"She is harmless," Samantha insisted. "Our magick is pure."
"I don't want her to hear another word." Kai pointed to Holly and then focused on Ilsbeth. She gripped Jake's forearm, drawing strength from him. "As for her. Zella or whatever you are calling her. She owes me a spell. A debt was paid to her. She did not keep her word. This is a breach of contract on behalf of her and the coven."
"As you wish." Samantha nodded to Holly, who glared at Kai. She did as she was told, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
Jake glanced at Kai, catching her gaze. No words spoken, she could sense he was taken aback at her demand. The slight smile in his eyes gave his approval.
"We must get the spell from her. I don't know if she's faking it or not," Kai continued, regaining her determination.
"I can assure you she isn't. You saw her, Jake. She was practically dead when you found her," Samantha interrupted.
"With all due respect Samantha, I feel your power. I sense your strength. Obviously you're leading this coven, but I've known Ilsbeth much longer than you have. Assuming she isn't faking it, that doesn't prove her magick is completely gone. Even if you cannot sense it, I might. And if it is there, I may be able to feed off her energy. I cannot be certain but we must try," Kai pleaded.
"Even if you sense anything, she has no recollection of her existence. She is simply Zella."
"Take her hand," Kai told her.
Samantha gave an audible sigh, and her lips pursed in irritation.
"Just do it, Samantha. I don't know if this is even going to work. But if I'm as powerful as everyone thinks I am, I might be able to jump start her."
"Yeah, I'm not sure that's a good thing," Jake commented.
"It's the only way. We have no choice," Kai said.
"Some days I wish I'd left her in the woods."
"Just take her hand," Kai insisted. "Zella, assuming you are not Ilsbeth, you would want to help me, right? I'm in great danger. The person you don't remember, she was a great witch."
"I'm willing to try but there is nothing. The witches have tested me every way they know."
Kai noted that Ilsbeth fingered her short hair, playing with the ends as if her muscle memory recalled the long locks that once flowed over her shoulders.
"I sense no magick but I have been on the receiving end of your deception. For all I know, this is all a spell," Jake said.
"Perhaps," Quintus agreed.
"I have nothing to hide. You may try." Zella extended her hands.
Kai stood, and Jake grabbed her arm, stilling her movement. "Are you sure ya want to do this, sweetheart? I don't sense any danger but it's like I just said, this could all be an illusion."
"I need to try." Kai gave him a small smile. "Will you stay with me?"
"Wild horses couldn't tear us out of here." His eyes went to Quintus, who nodded. "We're not goin' anywhere."
Kai slid past Jake, pleased that the Alpha refused to leave her side. As she sat on the coffee table in front of Ilsbeth, her heart pounded in her chest. It was likely it wouldn't work. She could barely control the infinite energy that spun inside of her, let alone direct it. And while she prayed to the Goddess that Samantha was a good witch, she had no experience with her.
"You ready?" she asked Samantha, who nodded.
Kai locked her eyes on Ilsbeth, and placed her palm against hers. A faint tingle danced on her skin but she couldn't discern whether it was Samantha or Ilsbeth.
"Am I supposed to feel anything?" Ilsbeth asked, looking to Samantha. "I don't think this is working."
"Be quiet and concentrate," Kai scolded. Closing her eyes, she reached within, calling on her beast, demanding she release energy into Ilsbeth. Anger coursed through her as she recalled how her sister had been kidnapped. The witch owed a debt. If she would not give it willingly, Kai would tear it from her.
"I don't think it's … " Ilsbeth began. As if hit with a jolt of electricity, she seized, her eyes glazing over in a crimson hue.
Kai sensed Samantha's resistance, and assumed the witch had sealed the connection so that all energy would filter through Ilsbeth. Silence. No, no, no. Disappointment flooded her, but she held tight to the witch.
"Don't let go … don't let go … " Kai's words rambled until a soft voice broke her concentration.
"The wolf shall bind you."
"What?" Kai's eyes flew open and her attention went to Samantha, who stared blindly ahead, as if in a daze.
"The wolf shall bind you," Samantha stated with no emotion.
"I need a spell," Kai said.
"Must find the Kris. Your blood is his blood. In that you will hide," the witch repeated.