Chapter Twenty-One: Close Call

Edira's Pov

"There must be something we are missing here," I mused, glancing over the ocean. I could see Baldo nod and sigh in the corner of my eye.

Marise had been gone for weeks, and my hope sank daily. I felt like the biggest failure.

How could this happen? We were so careful.

I finally thought everything was going to be okay.

"It's not your fault, you know. Stop blaming yourself." Baldo mumbled, and I felt his hand on my arm.

"I know that in my heart, but my mind tells me otherwise... I was so close to getting to her... But I just let her slip away. I don't understand how he got her. Marise would never run to him willingly."

Baldo's eyes narrowed, and then he stood up quickly,

"There is one spell that can let you take over other beings' will and power, but only a powerful witch could do that. And it would require the use and knowledge of black magic." Baldo clenched his jaw, and I felt my heart drop.

"So Orfeo must have had a witch with him? And knowing Orfeo... It can't be