She had been sent to that hospital before, when the illness from her grief had struck her. And though it created a temporary loss of her powers, Elnora was the one to make them be lost forever.

She panicked. She closed her eyes again, despite Sunni waiting for her to answer. She listened for the gentle singing of her magic; the vibration that lived in her veins was alive. Her magic was no longer dormant, it swirled inside her, forever moving.

Bethan had to play her cards right and well without knowing precisely what the potion was and its effects.

‘Kellan,’ Bethan called for him.

Is he safe? The memories of the night before came out in waves in her mind.

‘The poor thing hardly remembers,’ Sunni said, leaning her head on Elnora’s shoulder.

Elnora remained poised, her eyes utterly blank of any sort of feeling.

‘He is where he belongs.’ Tharin scoffed. Her heart pounded.

Does that mean he is dead?

She felt a sob form in her throat, wanting to come out. But she had to follow through with her plan; Sunni had hinted that the potion Elnora gave her was supposed to make her forget.

Her hospital room had an open window that looked into the hall; she saw the healers dressed in their light blue robes scurrying to a different room. A TV hung in the corner of her room; some show played, but the volume was on mute. Despite the room being crowded with people, she was overwhelmed with loneliness without Kellan at her side. She said a silent prayer to the Trine.

Please keep him safe.

Cuts and wounds littered Tharin’s face, and she remembered the satisfying sight of Kellan unleashing his strength on him.

Kell.

Kellan was taken away by guards. Maybe he wasn’t dead after all but still alone, in likely a dark cell.

And the grimoire—remained stolen. As it was never lost to begin with. Two important people were missing from the room. Her parents were not present. And Bethan wasn’t entirely sure if that was good or bad.

‘We’re so glad you’re okay,’ Agatha said.

She stood from the couch and moved away from Circe. She took two steps and plopped herself down at the edge of the bed. She took Bethan’s hands away from her half-brother and clutched them tightly.

‘Tharin told us everything.’

Sunni leant forward, her eyes narrowed, waiting for Bethan to answer; she hadn’t uttered much since she awoke.

Bethan shook her head.

‘I don’t remember anything,’ she cried.

It didn’t take much for the tears to fall; she would let them think her sadness was because of her lost memories, not the thought of Kellan being alone and abandoned once again. Bethan got what she wanted. Her magic was back, and she had found the grimoire, though not in her grasp, and Kellan—