Ritual Preparations

With Masika now at my side, we opened a new portal to the mortal world. I was eager to get this whole thing started and finished, though I knew such things could not be rushed. Masika had a lot of preparation to do, and I had no choice but to let her do what needed to be done.

Showing her the way was easy enough. Although she had no illusionist powers, she was easy enough to transport in her human form. With Masika preparing for the ritual, I had time to see Max alone. He was right where I had left him, unmoving and as beautiful as ever.

I placed my hand as close to his cheek as I could as I whispered, “you’ll be with me again soon. I promise.” There wasn’t anything I could do for him just yet, but I had done what I had set out to do. I found a way to save him, though I still couldn’t be sure how this would all work out.

I could feel my heart pounding against my chest as the anxiety overwhelmed me. I had felt nothing like this in my