Bella stood firm, her arms wrapped tightly around Rosalie as Adam’s words echoed in her mind. “I’ll do whatever it takes,” she repeated, her voice unwavering. Her eyes met Adam’s, defying his grim expression.
Kael stood beside her, his hand resting protectively on her back. “We’re in this together,” he said, his tone brooking no argument.
Adam nodded, his jaw tightening. “Then we begin now. Time isn’t on your side.”
The packhouse was abuzz with activity as Adam took command. He listed the ingredients for the ritual with precision, each item more obscure than the last. “We’ll need Moonroot petals, Ember Ash, and Starfire crystals,” Adam instructed Eryon, who quickly scribbled notes. “Misery and Lira, you’ll help me prepare the sacred markings. Kael, Bella—keep Rosalie calm. She’ll sense everything we’re doing.”
Bella looked down at her daughter, whose breathing remained shallow. A pang of guilt struck her chest, but she shook it off, forcing herself to stay strong. She couldn’t falter now.
Misery approached with a hesitant expression. “Moonroot petals are rare—nearly impossible to find in this region. It could take days.”
“We don’t have days,” Adam snapped. “There’s a grove deep in the Shadowfen Forest where they grow. Take only what you need and return immediately. The Ember Ash and Starfire crystals are already in my packhouse. Eryon, you’ll retrieve them.”
Misery nodded, determination replacing her initial doubt. “I’ll leave now,” she said, already heading for the door.
Kael turned to Adam, his tone sharp. “What exactly is this ritual going to do?”
Adam’s expression darkened. “The spell binding Rosalie to Esmera is feeding on her hybrid energy. To break it, we need to force her energy to fight back—but it won’t be easy.”
Bella’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
Adam sighed, the weight of the explanation clear in his voice. “The magic we’re using won’t just target the spell. It’ll target her, too. It’ll see her hybrid energy as part of the problem and attack it. If she’s strong enough, she’ll survive. If not…”
He trailed off, but the implication was clear. Bella’s heart clenched, but she squared her shoulders. “Rosalie is strong,” she said fiercely. “She’ll make it.”
Adam’s gaze softened for a moment before he nodded. “Then let’s give her the chance she needs.”
Hours later, the packhouse was transformed into a makeshift ritual chamber. Adam worked methodically, laying out magical relics and carving intricate symbols into the floor with a blade tipped in silver. The air felt charged, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Bella stayed close to Rosalie, her fingers brushing against her daughter’s tiny hand. She whispered soft reassurances, trying to ignore the knot of fear twisting in her stomach.
Kael paced nearby, his frustration mounting. “How long is this going to take?” he asked, his voice strained.
“As long as it needs to,” Adam replied without looking up.
Kael ran a hand through his hair, glancing at Bella. “I hate this. Sitting here, waiting, not being able to do anything.”
Bella reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “You are doing something. You’re here—for her, for me. That’s enough.”
Kael sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “I just want this to be over. I want her to be safe.”
“We all do,” Bella said softly, her gaze returning to Rosalie.
Misery returned as dusk fell, clutching a small satchel filled with pale blue petals. Her hair was disheveled, and her breathing was labored, but her expression was triumphant. “I got them,” she announced, handing the satchel to Adam.
Adam inspected the contents, nodding approvingly. “Good. Now we’re ready to begin.”
Eryon entered moments later, carrying a box filled with shimmering crystals and a jar of fine gray powder. “Everything’s here,” he said, setting the items down beside Adam.
“Good,” Adam said again, his voice firm. He turned to Bella and Kael. “Once the ritual starts, there’s no going back. You need to be prepared for what’s coming.”
Bella nodded, her grip on Rosalie tightening. “We’re ready.”
Kael hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping forward. “Do what you have to,” he said.
Adam began mixing the ingredients, grinding the Moonroot petals into a paste and sprinkling the Ember Ash over the symbols on the floor. The Starfire crystals were placed in a circle around the ritual site, their glow casting an ethereal light over the room.
As the final preparations were made, Bella felt a surge of determination rise within her. She looked at Adam, her voice steady. “This will work,” she said.