Free Unearthed by Rachael Wade

a painful past from Seattle, Washington.
    Almost.

8
    By the time we arrived at the windmill, Gavin was up to speed on Anastasia’s identity and her role as link to our friends on Earth. We’d made it there in a matter of minutes, careful to stick to the inner side streets. There was no getting around having to make a mad dash up the hill to the windmill, but we’d managed to do it without being spotted. Anastasia used her power to unlock the door and we snuck inside, worming our way around the tables, chairs, and tablecloths to get to the bunker door. Although it was an even tighter space now, since turning into a supply storage area, the four of us still managed to huddle inside and close ourselves away.
    I removed my cloak and settled Ava onto a blanket behind some boxes, giving her a soft kiss before returning to chat with Gavin and Anastasia.
    “Okay, now what?” I asked on a sigh, letting myself sink to the ground. I used my cloak for some cushion, draping my arms over my knees.
    Anastasia cleared her throat, and I could tell there was something she wanted to say again, only this time, she was more determined.
    “What is it, Anastasia?”
    “Well, you might not like it…I mean, of course I understand if you absolutely detest what I am about to suggest.”
    Gavin’s interest piqued and he sat down beside me and took my hand. “What is it? I doubt you’ll suggest anything crazier than plans we’ve made before.”
    She eyed him for a moment, as if to test his sincerity before speaking. “Okay, if you insist. You see, I’m a little familiar with the hybrid spell. Okay, a lot familiar, actually. I used to sneak into Gérard’s lair. I studied the spell, used to study all of his spells. Even stole some of his notes. I memorized them, just in case…in case he ever tried to hurt my sister.”
    Gavin and I exchanged side glances.
    “I quickly saw the danger in what he was doing and wanted no part in it. I quit snooping, but the spells are all here.” She tapped her forehead. “I can perform the hybrid spell, if you wish. I studied alongside him, I know his technique. As much as I loathe the man, there’s no denying he was brilliant. Innovative. A mastermind at manipulating our magic. I don’t know everything. I obviously don’t know how to reverse what he’s done here with Amaranth, but Samira and your friends have already taken care of that, it seems. I know enough to work the hybrid spell, though. I was thinking, with the villagers up in arms over my appearance and their plan to overthrow your leadership here, well…there might be a way to ensure our protection. Temporarily, I mean. Just until everyone returns safely back to Earth.”
    Gavin’s hand tightened on mine. “What are you saying, Anastasia?”
    She breathed deeply as she moved a stray lock of raven hair behind her ear, and fixed us both with her intense jade green stare. “As you know, a human witch cannot touch a hybrid’s magic. Even the frozen souls, when they existed, were no match for Gérard or Samira’s magic. Their conjuring abilities were limited in comparison, because Gérard created their curse to limit them in that way. He couldn’t keep them from using the witches’ magic completely—he didn’t have quite that much control over the witches’ magic—but he still discouraged the frozen souls from learning to conjure, to keep them in the dark.”
    “Yeah,” I shrugged, “so?”
    “Aside from the hybrid species Gérard created, original witches yield the greatest power over their magic, right? All of the other witches are just regular practitioners, do you follow? They don’t have sacred blood; they’re not consecrated with special powers like the originals. And we have originals on our side. Those rebels out there don’t. Which means…” She widened her eyes at us, turning her palms up in a silent conclusion.
    Gavin and I waited.
    She let out an impatient sigh. “Which means we have something those rebel