Reclaiming Magic

Chapter14: The Heart of the Matter

I groaned as I blinked against the bright sunlight through the window. The warmth felt foreign, and for a moment, I could only remember the horrifying darkness that had wrapped around me moments before it all faded away. As my eyes adjusted, I looked around the familiar room: the old wooden beams that formed the cabin’s ceiling, the cozy furniture, and the flickering fire in the stone fireplace. But something was off. My body felt heavy, tight, and uncomfortable. I tried to push myself up, but a sharp pain shot through my waist and legs. Slowly pulling my gaze dropped to my own body, I was startled to see that I was wrapped in thick, white, bandages from my waist to my ankles. Panic surged through me as memories flickered in my mind--- Daniel, the knife, his laughter echoing in my ears.

“Evelyn!” A familiar voice broke through the shadows of my memory. I turned my head to see Dev standing by the window, his expression a mix of relief and worry. I could see the tears stream down his face as he rushed to my side. “Dev,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. ‘I’m here,” he replied, taking my hand gently. His touch was warm and grounding, but I could see the faint tremor in his fingers. “You’re back at the cabin… we thought we lost you.” “What happened?” I struggled to sit up, but my body protested. Dev helped guide my back against the pillows. “Where are the triplets?” “They’re fine,” he assured me. “Alice is with them. We took care of everything.” His eyes glanced away, a flicker of something dark crossing his features. ‘But… Daniel…” My heart pounded in my chest at the mention of his name. “Is he… is he alive?”

Dev’s face hardened, his jaw clenched. “He is. We managed to escape, but not without cost. He’s still out there, and he’s not going to stop until he finds you again.” My breath hitched, the memories of my capture flooding back with vicious clarity. The sharpness of the knife, the pleasure Daniel had taken in the torment--- I shivered at the thought. “We have to leave. We can’t stay here.” “We will,” Dev said softly, wiping a stray tear from my cheek with his thumb. “But you need to take precautions. He could come looking for you at any moment.” “What about the triplets?” I winced as I tried to sit up again, determination surging through me despite the pain. “They’re safe, I promise. Alice has been watching them.” Dev’s voice cracked slightly. “I can’t bear to watch something bad happen to them.”

I sank back against the pillows, my heart heavy with the weight of it all. I thought of the triplets--- bright, innocent faces, unaware of the darkness that shadowed in their lives. “He’s going to come back for me. Daniel won’t just let this go.” Dev looked away, his expression pained. “I know. That’s why we need a plan. You have to focus on healing, and we’ll fortify the cabin. Make it harder for him to find us. I wanted to use my magic to heal you but I don’t want Daniel to be able to trace us. So, you’ll have to heal the ol’ fashioned way.” The thought of being trapped again made my stomach twist, but I nodded, accepting the reality that we were in a precarious situation. “What do we do?” “In the meantime, I’ll keep watch. I won’t let him hurt you again, Evelyn. I swear,” he vowed, his eyes blazing with intensity. Suddenly, a soft noise broke the tense silence, and both of us turned towards the door.

Alice walked in, her cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the atmosphere in the room. ‘Oh, you’re awake!” she beamed, but her joy faltered when she saw the bandages around my body. “Oh no… Evie, what happened?” ‘I’m okay, just a little scraped up,” I forced a smile, wanting to reassure Alice, but the young woman’s eye’s filled with concern and sorrow. “We were so scared! Dev wouldn’t leave your side,” Alice said, her voice soft. “But we’ve all been working together to keep things ready. I’m sure the triplets missed their mommy. Can I get you anything?” ‘No, no, I’m fine,” I replied quickly, but deep down, I wanted nothing more than to feel secure and loved, t hold my babies in my arms and cradle them close.

“Are you sure?” Alice pressed, her brows knitting in concern. “I can make soup. It’ll help you regain your strength.” A faint smile tugged at my lips. “That sounds nice. Thank you, Alice.” As Alice busied herself in the small kitchen off to the side, Dev leaned closer, his expression serious once more. “We need to set up a lookout. If Daniel comes back, we need to be prepared to defend ourselves and the kids.” I took a deep breath, willing my heart to calm. ‘How many people does he have? Does he have friends helping him?” “From what we gathered, he’s alone, but that doesn’t mean he’s not dangerous,” Dev said, running a hand through his frustration. “He’s crafty… and unpredictable.”

“Like a wolf,” I whispered. ‘Sneaky and lethal.” Dev nodded solemnly. “Exactly. We’ll need to stay vigilant. I’ll set up watches when night falls. Just keep resting and don’t push yourself. I can’t lose you again.” I searched his face, desperate to ease his worry. “I won’t push myself more than I can handle. I promise” Dev’s gaze softened, and for a moment, the tension in the room eased just slightly. “You focus on healing, Evelyn. I’ll take care of the rest.” Alice re-entered the room with a steaming bowl of soup, setting it on the table beside me. The rich aroma filled the air, momentarily distracting me from my fears. “Here you go! Just what you need,” she said with a hopeful smile, though her eyes still held worry.

“Thank you, Alice. You’re a lifesaver,” I managed to say, lifting the spoon to my lips. The warmth spread through me, both from the soup and the care surrounding me. As I ate, I felt a flicker of hope amidst the fear. “Alice, can you help me set some things up outside?” Dev asked, his tone turning serious again. “We need to reinforce the cabin and keep watch for any signs of Daniel. If he’s coming back, we need to be ready.” “Of course!” she replied, instantly shifting into a more focused demeanor. “Let’s get to work.” As they stepped out, I took a moment to absorb everything. The flickering fire, the familiar sounds of the cabin, the gentle rustle of the trees outside--- it was a sanctuary, a shield against the darkness. Yet, the shadow of Daniel loomed large, whispering it’s threats through my mind.

I knew I had to heal, to regain my strength, but worry gnawed at me. I thought about the triplets. They needed me, and I couldn’t afford to let fear consume me. Just as I gathered my resolve, I heard a low thud from outside, followed by a hush that settled around the cabin. My heart raced; instinct slashed through the warmth of the soup I had just eaten. I reached for a nearby blanket, wrapping it around my shoulders as the flickering firelight sparked shadows against the walls. “Dev? Alice?” I whispered, my voice trembling. The fear that had momentarily receded surged forth with renewed intensity. I breathed, forcing myself to remain calm. Waiting for an answer, I peeked outside through the shades that hung over the window. Just as I did, someone burst through the front door.