dead unicorn with his hands atop his head, lost in bewilderment and shock at the butchery before him.
‘I just…’ He lets out a long breath and shakes his head, glancing at the death of the woodland around us and the unicorn. ‘I can’t understand this. Why the hell would someone want to murder a unicorn? How could they even find one?’
‘What do you mean, find one? It’s in the middle of the woods.’
‘They’re hidden creatures, Buttons. That’s what Connor Quinn says, anyway. I should know. The kid’s been trying to find one since we got here. That and a sodding dragon. He says they cloak themselves from view, which is why it’s so rare to see them. You only see them if they want to be seen.’
‘That would explain why I had never seen this clearing before today.’
‘Precisely. I’m pretty sure this is its nest.’ He looks sadly at the rotten space that now surrounds us. ‘Or it was. I can’t understand how someone who meant to harm it could find it.’
‘I tried to save her.’ I crouch down beside her body, resting my hand on her back. ‘I sealed the wound with my magic, but she died anyway. I don’t think I was strong enough.’
Dad crouches beside me and rests his hand beside mine.
‘I found her because I think she was calling for help. It was the strangest thing. I felt like I knew what she was feeling. That she was communicating. She was so afraid. She was so heartbroken.’
‘She called, you came, and you did everything you could,’ he comforts. ‘You can’t blame yourself for this.’
‘I should have healed her faster. I would have if that bastard didn’t attack me. If I was stronger. If I had practised more and built up my stamina.’
‘You have been pushing yourself every day. You’re doing all you can-’
‘We need to find out who is responsible. It can’t go unpunished! First the missing witches. Now this?’
‘We will, Buttons.’ His hand rests on mine. ‘I promise you. We will. But first, let’s get you back home. Callie is a little spooked, and you need to be there for her. Besides, if there is someone powerful and stupid enough to try and kill you, I don’t want you out here anymore. Not this exhausted.’
‘I’m not scared of whoever did this, Dad. I can deal with them.’
‘You’re a baby witch. You’ve only had your magic for a few months. Others here have been training since the day they arrived.’
‘I’m perfectly capable,’ I snap. ‘And I’m not a baby witch.’
‘Either way, you need to go home. Your daughter needs you alive, Lilly. We need you safe and right now…’ He looks around us. ‘You’re not safe.’
‘Is she scared of me?’ I ask. ‘Callie?’
‘No. Just worried and wanting her mum.’ He stands and holds out his hand. ‘Let’s give her what she wants, hmm?’
‘What about the unicorn? We can’t just leave her here like this.’
‘I’ll talk to Gabriel when he returns. We’ll figure it out.’ He flexes his fingers. ‘You let us worry about this. You focus on Callie and yourself for now. Please. I just want to get you back to safety.’
I take his hand and he pulls me to my feet.
With a final glance at the dull and lifeless eyes of the most magical of creatures, we head towards his horse, mount up, and start the ride home.
