Emma sunk the bloodied towel into a bowl of warm water, watching as it became red. She felt the exhaustion etch itself in her muscles; a headache pounded within her skull. The world spun, she leaned on the small wooden table for support.

            With a forced effort, Emma straightened herself then proceeded to clean the wounds in Donghyun and Hyunseong’s bodies. She used the warm cloth on Hyunseong and worked detailed spells over Donghyun’s marble white skin. She was aware of Jeongmin watching her; his eyes followed her every move.

            “You’re suspicious of me.”

            “You’re a witch.”

            “I am not a witch.”

            He raised a single eyebrow, giving his head a sharp nudge in the direction of her work. “It sure looks as if you are.”

            Sighing, Emma moved away from Donghyun. She placed a hand on Hyunseong’s forehead and scooped up his calloused hand in her other. She ran a weary thumb against his skin, deciding that her obligation was only to him.

            “Witches are made,” she said, picking up the almost lost thread of their exchange. “I was born.”

            “What?”

            But Emma did not deem him worthy of further explanation. Giving Hyunseong’s hand a gentle kiss, she spread her palm on his chest, and, with the last of her energy, performed on Hyunseong what she would not perform on Donghyun.

            The burst of bright sky blue light