Chapter 21

TWENTY-ONE

N ow was the time to focus on the ritual.

The ancient forest of Whispering Pines was shrouded in darkness, the only light coming from the flickering candles that Mari had carefully arranged in a circle around the clearing. The air was heavy with the scent of sage and rosemary, the sacred herbs she had chosen for their cleansing properties. Mari knelt in the center of the circle, her auburn hair cascading down her back as she etched intricate symbols into the soft earth with a silver athame.

Arden stood at the edge of the clearing, his muscles tense and his eyes scanning the tree line for any sign of danger. Luna and Celeste flanked him, their own magic at the ready. They had insisted on accompanying Mari, refusing to let her face this battle alone. Other members of their coven were scattered throughout the forest, keeping watch for any of Victor's allies who might try to interfere.

As Mari finished her preparations, she rose to her feet, her emerald eyes glinting with determination. She took a deep breath, centering herself as she began to chant the ancient words of the ritual. Her voice was low and steady, each syllable imbued with power.

"By the light of the moon and the strength of the earth, I call upon the forces of nature to hear my plea. Sever the bonds of control, break the chains of domination, and free the minds that have been enslaved."

As she spoke, the candles flickered and danced, their flames growing higher and brighter with each word. The air around Mari began to shimmer and crackle with energy, tiny sparks of lightning dancing across her skin. She could feel the power building within her, a raging tempest that threatened to consume her entirely.

Just as she was about to speak the final words of the incantation, a furious roar echoed through the clearing. Victor burst through the tree line, his eyes blazing with madness and his face contorted with rage.

"You dare to defy me, Marigold?" he bellowed, his voice dripping with venom. "You insignificant nuisance! I made you what you are, and I can destroy you just as easily!"

He raised his hand, energy crackling at his fingertips. Before anyone could react, he slammed his palm against the ground, and a shimmering bubble sprang up around him and Mari, sealing them off from the others. "In fact, I'm going to do just that."

Arden let out a roar and he charged at the barrier. He slammed against it with all his strength, but the magic held firm. Luna and Celeste joined him, their own spells battering against the bubble in a desperate attempt to break through. Mari was stuck inside with Victor. It was her turn to fight him one last time.

Inside the bubble, Victor advanced on Mari, his lips curled in a sneer. "You've caused me enough trouble, Marigold. I will not allow this again. If you won't see that you belong to me, then you are not useful to me. It's time to end this once and for all."

Mari stood her ground, her chin lifted in defiance. "You have no power over me anymore, Victor. I won't let you control me or anyone else ever again."

Victor let out a bark of laughter, cruel and mocking. "You think you can stop me? You're nothing but a weak, pathetic girl who stayed with me because you knew you were nothing without me."

He thrust his hand forward, a blast of dark energy hurtling toward Mari. She reacted instinctively, throwing a shield of her own up. The two spells collided in a blinding flash of light, the force of the impact sending shockwaves rippling through the bubble.

Mari gritted her teeth, pouring all of her strength into maintaining the shield. Victor pressed his advantage, raining down blow after blow, each one more powerful than the last. Mari could feel her energy beginning to wane, her muscles trembling with exhaustion.

Outside the bubble, her friends watched helplessly, their own spells useless against the barrier. Luna closed her eyes, reaching out with her mind to Mari.

"Hold on, Mari," she whispered, her voice echoing through Mari's thoughts. "We're with you. Draw on our strength."

Mari felt a surge of warmth flood through her, the love and support of her friends flowing into her like a lifeline. She drew on their energy, using it to bolster her own flagging reserves.

Victor lunged forward, his hands closing around Mari's throat. "You're weak," he hissed, his breath hot against her face. "You've always been weak. You need me."

For a moment, Mari felt herself falter, the old doubts and fears rising to choke her. But then she remembered the strength of her friends, the love and support that had brought her this far. She was not the same woman she had been. She was stronger now, in every way that mattered.

With a burst of power, Mari threw Victor off of her, sending him sprawling to the ground. She rose to her feet, her eyes blazing with determination.

"I am not weak," she declared, her voice ringing out through the clearing. "I will never let you control me again."

She began to chant once more, the words of the ritual falling from her lips like a battle cry. Victor struggled to his feet, his face twisted with hatred as he tried to summon another spell. But Mari's magic was too strong, the power of the ritual flowing through her like a raging river.

With a final shout, Mari completed the incantation. A blinding light erupted from the center of the circle, engulfing Victor in its radiance. He screamed in agony as the power tore through him, stripping away the barrier separating them from the others.

Victor staggered to his feet, his once immaculate suit torn and dirty, his hair disheveled and wild. His eyes blazed with a frenzied fury as he fixed his gaze on Mari, a snarl twisting his features into a mask of pure hatred. With a guttural roar, he lunged at her, his hands outstretched like claws, ready to tear her apart.

With the magic bubble gone, Arden was able to intervene. In a blur of motion, he leaped in front of Mari, his body shifting in midair as he transformed into his wolf form. His powerful jaws clamped down on Victor's arm, razor-sharp teeth sinking deeply into flesh and bone. Victor howled in pain, his free hand scrabbling at Arden's face, trying to gouge out his eyes.

The two grappled on the forest floor, rolling and thrashing in a tangle of fur and flesh. Arden's claws raked across Victor's chest, drawing blood, while Victor pummeled the wolf with his fists, each blow landing with a sickening thud. Mari watched in horror, her heart in her throat, terrified for Arden's safety.

Arden pinned Victor to the ground, his jaws poised over the warlock's throat. Victor's eyes widened in fear as he realized the end was near. But just as Arden was about to deliver the killing blow, a blinding flash of light filled the clearing, so bright it seemed to sear the very air.

Mari shielded her eyes, squinting against the glare. As the light faded, she saw a group of figures emerge from the woods, their robes swirling around them in a kaleidoscope of colors. She recognized them immediately: the magic council, the governing body that oversaw all supernatural affairs.

The council members surrounded Victor, their faces grim and unforgiving. Mari watched in shock, her heart pounding in her chest. She had always feared the council, knowing their power was absolute. Would they take Victor's side, condemning her for her actions?

But to her surprise, the head councilman stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Victor's prone form. "Victor Sinclair," he intoned, his voice ringing out through the clearing like a bell. "You stand accused of violating our most sacred laws. You have abused your power, using it to control and manipulate others for your own gain. You have brought shame upon our kind, and your actions cannot go unpunished."

Victor struggled to his feet, his face contorted with rage. "You can't do this to me!" he screamed, spittle flying from his lips. "I am Victor Sinclair! I am untouchable!"

The head councilman merely smiled, a cold, mirthless smile that sent shivers down Mari's spine. "No one is above the law, Victor. Not even you."

With a wave of his hand, the councilman stripped Victor of his remaining powers, the warlock's screams of rage turning to whimpers of fear as he felt his magic torn away. He collapsed to his knees, trembling and diminished, a shell of the man he had once been.

But even in his weakened state, Victor's hatred burned bright. With a final, desperate lunge, he threw himself at Mari, his hands grasping for her throat. Mari braced for the impact, but it never came. Arden was there, his wolf form intercepting Victor's attack. His fangs sank deep into the warlock's throat, tearing through flesh and cartilage with sickening ease.

It was over in a matter of seconds. Victor's body slumped to the ground, his eyes staring sightlessly at the canopy of leaves above. Mari stared at him, feeling a strange mix of relief and sorrow wash over her. It really took Victor dying for her to be rid of him. He had been a monster. A sick, controlling man who wanted to keep her under his thumb forever. But forever had come to an end. She had a hard time grasping the enormity of her freedom.

The council turned to Mari, their expressions softening. The head councilman stepped forward, his hand outstretched in a gesture of apology. "Marigold Sinclair," he said, his voice gentle. "We owe you a great debt. You have shown bravery and strength beyond measure, and we are sorry we did not act sooner to stop Victor's reign of terror. Rest assured, we will make sure his followers are dealt with, and that no one else suffers as you have."

Mari nodded, tears streaming down her face. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Arden standing beside her, back in his human form with his clothes intact thanks to the spell she'd placed on him so that whenever he shifted his clothes returned to their original state. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close as she sobbed into his chest.

"You did it, Mari," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You're free."

Mari clung to him, feeling the warmth of his body seep into her own. She had faced her demons and emerged victorious, a survivor in every sense of the word. She knew there would be challenges ahead, scars that would take time to heal, but she also knew she was not alone.

As her friends gathered around her, their faces alight with joy and relief, Mari felt a sense of peace settle over her. She had found her strength, her voice, and her place in the world.

Mari looked up at the stars twinkling overhead, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. For the first time in years, the future seemed full of possibility. She was ready to embrace it with open arms.