Chapter 28
Walking into the witch's cottage, I still hold Chloe safely in my arms. “Lay her down on this table,”
Sukie directs, pointing to a hardwood table with a white cloth over it. I do as she says, and lay Chloe
down then look back to Sukie. "So, what do we do?" I ask, needing some sort of sign this is going to
work. "Are you giving your life for her life?" Sukie questions, with a raised brow. "No, I brought
someone else,” I state, walking out to my car. I open the trunk and pull a bound Evadean out,
throwing her over my shoulder.
I walk back into the house and drop Evadean on the floor. "Here is your life," I say with no emotion and Sukie nods without a word. "Put her in the chair. I have to get my dagger,” She informs me, leaving for the back room. I put Evadean in the chair and met her eyes with a murderous glare, just inches from her face. "You took the one thing from me I would do anything for, so you will bring that back for me," I growl, keeping my features expressionless. Evadean’s eyes go wide in fear, and I grin wolfishly as she realizes the position, she’s in. "Oh, you thought I would spare your life? I owe you nothing, and you are going to hell where you belong," I growl, pulling away when Sukie walks back into the room.
"You need to know that there is a chance it will not work." She explains, as if this was the most natural thing in the world. "I understand,” I nod, eager for her to go ahead and get this over with. Sukie stalks to Evadean and stands behind her, grabbing her hair to pull her head back, exposing her neck. "MMMMMMM," Evadean screams, but the tape is still intact. She squirms, trying to get out of the rope, then looks to me, like she is begging for her life. It ends as quickly as it started when Sukie takes the dagger and slits her throat, sending blood gushing out of the wound. Sukie grabs a jar to gather her blood, then moves across the room. Leaving me to watch her die, but I don't even flinch a muscle or feel an ounce of remorse.
I can hear Sukie mixing something in front of a cabinet and I watch her walk to Chloe's body, slightly opening her mouth to pour small amounts of the mixture in at a time. Once she’s done, the witch turns to me with impassive eyes. "We won't know until morning if it worked.” She states, walking back to her cabinet, closing the doors. "I will wait here with Chloe," I tell her, putting a chair next to Chloe's body. Sukie gives me a thoughtful look. "I helped your father many times, and I know that your wench of a mother deserved what she got," She says, handing me a cup of tea. "Thanks," I say, giving Sukie a slight smile. She nods before walking to the back. I lay my head in Chloe's hand and fall asleep.
Next morning.
I wake up to the sunrise and immediately look at Chloe's face, I see no movement. My anxiety is rising with each passing second. “What if she doesn't wake up? I'd have to live without her." I worry but Sukie walks in. "Morning Wolf," She says, yawning. I glare at her, annoyed for calling me that and how
carefree she is acting. "Why isn't it working?" I question her with irritation. "It takes time for this sort of potion to work. We're talking about bringing someone back to life. It's not like doing a simple spell,” She explains. I glare at the witch, laying my head back in Chloe's hand when I feel her body twitch,
I stand abruptly with wide eyes. "Chloe's body just moved.” I announce, looking at Sukie. She rushes towards me, looking at Chloe and touches Chloe's wrist. "She doesn't have a pulse, Malachi," she tells me. "I know she moved,” I tell the witch frantically, hoping it wasn't just my imagination. "Give it more time and let the potion work," Sukie mutters and I am beyond the point of being impatient. I am desperate. I put my head in my hands, dragging my fingers through my hair as I let out a sigh while I take my seat by her side and take her hand. "Please, Luna, I need you to wake up, Paisley needs you to wake up,” I beg against Chloe's hand.
A few more hours pass, and nothing is happening. My phone rings and I press the green button "Hello?" I answer. "Malachi, where are you?" Paul asks with concern. "I'm taking care of things," I tell him, keeping the details vague, knowing he'd freak out. "Chloe's body was taken from the morgue last night, was it you? What are you up to?" Paul questions with a stern voice. "Look, I'm getting my Luna back, leave me be." I order him and don't let him reply before I hang up.
Sukie joins my side and I look at her, hoping she has a suggestion that could speed this along. "I'm sorry, but I don't think it's working," She says with a soft look and her words crush all my hope. “This can't be it' I think, burying my face in my hands, wanting to cry, when Chloe lets out a loud gasp, like her lungs are searching for air, beside me. I look up, moving to her side in seconds and pull her into a tight hug.
Chloe's POV
I'm forced out of the darkness as my eyes open to find myself in an unfamiliar room. I begin to panic as I struggle to breathe, but the strong familiar arms around me make me feel safe. I look at Malachi in confusion. "What is going on? I question with fear in my eyes. My throat is raspy and dry like I haven't had water in years. "Luna, you're alive!" Malachi declares and hugs me again. I give him a bewildered look. "What do you mean I'm alive?” I ask him, beyond scared now. 'OMG, the last thing I remember is having Paisley and holding her, but then something was wrong." I realize as the memories rush back to me.
I look at Malachi with wide eyes. "Where is Paisley?" I ask, searching the room for any sign of her. Strangely, I feel like my body has been completely revived and healed, almost like I never went through the ordeal of childbirth. "She is fine. Marley has her," he tells me, grabbing my cold hand in his. "I died, didn't I?" I mutter, looking at the strange woman staring at me. "Yeah, your wolf here brought you to me, and here you are," She says with a grin. I stand and look around to see Evadean in a chair with her throat slashed and blood everywhere. "What happened to her?" I ask, looking to Malachi. "Her death brought you back," He says with a smile. "So, you sacrificed your mother to bring me back from the dead?" I ask, glaring at him. "I did what I had to," Malachi tells me, wrapping his hands around my waist.
I look at him for a moment when I suddenly feel my warming body begin to boil, like I'm burning up. "Why am I so hot?" I question, turning to the lady for answers. "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention a minor detail.” She says, biting her nails. "What??!1" Malachi snarls. "You used werewolf blood to save a human life, so for her to stay alive, you need to change her before the next full moon"...