Chapter 63 - Flight is Better Than Fight

Violet.

The tall woman's icy gaze swept over us. She did not look pleased. In fact, she looked downright scary as if she loved to do evil in the dark.

Under her dark assessing eyes, my legs turned to jelly. Even the constant knocking of my knees ceased. No one dared to speak.

"Who let you in here?" she snarled, her voice a lot louder than it needed to be.

I looked around, my heart pounding in my chest. Several witches and warlocks had turned their attention toward us, their eyes narrowed and unwelcoming.

Javid leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear. "Vi, those guys who attacked me at Pebble Quarry... they're here."

My eyes darted to two men standing near the entrance, not in robes, but in motorcycle jackets. They looked like they could crush us without an ounce of remorse.

A shiver ran down my spine. The danger we were in had just multiplied tenfold.

David stepped forward, his hood slipping slightly. He squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. "Hey, we heard something big was going down, so we came to check it out."

The tall woman scrutinized David, a smirk playing on her lips. She turned and beckoned to a man in her group. He jogged over, his eyes widening in recognition. "Javid, is that you?"

Run!" Sam yelled, his voice cracking with fear as the hooded figure on the stage turned toward us.

We didn't need any more encouragement. Panic surged through our group like electricity, and we bolted toward the woods surrounding the covenstead.

My heart pounded in my chest as I sprinted through the trees, my lungs burning. It was too much to hope that no one would follow us, and I pushed myself harder as the sound of footsteps grew louder behind us.

"Come on!" David shouted, panting. "We have to move faster!"

Easier said than done, I thought, my legs feeling like lead. I glanced over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of the hooded figures chasing us.

Jasmine screamed, "Sam, do something!"

Sam panted, "I'm trying! There are no clouds! I can't control the lightning!"

Javid grabbed my hand, pulling me forward. "Don't look back, Vi. Just keep running."

We dodged branches and leaped over fallen logs, desperate to put distance between ourselves and the covenstead group. When the noise of our pursuers faded slightly, David skidded to a stop and turned around.

"Form up!" David shouted. "We need to transport out of here, now!"

I nodded, gasping for breath. Fergus handed off Kiki to Jasmine, and they disappeared in a flash of light. Sam was about to grab my hand when David pushed him aside. "I've got Javid and Violet. You help Fergus and Mimi."

Marla glared at him, "Dude, it's Marla for the millionth time. When are you ever going to remember my name?"

Sam didn't waste any time. In a matter of seconds, they were gone, Marla's curse fading into the night.

That left only David, Javid, and me behind.

I gripped Javid and David's hands tightly as we prepared to transport back to Weber Falls. Our breathing was ragged, and sweat dripped down our faces. The sound of movement just beyond our hiding place grew louder.

"Come on, David!" Javid urged, his voice barely above a whisper. "Focus!"

David's brow furrowed, his eyes squeezed shut. "I'm trying, man! It's not working!"

I glanced over my shoulder, my heart sinking as I saw the hooded figure emerge from the woods. His face was twisted into a snarl, and his eyes glowed with malice. "Guys, we need to go now!"

Just as the words left my mouth, a bolt of magic hurtled towards us, aimed directly at David.

"No!" I screamed, throwing myself in front of him.

The magical attack slammed into me, sending a searing pain through my body. I cried out, my vision blurring.

"Vi!" Javid shouted, his grip on my hand tightening.

I felt a strange sensation wash over me, like I was being pulled apart and put back together again. The world around us shimmered and then disappeared, replaced by the familiar streets of Weber Falls.

Right outside of Mildred's coffee shop.

I could use something to perk me up. But coffee wasn't going to cut it.

It was all I could do to lay on the cold, hard ground, my body wracked with pain. The magical attack had taken its toll, and I could feel myself growing numb...

"Vi!" Javid cried, dropping to his knees beside me. "No, no, no! This can't be happening!"

David stood frozen, his face pale and his eyes wide with shock. "Vi... come on..."

Javid whirled on him, his eyes blazing with fury. "You did this. You put us all in danger! She begged you to leave, but would you listen?"

"I was just trying to protect everyone," David argued, his voice trembling.

"Protect everyone? You couldn't even protect Violet!" Javid shouted.

I coughed, tasting blood on my tongue. "Guys... please... don't fight."

Running feet approached from the street, and before I could wonder if it was friend or foe, Sam knelt beside me, his hands shaking as he checked my pulse. "We need to get her help, now."

Jasmine stepped forward, "I'll get Mildred!"

Fergus wrapped an arm around Kiki, who was sobbing quietly. "We should have never gone to that gathering."

"You think?" Javid snapped, his attention still focused on David. "If it wasn't for your stupid idea, none of this would have happened!"

David flinched, his shoulders sagging. "I'm sorry, Vi. I'm so sorry."

I reached out, my fingers brushing against Javid's hand. "It's not... your fault," I whispered.

Darkness was closing in, and my vision was narrowing to a pinpoint.

Javid's anger seemed to dissipate, replaced by a deep, aching sadness. He took my hand, holding it tightly. "Stay with me, Vi. Please, just stay with me."

As the world around me began to fade, I heard the distant sound of Mildred saying, "Make way, make way." The last thing I saw before the darkness claimed me was the anguished faces of my friends, their voices echoing in my mind.