POV: Thelma

The moment Marcus's blood touched the ritual circle, I felt everything shift. The dark energy that had been pulling at my life force reversed direction, and suddenly, instead of draining me, it was exploding outward in waves of uncontrolled magic.

"No!" Morgana screamed, her hands raised as she tried to contain the backlash. "NO! This can't be happening!"

But it was happening. Marcus's willing sacrifice, his choice to give his life to save mine, had done something to her spell. Something she hadn't anticipated. Elena's sobs filled the air as she held Marcus's body, rocking back and forth. "You fool," she wept. "You stupid, stubborn fool. Why would...