A plan began to crystallize in my mind, the blueprint of a spell taking shape with a clarity I couldn’t ignore. I tapped into the well of magic coursing through me, a rush of power so potent it was nearly overwhelming. Like waves crashing against a sandy shore, the energy surged forward, bringing with it the taste and scent of the sea. It flowed down my torso and into my legs before pulsing outward into the water.
For a fleeting moment, the water stilled, its surface eerily flat.
Then, all at once, every droplet lifted from the fountain. The roar of the water was deafening, as it churned and coalesced into a single, savage wave. With unrelenting force, the wave slammed into Enrico’s chest, carrying him clear of the fountain.
He soared five feet beyond its edge, the wave propelling him further into the park until he collided with the sturdy base of a tree. Water cascaded in all directions, soaking the ground beneath him.
“That was incredible, Ella!” Enrico’s voice rang out from where he lay, a good fifteen feet away. He raised his fists triumphantly. “You’ve got to teach me that!”
I stumbled slightly, my strength momentarily drained, and felt the cool, steadying touch of Leonardo’s hand on my arm.
Are you alright? His thoughts brushed against mine like a gentle caress. I can tell you’ve used a lot of energy.
I’m fine, I replied, though my voice wavered in my mind. I haven’t had much practice with water magic. It just… poured out of me. At least I know I can’t hurt you with it.
It felt wrong, didn’t it? His chuckle warmed me, but whatever he planned to say next was interrupted by Carlo’s sudden approach.
He stormed toward us, Sofia and Emiliano trailing close behind. Carlo’s phone was pressed to his ear, and Laura’s frantic voice carried clearly through the receiver.
“Alright-alright, we’re coming,” Carlo stammered, his frown deepening. “Yes, of course Ella’s coming. Just calm down, Laura. We’ll be there soon.”
“Another attack?” I asked, glancing at Sofia and Emiliano, who exchanged uneasy looks.
“No,” Carlo said, his tone sharp. “Laura has magic too.”
The ride back to the house was short but tense, the air thick with unspoken fears. Laura’s panic echoed in my mind, and Carlo’s words lingered. How could she possibly come to terms with having Fae magic, especially after everything? She’d been taken from her home, thrust into a pack of rogues, and manipulated by the Fae. Now, to possess their magic must feel like the cruelest irony.
When we arrived, my fears were confirmed.
Laura sat curled on the porch swing, staring blankly toward the driveway. She didn’t move as Carlo climbed out of the vehicle, but the moment I stepped out, she stumbled to her feet.
My gaze swept across the front yard, taking in the transformation. What had once been a plain lawn bordered by a privacy fence was now a wild, flourishing garden. Clusters of roses and colorful blooms covered the ground, while orange-laden bushes and young fruit saplings sprouted as if they’d always been there.
“These weren’t here before,” Enrico muttered, his tone faintly awed.
It was chaos-a garden born of Fae and wolf magic, untamed and vibrant.
Laura descended the porch steps, her hands trembling as she stopped in front of me. Her wide eyes darted nervously, and I felt Leonardo’s steady presence at my back. He stayed close but gave her enough space, prepared to intervene if she lashed out.
Don’t be so intimidating, I told him softly, noting Laura’s terror. She’s scared, not angry.
“I tried to be nice to you,” Laura said shakily, her voice raw. She clenched her trembling hands at her sides, forcing herself to speak. “I knew you and Carlo were friends before… before you dated, so I stayed out of it. I gave you space. Then you left, and everything was fine. But now he’s back, always here to help you. And then-then you go and turn him into this. And me…”
She stumbled back as thin green tendrils emerged from the ground, thickening into stalks that burst with brightly colored petals. She retreated to the porch stairs, flowers blooming in her wake.
Guilt rose within me, sharp and suffocating, but I refused to let it weaken me. I had made my choice in a moment of desperation, and I would live with the consequences. But there was a war on the horizon, and I couldn’t afford to crumble under the weight of regret. If there was a way to remove the magic I’d given her, I’d find it-after both realms were safe.
“How do I make it stop?” Laura whispered, her voice breaking. She cringed as more flowers sprouted at her feet.
“You need to calm down,” I said gently, my tone firm but not unkind. “The stronger your emotions, the more your magic will respond.”
“This isn’t my magic!” she cried, her voice rising in desperation. “You infected me with this-this thing! Take it back. I don’t want anything to do with it!”
Leonardo’s icy voice cut through her tirade, sharp and unyielding. “Isabella acted to protect you and everyone else there. From where I stood, you were cowering under a table with a pregnant Luna. Instead of accusing her, consider what might have happened if she hadn’t intervened-especially since your mate now shares her kind’s magic.”
Laura paled under his cold gaze, her bravado crumbling. Carlo’s expression was a mix of anger and hurt, torn between defending his mate and grappling with her words.
Magic had a way of embedding itself into your soul, making you feel invincible and deeply connected to the world. Even those forced to wield it often found it hard to reject completely. It brought strength and purpose, a sense of completeness they hadn’t known before.
But Laura’s fear ran deeper. As her shoulders slumped and an apology wavered on her lips, I began to understand.
Her connection to the earth, the life that bloomed wherever she stepped, was rooted in her compassion-a strength forged through pain. Whatever horrors her past held, they hadn’t destroyed her. Her magic reflected her inner light, her endless capacity for good.
“I didn’t mean-” Laura stammered, her gaze darting to Carlo. “Oh, Carlo. I’m so sorry. It’s just… I’ve seen Fae magic before, and it’s not always beautiful. Sometimes, it’s… horrible.”