around Adan. “Please, don’t let the love you had for Magenta be tainted by her passing. She will always be with us, in our hearts.”
“Yes, well—”
“She would want more for you than a life of bitterness and regret—”
“How dare you?” Willow’s eyes flared. “Who are you, child, to speak to me of regret and bitterness?”
“I can see it in your eyes. I can feel it around you,” I replied. “But Magenta lived the life she had wanted to live on her terms. Please, don’t fault her for that.”
“No.” Willow’s face contorted into something sinister, evil. “I fault you for it.”
“But you made a promise—”
“Yes, I did,” Willow continued. “And I will keep that promise. But trust me, I will find a way. If I have my way, neither you nor your Mate will live to see the next Blood Moon.”
“Because Magenta loved you, I’m going to let that slide just this once,” Adan growled, stepping between us. “But if you threaten my Mate like that again, there will never be enough lives for you to live to regret it.”
Willow nodded, smirking as she raised her arms and yelled, “Post excessum Circle of Selene Castle!” Circle of Selene, the Moon Goddess. Their coven probably serves the Moon Goddess just as we do, which was why there was a witch in nearly every Pack.
All of a sudden, wind rushed in like it did before and encircled Willow. “Fear not,” she said as red and silver sparkles rushed in, encircling her along with the wind. “I will see you soon.”
Adan reached for Willow, but she disappeared in a cloud of red and silver dust.
He clenched his jaw as he took my hand and led me toward the door. “She's evil. The red sparkles are a dead giveaway. The only thing that may be in our favor was that there were silver sparkles, too.”
"Which means?"
He let out a deep breath. “If a witch is completely evil, her sparkles are solid red.” A crease formed between his eyes. “It's the only thing a witch can't fake.”
Then he turned and gently closed the door behind us.
“What did Willow mean?” I asked, trying to keep up with Adan’s huge steps. “Surely, she isn’t coming after us! Not after the promise she made to—”
“But she didn’t promise Magenta that she wouldn’t send someone else,” Adan cut me off as he led me into the elevator. My guards stood outside. “See that Knox gets to his suite safely. I will see to the Queen.”
“Aye!” they both said in unison, heading back down the hallway toward Magenta’s suite, leaving me to wonder what else this night would bring.
Adan took his cell phone out of his pocket and spoke so fast that I had a hard time keeping up. “Wyatt, prepare for battle.” He paused for a moment, listening. Because of my wolf-hearing, I could hear everything Wyatt said on the other end.
“What’s going on, Adan?”
Adan let out a deep breath, pursing his lips. “I’ll fill you in later, but just be prepared.”
There was a pause at the other end. “So, what are we talking, Boss?”
“I’m not sure,” Adan replied. “The witches from the Circle of Selene Witch Coven may come for us or the Snow Warrior Pack. Also, check to see if Mason or Dominic was found among the dead. I need confirmation.”
There was a pause at the other end before Wyatt spoke. “I already have it. Their bodies weren’t found.”
Adan rolled his eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. I checked myself.”
He nodded, even though Wyatt couldn’t see. “If they are spotted on the premises, kill them on sight. Do not hesitate.”