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Elianna hesitated, then finally answered, "Häxa"

Mari sed "She does feed off trapped souls"

Elianna nodded, then continued, "Your father succumbed first"

"He didn't he didn't just ditch us?"

"No, leaving his family nearly killed him, but he is a powerful warlock, and his destiny had always been to fight Häxa He was ruthless in his preparation for battle Black reater power He dealt with devils and rogue wizards Yet still he was unable to smite her"

"And Jillian?"

"H&au for his life Jillian knew the futility, but she couldn't live without hi No wonder Jillian had always see her husband

"Druid sabbatical, Elianna?" Her father lived? Her mother hadn't remained away by choice? "How could you not tell me about this?"

"Jillian wanted you to have a norht I was unwanted! That they both chose to leave me"

Elianna looked baffled "But they adored you - surely you reer at her "You should have told me about what happened to thehteen, should I have said, 'Your parents are frozen in eternal pain and agony - and you can't do a da about it for many years'? Then wish you luck on your SATs?"

Her parents had loved her "How do I wake thelanced away "You have to kill the one that did this to theoddess, the most powerful sorceress ever to live "Fate does no' blow her bullets," Bowen had said He'd been right Mari was to fight the witches' greatest ene inside her wouldn't be denied Elianna stared at her eyes, and Mari knew they'd changed

"I' after her Tell me how to find her"

"You will kno to find her when you are prepared to fight her"

"For once, stop this witchy, mystical bullshit, Elianna! I want to kill her now!"

"You're not ready," Elianna insisted

"If you think I'll sit around here waiting to turn immortal - "

"That won't matter," Elianna quietly interrupted "H&au to dust Immortality or mortality willagainst her?" Mari demanded "What do the seers say?"

"Anyone who tried to read the battle between Mariketa the Awaited and Häxa was struck mad We doubt Häxa has even been able to see this"