Exactly, she cackled.
My wolf struggled to keep our magic away from her, trying to yank it back, but it had become slippery and cold, like everything else in my body, and there was no place to take it. My stomach heaved. Suddenly I was on my side retching, expelling everything from my body.
That’s right, Marinette said. All of your body functions will be laid to waste one by one. I will have no need of them.
I shivered, my teeth clattering. The yellow masses in my thigh began to change. I could see the poison pooling in my mind. It had become fluid, like thick amber flowing through me. This was her magic—her signature. As it moved, it attached itself to everything. I could no longer see my own magic. Can you intercept it? I asked my wolf. She howled her anger and frustration.
You cannot. You are not stronger than your creator, my child. Marinette’s voice was harsh. My magic defines you, defines all wolves. Your magic comes to me naturally. It yearns for its master. It matters not that it is muddled with others’ signatures. That will be a bonus to me once I inhabit your body, but it is of no consequence.
I gulped for air. My lungs were shutting down. I couldn’t fight this. It was different from anything else I’d come in contact with in my life. I wasn’t going to be able to blow this up or knock her out. My brain was starting to get hazy. Marinette was succeeding and I was slowly losing control of all my faculties. My wolf yelped, urging me to do something—try anything. She was battling to keep Marinette back, but we had very little power left.
Then I felt it. My hand was vibrating.
I could barely detect it, but something was needling my senses, making me aware. I hadn’t let the cell phone drop from my hands. Juanita was trying to get my attention.
The Hag cannot help you now, Marinette said. She is too late and this is proof that the Fates can be changed. I will be living proof.
My mind was growing more and more muddled as Marinette’s anger whipped through me. The beeping continued, but I couldn’t find the strength to lift my lids.
My arm began to shake.
I was still on my side from when I had emptied my stomach, and with insurmountable effort I forced my eyes open. I couldn’t see anything at first. I concentrated on clearing my vision, but I realized there was a thick coating of film covering them. Everything looked milky.
You can try all you like, Marinette said. Whatever she is trying to tell you is inconsequential.
I ignored the loa. I couldn’t access my magic, but I still had some scant power left. I pushed it into my eyes, forcing myself to focus. I squinted at the phone but could only make out a blur. “Make it bigger!” I yelled into the air, my vocal cords failing at the end like ice had frozen them solid. My teeth chattered hard.
I finally caught sight of one word.
TAKE
“Take what?” I whispered, barely getting the words out.
What is she talking about? I asked my wolf. What does she mean by take?
She is grasping at straws, Marinette answered before my wolf could. It will be over soon, don’t you worry.
I had to do something. I couldn’t just die here without a fight.
My body wouldn’t move any longer at my command, so I did the only thing I could think of—I tried to distract her and buy us some time to figure out what Juanita wanted us to do. If she was still reaching out to me, that meant there was a way out. Why are you doing this? I asked Marinette.
Instead of words, I began to perceive a clear image of Marinette in my mind. That’s right. I was glorious and will be again very soon.
She was in fact glorious. Long blonde hair billowed out behind her as she stood atop a rocky crag, dressed in a gown of what appeared to be spun gold. Her features were feminine and linear, her eyes the purest blue. She was beautiful.
Why were you killed? I asked groggily. I thought immortals couldn’t die.
That’s not important.
I beg to differ, I said. It’s the reason I’m lying here right now. You were an immortal goddess and you died. Because of that, you are seeking revenge. I feel your bitterness and your rage like it was my own. This involves me. You’re taking what’s mine and I have the right to know.
I felt her impersonal shrug, like it wasn’t my business, but who cared if I knew. Fate deemed I was no longer fit to be a goddess, so the Hags stripped me of my form, but try as they might, they could not take my soul.