Wolf Woes

Chapter 17: Malivore

Hope, Josie, Penelope, and Lizzie stood on the landing overlooking the Malivore pit watching as the witches prepared for the spell. Freya looked up at them, the crystal that was acting as the bomb in her hand. "I'm ready for you."

Hope nodded, then led Josie and Lizzie down the stairs to her aunt. They were careful not to disturb the witches quietly chanting to themselves and drawling symbols on the cement floor.

Freya held the large egg-shaped crystal out for Hope to take. "You know the drill. Just make sure you don't drain yourself this time. We need you to have magic to help fight anything Malivore might send our way."

Hope nodded her head and sat down on the floor in front on Freya. She crossed her legs and rested her hands on them at the cross. She closed her eyes and whispered, "Magicae translatio." Her hands began glowing yellow, as the swirling golden cloud inside the crystal began circling, welcoming the magic Hope was giving it, mixing it with the magic that was already trapped within.

She felt the magic seep from her, and just as she felt like there was no more to give, her eyes snapped open and she gasped, "Prohibere." The gold cloud slowed to a slow-moving swirl as Hope handed the crystal back to Freya.

Lizzie went next, repeating the same process as Hope, although she didn't have as much magic as Hope to give. It only took her a few minutes to transfer her magic to the crystal.

Josie took her sister's place and repeated the same process. Only this time it felt different to her. The rush of power flowing out of her was intense and unlike anything she felt before. The previous time she had done this it was like a slow trickle of power seeping from her, similar to how she feels when she siphons. It felt different this time. Like someone had opened the tap and the power was flowing out of her on full blast. There was also more magic in her than she believed. Definitely more than the previous times she transferred her magic.

Her eyes snapped open and she gasped, "Prohibere." She closed her eyes again and gave herself a moment to regain her magic.

"Are you okay, Josie?" Freya asked. She knelt down in front of her with a concerned look on her face.

"I'm fine," Josie said and then opened her eyes. "It was just different this time."

Hope knelt down behind her and place her left hand on her shoulder. "What do you mean?"

"The magic rushed out of me this time. Usually it's like a trickle."

"You were at it for longer than usual too," Freya noted, a touch of concern in her tone. "Do you still have magic in your reservoir?"

"Yeah," Josie said. "I actually feel like I'm still full."

"But you put so much in," Lizzie commented. "Almost as much as Hope did."

Freya took the crystal from Josie. "Maybe is has to do with the bond. You might be able to pull magic from Hope." The bracelet around Freya's wrist turned red. "Looks like its time. You girls go and be safe."

"We will."

"I love you. Always and forever." She leaned forward and kissed Hope on the forehead.

"I love you too Auntie. Always and forever."

They made their way through the empty building, and out the front entrance, the only access point that hadn't been spelled shut. The rest of their group was standing around. Alaric and Kaleb were standing together far away from the two of the wolves from the bayou were already wolfed out, while Raf was standing awkwardly next to Keelin in nothing but his boxers, staring up at the full moon.

"I take back what I said earlier," Penelope commented. "Dog boy can share my bed anytime he wants."

"He is good in bed," Lizzie agreed.