Their combined power to recreate life was nothing short of astoundingly impressive and breathtaking. And surrounding all of it, was Cai’s protective circle of dark magic, keeping order and control over it all. The women watched as it went on for several long minutes, as the men seemed to be entranced in their purpose. Even Tara was silent and in awe as she held Button up to see what was happening.
“I believe it is nearly complete,” Norna said quietly to Kemma, who was standing beside her. But then, she felt something creep up within her again, that sense of dread. Her intuition had warned her something was wrong; she just didn’t know what it was. She tried to shove it back down again; it was silly. They were almost finished. But this time, it was relentless. The feeling came over her as if it refused to be ignored any further and made Norna unsteady on her feet. Kemma grabbed her elbow and held her up.
“Are you okay, what’s wrong?”
“They have to stop!” Norna screamed as all the blood drained from her face.
“What? Why?” Kemma asked in a panic.
Tara became scared as Norna tossed her quickly to the ground and out of her arms.
Norna ran to Cai and tried to pull the stone relic from his hand, but he was consumed with their task and held it fast. It was as if he didn’t even feel her there. Brenna was the only one in the circle to see Norna’s reaction.
“Norna?” she called to her. “What’s happening?”
All at once, the orb of energy in the circle turned black and began to turn in fierce cycles within the space between them. Brenna’s eyes widened with fear as she saw it come for her, and she felt her feet lift up from the ground.
“Mom!” Kemma screamed as she pushed into the circle and grabbed her mother’s hand and was swept up into the swirling darkness with Brenna.
“No….” Norna gasped as she put her hand over her mouth, unable to stop what was happening.
The hold over the men broke, and they all looked toward the dark orb that had just disappeared before them, with Brenna and Kemma sent spiraling through the chaos within it.
Norna held her hand to her face in horror while Brynlee gripped Tara’s little hand so tightly that it made tears swell in her eyes.
“Where’s Brenna?” Brandt asked.
“Gone.”
* * *