Benton winces. “That’s how I found out you were a witch, too. But you were different from the others. You used your curse to help me. I wanted to return the favor. I wanted to wait, to save you. We just needed a little more time to perfect the cure.” He glowers at me. “But then after you attacked me at Veronica’s house, I knew you had to be stopped.”
“Excuse me for not letting you kill my ex.” The bobby pin tumbles from my grip, but there are enough holes in the tape now. I shove my fingers through and get ready to tug. “And we aren’tsick. There’s nothing to cure.”
Benton shakes his head and pulls off the road. As the wheels spin against gravel, I tug with all my strength. The tape gives way with a drawn-outriiiiip.
I lean back and bring my knees to my chest, pushing Veronica out of the way with my bound hands.
“What are you—”
But Benton doesn’t finish his question. I kick my leg through the space between the front seats, catching him on the side of his head. I rear back to kick again, but he’s faster than I am. He blocks my attack and slams the car into park. I try again, my back pressed against the seat, but Benton swings open his door.
The front seat folds forward, and Benton reaches inside, dragging Veronica out. They disappear from my line of sight, and I can only assume he’s laying her on the ground.
The Hunter leans into the car to pull me out next, and I let him. I’m not going to make my final stand in the backseat of a car, flailing like a cornered cat. But once my feet hit solid ground, I bolt. I run as fast as my legs will carry me, heading back toward the road, hoping someone will drive by and spot me. Spot the murderer chasing after me.
But I’m not fast enough.
Benton tackles me from behind. I hit the dirt. Taste blood.
And everything goes black.
•••
If I wasn’t concussed before, I am now. I roll over on my side and throw up, my insides spilling all over the ground. My mind is mushy, my vision full of shadows. Beside me, Veronica groans.
She’s still alive.We’restill alive.
A series of coughs wracks my body, and I heave. I’m dizzy and disoriented. Unsteady. I dig my fingers into the rich earth, reaching for its energy, trying to tap into its strength, its calm. Nothing. I’m still cut off from my magic. The realization clenches my insides, but I have nothing left to expel.
How long until the drugs wear off?
How long can we survive without our magic?
I collapse onto my back. Beside me, Veronica’s eyelids flutter as she finally starts to stir. Her brows shoot up when her gaze finds mine. “Hannah? What’s happening? Where are we?”
“I don’t know,” I whisper back, my voice hoarse.
The hollow, dull clang of wood smashing against wood draws my attention. I turn to the sound, but my head swims. Despite the nausea, I force myself up until I’m sitting.
Benton throws another piece of wood onto a large pile. It’s at least five feet across and nearly up to his waist.
We need to get out of here.
I try to stand, but my legs aren’t working. Fear slows the blood in my veins when I glance down. There will be no escaping. Not without our magic. Benton has bound our legs together, from ankle to knee. We’re as good as dead.
“Veronica.” I keep my voice low so Benton won’t hear. “Veronica, can you feel the elements? Any of them?” The earth’s power sits untapped beneath me. So close yet untouchable.
She closes her eyes and furrows her brow. She falls silent and still, and I wonder if she’s passed out again. But then her eyes flutter open, filled with tears. “No.” Her whole body quivers, her voice breaking as tears carve down her bloody face. “Hannah, I’m scared. I don’t want to die.”
“We’ll find a way out of this. We’ll be fine.” I push down the terror. If only we had our magic, we could call for help. We could warn the coven.
I glance over at Benton, and when I realize what he’s doing, my heart stops.
Benton raises a pole into the sky, at the center of his pile of wood and kindling.
He’s going to burn us at the stake.
The Witch Hunter stands in front of his finished pyre, hands on hips, head tilted to one side. Like he’s making sure everything is even. Balanced. After a beat, he turns and faces the witches he spent the summer hunting.
