The End of Magic (The Witches of Echo Park #3)(93)

"I'm sorry for your loss. Both of you," Dev said to Lyse and Daniela, but she didn't look sorry at all.

"Don't be," Daniela said, and Lyse nodded.

"Tell us about the spell," Lyse said, changing the subject.

"Well, the girls and I got the women together and we worked it into being . . . I think it will hold as long as necessary."

It had been Thomas's idea. There was so much magic on this ship, why not use it to fashion a protection spell? So he and Dev had worked to weave a spell that would make the mess hall and everything in it invisible to anyone who meant the women on the ship harm.

"We gave them each a symbol to cast in their minds, and it's working," Thomas said as he came to stand behind Dev.

Daniela was glad to see that the two of them seemed to have put aside their differences and were working together. It was stupid to have any infighting when there were about a hundred armed Flood members roaming the halls.

"Well, you've made it easier for us to take them out without anyone else getting hurt in the crossfire," Jessika said; the gun that was in her hand was sheathed now. "With that said, time for me to go back out there."

"Thank you," Daniela said. "Thanks for looking out for us."

"Let's just say that when this is all over, you and I will figure out a better way to thank me," she said, giving Daniela a wink before she walked away.

Daniela watched until Jessika was gone, but her mind was already working out ways to show her gratitude to the sexy woman with the gun.

"I think she likes you," Niamh said.

Lyse laughed and shook her head at Daniela.

"There's way more than 'like' happening there, Niamh."

"Yes, I would have to agree with Lyse on that front," Thomas said.

I seriously hope Lyse is right about that, Daniela thought, but she didn't weigh in.

Daniela could feel the spell working all around them-it gave a sharp, metallic taste to the air.

"So what? We just hang out here until Jessika and the Eagles take everyone out?" Daniela asked.

"That's it exactly," Lyse said. "You guys stay here. I think you have it well in hand."

"Does that mean you're going now?" Dev asked, her eyes welling with tears.

"Yeah," Lyse said. "I think it does."

"Don't go!" Ginny said, clambering out of her seat and throwing herself at Lyse's waist. "Marji says you might die. Don't die, please."

Marji was still sitting at the table, but her head was down and she looked like she was crying. Dev went over to her older daughter and knelt beside her.

"What's wrong? What's happened, Marji?"




       
         
       
        
But Marji just shook her head, tears falling down her cheeks and onto the tabletop.

"Baby, tell me-"

Thomas came to stand on Marji's other side.

"Why don't you let me?" he said to Dev.

"Well, I-"

"Let him, Dev," Daniela said. She'd seen the way Marji looked at Thomas. Maybe her hero worship would get her talking.

Dev nodded and stood back up, letting Thomas have a moment with her daughter. She sat down in one of the chairs and pulled Ginny onto her lap.

Daniela watched as Thomas inclined his head toward Marji.

"It can't be that bad. Why don't you whisper it in my ear?"

Marji shook her head no.

"Please?" Thomas continued. "It's always better to say it out loud. Takes the power of it away."

Marji thought for a moment, and then she leaned over and whispered in his ear. He nodded, listening.

"I see," he said, nodding again.

When she was done, he stood back up and laid his hand on her shoulder.

"It's hard to know these things, my dear. But sometimes we are forced to bear things we think will break us."

He kissed Marji on the top of the head.

"You did beautifully," he added. "Now go give Lyse a hug and tell her that you love her."

Slowly, Marji climbed to her feet.

"I'm sorry, and don't die," she cried, and ran to Lyse, burying her face in Lyse's waist.

"It's okay," Lyse said, stroking the girl's hair. "You know that this isn't the end . . ." Lyse continued, but Marji pulled away, looking up at her.

"I know it's not," she said, in between hiccupping tears. "I love you, Lyse."

She wouldn't say any more after that, just held on for a moment longer and then went to join Ginny and Dev. The moment passed, but it had made Daniela feel very, very sad.


• • •

Lyse hadn't asked Thomas to tell her what Marji had said to him. She didn't seem to want to know.