Chapter 534

My mind raced through all the runes I could remember. I only saw a portion of the rune on Vince’s arm, but it was distinct enough to narrow it down. The rune appeared circular at the bottom, but a clef-like shape at the base reminded me of a sickle.

A pit formed in my stomach as my mind whirled. What could it be? I closed my eyes to focus on the shape, trying to match it to a rune. But I couldn't. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and my hands trembled. My eyes darted back and forth as my mind raced. Something felt wrong, so I snapped my eyes open and looked at Rowan. He was mid-conversation with Vince. My panic had broken the connection to my spell; I could no longer hear them. I stepped forward, but hesitated.

“Calm yourself, little one,” a soft voice whispered in my ear. “Don’t speak. Only you can hear me. You’re panicking because you’re worried about your mate. I understand. But rushing through your runes will lead to mistakes. Rushing your magic, or letting panic cloud your focus, could kill you.” My grandmother’s hand rested on my arm. “Settle yourself. Slow down. Take a few deep breaths.” She paused as I did. “Good. Now try again. Start at the beginning. Which rune fits what you’re looking for?”

I looked around, but she wasn't there. I created a sound bubble to speak to her. “I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do,” her soft voice reached me, calming my racing thoughts. “That’s it, my girl. Calm your thoughts. Consider the options. What rune could it be?”

The options flashed through my mind. Strength didn't fit; it lacked the bottom curve. Poison was closer, but lacked the cross. The death rune had the sickle shape, but again, no rounded bottom. “Grandma, I can’t find it.” I turned to Rowan, watching as he tried to pull his hand away from Vince, who held it firm. “Why won’t he let Rowan go?”

“Runes need time to set. He’s trying to ensure his intent is burned into your mate’s skin. But that doesn't matter. What matters is his intent. What is he trying to do?” Her voice remained soft, but a hint of urgency underlay her words.

Instead of panicking, I took another deep breath, continuing to search. Finally, a rune clicked into place. Subdue. “The rune is subdue.”

My grandmother’s voice was closer. “And why would Vince want to subdue Rowan?”

“I don’t know.” She made a sound, and I knew she was regarding me with exasperation.

“Come now, girlie. Lycans are different from wolves. They’re more resistant to poisons like wolfsbane, but more vulnerable to silver. They’ve chosen silver; they know more than they should. Lycans never reveal their weaknesses.” She moved closer. “Silver weakens a Lycan, depending on the amount. It can even kill them in large doses. But there’s one thing it can’t stop. Unlike wolves, Lycans always retain their ability to… what? Think back to our book and what I wrote.”

I recalled the Lycan page, the half-human, half-wolf form, and the words around the drawing. “His shifting.” My head snapped to Rowan, and it all clicked. “Vince poisoned him with silver to weaken him, and he’s using runes to stop his shifting, making him easier to kill when they attack.”

“Exactly,” she sighed. “Now, how do you protect your mate while sticking to the plan?” She sounded like a proud parent whose child had finally solved a problem.

“Remove the rune and break the bond, like I did with the others…”

“Or?”

“Or what? That’s the only way I know how to break a rune.”

“There’s another way. It’s more dangerous, and requires more power. You’re gambling on being the stronger witch.” I felt her hand squeeze my arm. “Tell me, my love… are you the stronger witch?”