The room remained quiet after Merida had told them her story.

“I’m sorry you had to go through all that,” Amanda said softly.

Merida nodded at the comment but didn’t want to respond; she was tired of talking and just wanted to get out of there. She walked back over to the Grimoires that were laid out on top of the table and started to close them one by one. “It’s time for us to focus on casting the curse on Emil,” she muttered.

Vita walked up at that moment and overheard what Merida had been discussing. “I need to break the curse on Deak before you give your ultimatum to Emil,” Vita informed.

Merida sighed with frustration, but she understood. The young witch was in love, and it was Merida’s fault that the spell even existed. She needed to stay and help Vita find a loophole to rid this Deak guy of the curse.

“That guy is my cousin, and he’s put his neck out for almost all of us and risked his life on more than one occasion. He’s worthy of being saved.” Amanda said.

“I’m sorry; I guess banishment has made me lose faith that there are still decent men in the world,” Merida admitted.

Vita stood and watched Merida have an internal conversation with herself; she knew Merida was talking to Amanda. Vita wished she could hear what Amanda was saying in Deak’s defense.

“It’s not fair that you get to have a conversation with Amanda, and I can’t hear what she has to say,” Vita grumbled while she picked up the books and tossed them back into the suitcase. The storage toppled over from the weight of the books, and in the mess of things, a small jewelry box was nestled between the books. Vita picked up the small box and looked it over.

Merida felt a solid connection to the box; she moved closer and gestured for the container. Vita handed Merida the smallholder and watched with anticipation. It seemed to be a puzzle box that Merida recognized, and after a few moments, she opened it. Merida’s eyes opened widely in shock as she reached in and pulled out the pendant necklace she had asked Amanda to look for.

“Is that what I think it is?” Amanda asked in shock.

Merida shook her head excitedly. She pulled the necklace to her chest, closed her eyes, and sighed in relief. Emil didn’t have the pendant, she praised. Merida opened her eyes and looked at Vita. “I need to get to where my body is being held,” Merida said in a rushed breath.

“Wait, what about helping me find a way to break the curse on my mate?” Vita asked, confused.

“I’ll be able to help you better if I’m in my own body. But we need to hurry,” Merida told her.

Vita didn’t know what to do; she didn’t want to leave in case Deak came back to her. She didn’t want him to think she abandoned him. “I’m sorry, I can’t leave.”

Merida sighed and nodded. “I understand. I promise Amanda, and I will be back soon,” and with a snap of her fingers, Merida disappeared.

***

Reece appeared with Rita in front of the small cottage just outside of the dark forest. “So, this is where the King comes when he’s away from the big city,” Reece spoke aloud. “Show me the coffin.”

Rita didn’t flinch at the bite in Reece’s voice as she waved her hand and pushed open the door magically. Reece moved the witch ahead of him and into the house.

“Where?” he asked her.

Rita guided him down the dark stairs and into the room that held the coffin in question. Reece released Rita and circled the rectangular object. Reece reached out and wanted to touch the shiny wood.

“I wouldn’t touch it if I were you,” Rita warned. “There’s a spell on it, and anyone who touches it gets an electrical charge shot through them. It doesn’t feel good.”

Reece narrowed his eyes at the wooden object; how was he going to get this coffin to open without killing himself? Before he could devise a plan, he felt himself being flung across the room and pinned to the wall. When Reece came to, he recognized the girl that appeared in the small room.

“Well, if it isn’t the little hybrid, what are you doing here?” He could feel his patience wearing thin, and he didn’t like showing weakness.

“I could ask you the same thing,” she responded.

Merida held her hands to keep the other people away from her coffin.

“Aperta (open),” Merida said aloud, and the lid began to open. Shea peeked into the coffin and was relieved to see her body just as she had left it. She pulled out the necklace and put it around the neck of her body.

“Expergiscimini (awake),” Merida commanded.

Before Amanda knew what was happening, she felt Merida leave her body and watched her float into the coffin before the lid collapsed shut. Amanda was happy to regain control of her body but didn’t realize how much strength it took to house another soul inside her. She tried to keep her power up to hold the two intruders against the wall, but she was failing. Amanda cried out to her wolf for help, but before Willow could shift them, she felt the body pressed to the back of her and a hand wrapped tightly around her neck.

Reece sucked in the savory smell of the hybrid he was holding. He was tempted to taste the blood everyone desperately desired but decided against it. “As much as I would love to be the first to taste your blood, I have explicit orders to take you to my king,” Reece informed.

Amanda tried to shake herself free from the fanged man but could not.

“What about the girl in the coffin? Rita asked in annoyance. “I thought you wanted to use her against Emil.”

“She’s no longer useful to us; her lid is sealed shut again. Besides, I believe Emil will be happy to get his hands on this one.” He laughed devilishly.

“But I want Emil to be free from this girl,” Rita ssaid with frustration.

Reece glared at the stubborn woman to compel her once again. Rita felt the strength of Reece’s compulsion pulling her in, forcing her to give into his temptations.

“It’s time to leave, Rita; there’s nothing left for us to do about the girl. You can give Emil the news that she’s locked back up in her coffin.”

Rita giggled with excitement, and she curled into the side of Reece. He pulled the two women together and disappeared through the fog, leaving the coffin alone in the cold, dark room.