Chapter 74 The Exorcism
Amara’s POV
It was as though the walls were holding their breath because of how heavy the air felt within the old hall. In the middle, Mira stood with her staff blazing dimly. She had used silver dust to design odd glyphs on the floor, each one gleaming in the flickering candles.
"Remain silent, everyone," Mira commanded. Her hands shook, but her voice was steady. "The Witch has a powerful spirit. She will take Amara entirely if we make even one mistake.
As Rowan and Kian led me into the circle, my chest hurt. My skin prickled as though something inside of me was trying to crawl out, and I felt cold all over.
Mira... I said, "I'm not sure if I can do this."
Mira looked directly into my eyes. "You can. You have to. This battle is as much yours as ours.
Kian knelt next to me and held my hand. His tone was steady and quiet. "Amara, we're with you. Whatever occurs.
Behind me, Rowan stood erect, his jaw clenched, his eyes keen. "The Witch will not prevail. Not while I'm still breathing.
The marks on the ground grew brighter as Mira lifted her staff. The air was filled with a low buzz that seemed like a thousand whispers speaking simultaneously. Shadows danced over the walls as the flames flared furiously.
The voices then became irate.
"Do you sense that?" I let out a gasp. I could hear the Witch laughing within my thoughts as the ground trembled beneath me.
"Yes," Mira said, perspiration trickling down her brow. "She is retaliating."
Some of the candles were extinguished when an arctic breeze suddenly blew through the hall. Species whirled around us, tearing at the atmosphere. Their lips were open in wordless cries, and their eyes were hollow.
In a second, Rowan had his sword in his hand. "Evils," he snarled. "She is calling them."
"No! Avoid using steel to fight them! Mira yelled. "Remain within the circle. You lose everything if you break it!
The spirits swooped down, their icy fingers grazing my flesh, and Kian pulled me closer. "Remain with me, Amara. Don't be afraid of them.
However, the Witch's mocking voice became stronger in my mind. "You believe you can eject me? I've become a part of you. You will shatter, young girl.
Clinging to my head, I let out a cry. "She's inside! She is too powerful!
A pulse of light swept across the circle as Mira slammed her staff against the ground. The ghosts screamed and flinched.
"Remain on the line!" Mira yelled. "This is just the start."
The voices persisted. As they swirled around me like a storm, they became louder and angrier. I felt as though I was drowning in darkness, and the air had a bloody and smoky stench.
"Kian… Rowan…" I trembled when I spoke. "Don't let me leave."
Rowan put a hard hand on my shoulder. "We won't."
Kian's hold became firmer. "Never."
My body trembled as the ritual's light encircled me more tightly while the Witch laughed once more, louder this time.
The actual conflict was just getting started.
The circle's light intensified till it became painful for me to keep my eyes open. I felt like I was being pulled in different ways by invisible chains while my body jolted uncontrollably. My throat was raw as I yelled.
"Retain her!" Mira yelled.
Kian and Rowan moved at once. Kian pinned my arms, and Rowan put his powerful hands on my shoulders. Their warmth against me was palpable, yet it was insufficient to stave off the cold that was gnawing at me.
"Remain with us, Amara!" Rowan barked. His voice sliced like steel through the confusion.
"She's unravelling!" Kian's voice was filled with panic.
Through me, the Witch's harsh, deep voice spoke. "You believe your techniques will bind me? I own this gal!
Uncontrollably, my lips twitched and spat forth her words. The world went red, and my eyes burned.
"Amara, fight her!" Kian pleaded. "Refrain from using your voice. Keep her from winning!
"I'm trying!" I choked. I felt like my entire body was on fire, and my back arched.
Mira's staff glowed brighter as her chanting became louder. The silver dust swirled about me, rising into the air like tiny stars. However, the Witch's shrieks became louder with every stanza she uttered, causing the walls to tremble.
"Stop her!" the Witch growled in my throat. "Or I'll tear this body to pieces!"
Rowan's voice was calm and low as he leaned near my ear. "Amara, I recognise you. She is weaker than you. You've confronted death before, and each time you came out on top. Repeat.
Kian's eyes gleamed in agony as his forehead brushed against mine. "I fall if you fall. Amara, fight. Please.
My face started to well up with tears. Their voices served as moorings that prevented me from being carried away.
However, my body trembled more violently as the Witch shrieked through me. I had impaired eyesight, and blood was dripping from my nose.
"Enough!" Mira yelled. The hall was flooded with a dazzling light as she slammed her staff down again.
The air shook as the Witch's voice howled through my mouth. Shouting, the ghosts dispersed like ash in the wind.
Then I sensed it. I feel like chains are breaking inside of me.
“NO!” cried the Witch. Her angry, piercing voice reverberated around the room.
With my heart pounding and my body shaking, I coughed. "She's—she's going!"
"Hold her tight!" Mira shouted. "She hasn't left yet!"
As my body trembled uncontrollably, Rowan and Kian pressed me down. The Witch's screams scorched my throat, yet her strength was waning.
The last roar followed. As the Witch's spirit tore from me like a black shadow, a spine-tingling scream echoed through the hall.
The air became extremely frigid. Above us, the shadow contorted into a terrible face with its mouth wide open in wrath.
“I’LL BE BACK!” the Witch cried. The ground trembled under her voice. "You can't keep me out forever!"
Then—she disappeared.
The ensuing quiet was dreadful and oppressive. I lay on the floor, drenched in sweat, my body weak, my chest heaving. Kian and Rowan held on tight, as though they were worried I would disappear if they did.
Mira's staff, however, continued to light dimly. She said, her voice trembling, her face pallid:
It's not over yet. She's not defeated, but she's out of the game.
I felt a chill go down my back. I was aware of her correctness. The witch had left. But I could still hear her vow to come back.
The actual conflict was only getting started.