Chapter 7 #3
Just as we were about to give up and I was ready to return to the kingdom, assuming Cordelia had lied, she materialized before us.
"Time is of the essence," she said, her brown eyes boring into mine. "So let's talk."
As Torin and I faced the powerful witch, I couldn't help but wonder what we'd gotten ourselves into—and what price we would have to pay for my wolf spirit's return.
Torin's eyes narrowed as he stared at Cordelia, his gaze unwavering. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and I could see the inner turmoil brewing within him.
He must have wanted to lash out, to make her pay for all the pain she'd caused me and him, but now that he knew she was my aunt, he held back. The thought of harming my family had him second-guessing his actions.
"Tell me, Cordelia," Torin began, his voice low and tense. "Is helping Anna merely an act of redemption for you? Or are you genuinely interested in her well-being?"
Cordelia chuckled darkly, a sinister smile gracing her lips. "What does it matter to you, Alpha? You're only here because she helped you, right?"
"Maybe a little," Torin said, his voice tinged with frustration. "But mostly, I'm here because I want to see her happy and become who she always wanted to be."
"Ah, so you do care for her," Cordelia mused, tapping her chin with a long, slender finger. "But can you truly put her needs above your own desires? It's easy to say you love someone, but actions speak louder than words."
"Nothing will ever change the way I feel about her." Torin’s jaw set in determination. "I'll do whatever it takes to help her reclaim her wolf spirit, even if it means sacrificing everything I have."
More tightness squeezed around my chest.
"Bold words," Cordelia replied, her dark eyes studying him with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "But are you ready to prove it?"
Torin didn't hesitate, his resolve unwavering. "Yes."
"Very well," Cordelia said, her tone cold and calculating. "Your moment will come soon enough, Alpha."
"My feelings for Anna are real, and nothing can ever change that."
Warmth spread through my body, knowing that Torin was willing to face it all for me—no matter the cost.
"Breanna is Hayden's Queen now. Why don't you leave her alone?"
There was something strange in the witch’s tone. Was she looking out for me?
"Because she's not happy," Torin replied, his voice steady and sincere. "And getting her wolf spirit back is one thing that will make her happy."
Torin can make me happy.
Cordelia's expression softened ever so slightly, and a small smile played on her lips. An unexpected feeling swelled behind my rib cage.
"Very well," she said, her tone still guarded. "I no longer see the point in holding on to my niece's wolf spirit. But I won't release it unless I get something in exchange."
I groaned inwardly but couldn't help feeling hopeful. This could be our chance.
"I want the family athame—the witch ritual knife that can create weapons," Cordelia demanded, her voice firm and unyielding. Her gaze fell on my golden bracelet. “The same one that made your witch whip.”
It was odd that Cordelia hadn't mentioned The Book of Thoradis, which could give her more power than the family athame ever could. But then I remembered—family was everything to her.
She valued the athame more, as it was tied to our bloodline. She would surely use it to create powerful weapons in her vendetta against vampires and werewolves.
My heart raced as I considered the implications of her demand. The athame was a powerful tool, and giving it to Cordelia could have dire consequences.
But looking into Torin's determined eyes, I knew he would do anything to help me.
Torin must have sensed my apprehension because his hand found mine and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He spun around and faced Cordelia, his face carved with resolve.
“Torin?”
He gave my hand another gentle squeeze. “Trust me, Anna.”
With Torin by my side, I felt stronger, and I let go of the doubts that had encased my heart.
"Agreed," I whispered.
"We'll get you the athame,” Torin said.
"Good," Cordelia replied, her smile widening. "The athame is probably in the fairy realm, and only Willa knows where it is. You'll have to ask her for it, but you can’t tell her it’s for me.”
"You want me to lie to the woman who gave birth to me? To meet her for the first time and start our relationship based on deception?" I asked.
She scoffed. "My sister and I are not exactly on talking terms, child. You have three weeks to complete this mission. Three weeks to enter the fairy realm, find the athame, and return it to me. It’s enough time, and you’re capable,” she said.
“I’ll return your wolf spirit now. But if you fail to give me the athame, I'll have no trouble finding you, Breanna.
Your wolf spirit will be mine once again. "
Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she laid out the conditions.
Clenching my fists, I took a deep breath and reluctantly agreed to Cordelia's terms.
The weight of her words settled on my shoulders like chains. I glanced at Torin, his jaw set in a resolute line, eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed into the distance. A faint furrow creased his brow, and his lips pressed together, forming a thin line.
After a moment, he nodded at me, offering silent reassurance. Our fate rested on our success in the fairy realm, a place filled with unknown challenges and dangers.
"Three weeks," I repeated. "I’ll bring you the athame."
“We will,” Torin corrected.
"See that you do," Cordelia said.
Torin was determined to assist me, which meant he would go into the fairy realm with me. The three witches had told me the fairy realm was dangerous and corrupted with dark magic. But when Torin’s amber eyes bore into mine, his fire burned away my doubts and fears.
My gaze traveled to Cordelia.
“Child, are you ready to meet your wolf spirit?”
I couldn’t wait to shift into my animal form—a childhood dream of mine.
Still, I gulped before saying, “More than ever before.”