"We need to hurry!" The raven-haired woman sounded, "Those leeches sent by the Dark Circle are still after the child."

"They can't have her. We must take her to safety." The woman, my mother, said, her eyes full of concern for me. Her hand was holding me firmly. She had the same familiar symbol on her wrist.

"You can be assured, Fiona, that the witches and I will protect her even if—" The raven-haired woman was cut off abruptly by the threatening growls that ...