“Maggie…I love you,” she says. My heart thumps powerfully in my chest as she speaks, as though it’s about to burst out. “I’ve loved you since that night I found you in the woods. I thought that I could pretend to be this person, this wolf, that my pack wanted me to me, but I can’t. I don’t want all of this endless fighting, the politics and the killing for no reason. It’s not me.You’rewhat I want.”
I taste salt, and I realize there are tears flowing down my face. I wipe them away self-consciously with the sleeve of my cardigan.
Rae takes my face in her hands and kisses me, deeply, truly, in a way I never knew I needed to be kissed. The salt blends in with the taste of her. Time stops while we’re embraced, holding on to each other like there’s nobody else in the world.
But of course, that’s not true.
“Rae,” Rory whispers urgently. “We’ve got to go, he’s going to come back soon.”
“Right,” Rae sighs. She looks at me. “You and June will go with Rory. June’s broomstick should still be out in the grounds. Rory will get it and make sure the coast is clear. Then you’ll escape through the woods, where the patrol can’t see you as clearly. June can ride Rory in their wolf form. You should take the broomstick, you’re a better flier…”
I frown. “Wait, what about you? You have to come with us.”
She looks at me, brow furrowed. “I can’t. Finley is supposed to be guarding the dungeon, but I’ve stalled him. I need to make sure you all have enough time to escape. The vampires are awake now and they’ll be patrolling the grounds too.”
My voice shakes, “You can’t.”
“Their whole plan depends on nobody getting a message out,” June says. She turns to Rae, worry in her eyes. “When they realize you’ve betrayed them, they won’t be happy.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Rae squeezes my hands. “I’ll figure something out.”
The cell is dark and damp. I should be terrified right now. But I’m not. For the first time in my life, I feel completely certain.
“No,” I tell her. “I’m not letting you sacrifice yourself for us. I’m not leaving here without you. And I’m not leaving Hallie, the mermaids, or my mom.”
Rae’s face softens. She looks at me with an unreadable expression.
“But…what do we do?” June asks, shakily.
I pull myself up to my full height and wrap my fingers around the clay amulet in my pocket.
THE SHIFTER-WITCH
Rae
The four of us race down the hallway, deeper into the catacombs of the damp, chilly dungeon. We have to be quick, we don’t know how long it will be until Finley returns.
Even in the excitement, I can’t stop looking at Maggie. The twitch of her nose when she’s nervous. The way her curly hair falls in her face. Her light brown eyes shining with determination and love. How could I ever have left her?
We come to the final cell in the dungeon. This one doesn’t have a window.
“I think it’s this one,” I whisper-shout, fitting the key in the lock. My hands are steady as I push open the heavy door. I’ve always been calm in stressful situations and I’m glad my nerves are holding up now.
The cell is completely dark as I enter. Rory follows after me, shining the torch ahead of them.
A figure is crouched in the darkness, her orange cat familiar by her side. She looks up at us as we enter. There’s a terrifying steeliness in her eyes and I shiver. I put my hands up in a gesture of peace.
“Professor Hall,” I whisper urgently. “I know the other Arundel wolves attacked the castle, but we’re not with them. We’re here to break you out…”
“Mom!” Maggie breathes, entering the cell behind Rory.
Lydia Hall’s eyes widen and she rises quickly to her feet as her daughter runs into her arms.
“Maggie!” she says, her voice hoarse. They hold each other tightly. “I was so worried about you, are you all right?”
“I’m ok, mom…”
“Professor Hall,” I say. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we don’t have much time…”
