Madriod's pov

The air crackled around me, heavy with the scent of ozone and burning herbs. I could feel the magic building long before I saw them. The witches were coming, and they weren’t hiding their intentions.

I glanced at Elsie, who was still leaning against the broken wall, pale and trembling from whatever flashback had just consumed her. Mia hovered nearby, her hands twitching like she wanted to help but didn’t know how.

Then I heard a low hum, almost like a swarm of bees, growing louder and louder. The witches.

“Mia,” I barked, straightening up and stepping in front of Elsie. “Stay with her. Don’t let her move.”...