It’s because of me she’s—” I stopped when I spotted Merl crossing the field.
“Everyone except for the Sentinels, go back to your rooms.” Merl shooed the crowd and rushed to the tree. “Go on. Do as I say.” He dropped to his knees in front of Faith and lifted her chin. “She’s still alive,” he called out. “Someone, fetch me the cutters.”
I struggled to get loose from Arik’s arms, but he tightened his grip. “Stay here. There’s nothing you can do. You’ll only be in the way.”
Jaran returned with the chain cutters. While Merl held up a section of links, Jaran chopped at them. Sparks flew out from the impact.
“It won’t budge.” Jaran dropped the tool to the ground. “It’s charmed.”
Faith moaned and shook her head. “Leave me!” she howled like an injured animal.
Veronique pulled her sword from its scabbard and swung it at the chain. The blade connected with the links, chiming as loud as a church bell, but still it held tight. She stumbled against the force. “What ‘as you?”
Merl glanced at the horizon. The purple sky had turned a dark pink, announcing the arrival of the sun. “Who did this to you?” he asked.
“I did this to me.”
“Why?”
“Leave me. He’s compelling me. I’m to kill you and Gia. I can’t. I refuse to hurt you, Merl. And it’s my duty to protect Gia. Let me die.”
“Someone wants to kill Merl and Gia?” Veronique asked. “Why?”
I pulled from Arik’s grasp and ran to Merl’s side. “Who’s compelling you?” I choked out.
“I didn’t see…he was cloaked.” Faith lifted her gaze to me. “I’m so sorry about scaring you in the corridor.”
“That was you?” The memory of Faith hiding in the drapes in my room flashed in my mind.
“These are my charmed shackles.” Merl turned to the Sentinels. “Demos, go and retrieve the keys from my office.”
“He won’t find them,” Faith said weakly as Demos bolted back to the castle. “They’re hidden.” A fierce look passed over her face, and she bared her teeth.
I stumbled back. “What’s happening to her?”
“She’s lost her will against the compulsion,” Arik said.
“Someone take Gia to her room,” Merl said. “Veronique, give me your sword.”
“I’ll take ‘er.” Veronique gave him her sword and grabbed me.
“No. Wait.” She yanked my arm, but I didn’t budge. “What are you going to do?”
“It’s an act of mercy.” Merl’s voice cracked, and he cleared his throat before continuing. “I cannot reverse the charm on the shackles without the key. We can’t chop the tree down. It’s too thick. If we use magic…fire or lightning…we’d certainly kill her.” Merl glanced at me. “Faith is like a daughter to me. I don’t want her to suffer. Dying by sunlight is very painful.”
“You have to wait for Demos,” I begged. “He’s getting the keys.”
“You heard Faith, she hid them.” Merl’s eyes were glossy, his jaw tight.
I ran to Faith. “No! I won’t let you kill her.”
She pushed against the chains, gnashing her teeth and swiping the air as she tried to reach me. Arik jumped between us, pushing me back. “You want to get bit?” he said.
“There has to be something we can do,” I said, dropping to the ground on my knees, just out of Faith’s grasp. I covered my mouth with my hand to stop my sobs. But nothing could stop them. I shut my eyes tight. This can’t be happening. She can’t die.
The tears tumbling from my cheeks and nose landed on my hand. My palms pulsed and tiny tingles pricked my skin. I opened my hands and stared at my palms. They burned, but they weren’t on fire. A pink glow swathed my eyes. For a long moment, I believed it was the pink light of sunrise and expected Faith to crumble before my eyes, but she didn’t. Instead, the charmed shackles fell to the ground, releasing her. I stumbled to my feet.
Veronique stood gaping at us. “What just ‘appened?”
“Get back.” Arik pointed his sword at Faith. Veronique snatched hers from the ground where Merl must have dropped it and aimed it toward Faith as well.
“Get Gia away,” Merl ordered, a ball of electricity swirling between his hands. “It’s not safe.”
“Don’t hurt her!” I rushed toward the tree. Arik grabbed me around my waist, lifting my feet off the ground.
“Let me go!” I kicked his shin. He flinched, but kept his hold on me.
Merl threw the ball at Faith. The charge sparked across her skin, and she collapsed to the ground, bound by electric cords of light. He