ARIA
“What?” I pushed myself up again, heart racing. “How many times has this spell been done before?”
“Timing depends on the witch and her power,” Lunessa said, her voice sharp with impatience. She took the jar from Mireya and shoved it toward me. “Harder spells can take longer. There’s a lot of magic in this room, so it shouldn’t drag on. Drink it. We’ve wasted enough time. You do want this, don’t you?”
The question felt like a challenge.
Carefully, I took the jar from her hands. “Of course I want it. You’re sure it won’t hurt the baby?”
“We know what we’re doing,” she replied. “Drink.”
All three of them watched. No one blinked. Slowly, I lifted the jar and tipped it back. The liquid looked thick and dark, like mud left after rain. I expected bitterness, something foul. But it had
