Sam POV Miranda arrived earlier than expected the next morning. Her and Rick had joined us all for breakfast before she and I walked away to get started on breaking the spell that had wrapped itself around me. Rick joined us. “Do you mind that Rick is here with us?” Miranda asks. Shaking my head, she continued, “He helps ground me when I am breaking a spell. I can often extend a process with his support.”. Nodding my head, “That is what we see with Jenna and Adam. He helps her endure longer healing sessions,” I share with them. “Interesting. It seems there are parallels between what I do and what she does. I find that fascinating,” Miranda comments. “It has been a learning process for all of us, that is for sure,” I offer. We walk into my office, and I stand uncomfortably at the door as Miranda and Rick walk in. My office is quite big so there is ample room for all of us. I am just uncertain of what to do next. Miranda laughs, “First t

Miranda POV I could tell Sarah was starting to get tired, but I was in awe of her talent. “Just one more spell, Sarah and then we will break for the day,” I assure her. We had been at it for hours. I could not contain my excitement, now that her shield was down, she was unstoppable. She was working on smaller spells, but still quickly and more importantly accurately. It was clear someone had seen the power within her and wanted to contain it. But why? Why would someone do that to her at such a young age. Witches in her position often find themselves having mental breakdowns. The power builds within them, and they have no place to express that power and it almost combusts internally. That she has maintained her sanity is a tribute to her strength. Had she had her powers in place, she would have been able to better protect herself when she had been kidnapped. That was my goal. To help her establish quick and easy ways to protect herself

Sarah POV “Jack … Jack, are you alright?” I yell at him as I reach him, he is picking himself up off the ground. “What the hell was that?!?” Jack yells as he tries to see where the man went. “That was the man I saw last night,” I murmur to Jack as I look back where the warlock had stood. I could instantly recognize his powers today when he tossed Jack so freely into the wall. He could recognize my powers coming to life as well. “I am sorry,” Jack says to me. “Sorry for what?” I ask confused. “I did not protect you,” Jack says as he is embarrassed. “Jack, that was a powerful warlock. Nobody could have protected themselves,” I reply to him. “It is a demonstration of how strong you are to have survived the attack,” I say to him as I take his hand. I did not want him to be upset with himself. “I was able to put up a quick barrier between the warlock and myself,” I share with Jack. “Oh?” he asks. “Yes, it held him back. Had I known you we

Sam POV Spending the night just holding Josie in my arms was incredible. I did not know what the future held but I would fight for having her in my arms every night. When we woke, she was shy, but I simply held her longer and she fell back asleep. Knowing I had an early morning with Miranda, I left her shortly after she fell back asleep sad to leave her. I was walking out of Josie’s room when I saw Jack sneaking out of his room. We looked at one another and smiled. “Who would have thought we would be sneaking out of rooms together?” I teased him. “I am not sneaking out, I am going to get food for my Queen,” Jack says excitedly. I happen to notice he is sporting a new mark this morning. I feel a twinge of jealousy but quickly let it go. I was happy for Jack and Sarah. “So, you both decided to take the plunge?” I ask as we walk down the steps together. “Sure did,” Jack replies smugly. “I think I am the luckiest guy alive, Sam,” Jack adds

Josie POV Startled I pulled back only to feel instant regret. I did not want to cause Sam more pain, but I slowly realize he is smiling at me. And he did not grab his head in agony as he did last time. I slowly smile back at him; suddenly hyper aware we have an audience. Breaking my stare with Sam, I look around the room at everyone with a glare. Miranda is smiling. Rick is more pensive of the situation. Jack and Sarah are smiling like idiots. I shake my head as I consider what this could mean. I knew I had to still have the spell removed from me or whatever was going on, but did this mean we had a chance? I look back at Sam who is still smiling at me as he nods, “Yes, we might have a chance.”. I was embarrassed, I had not realized I had said the last part out loud. Standing, I realized I need air. I had never been given a chance before – I felt like I was starting to hyperventilate. “I need to go,” I say to everyone who looked at me c