I handed the photo to Veronica and she held it out over Elva’s body. She began to chant, but they weren’t words I recognized. Sparks flickered in her hands. Purple-blue flames fanned out across the photo, and then twisted down toward Elva.
“Elva!” I gasped and started forward.
Nicholas gripped me around the waist and held me back. I struggled, desperate to get to Elva.
What if this was actually hurting her? What if it was doing more harm than good? I couldn’t let anyone hurt my little girl!
“Nick! Don’t! Let me go!”
“Wait!” Nicholas said back. His voice was strained. This must have been hurting him too. “Please, Piper. Just wait!”
I couldn’t. I couldn’t.
Those flames were so close to Elva. If they touched her, then –
All at once it was over.
The flames shot back up to the talisman
