Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.

Thanks for the reviews, this is finally the end, I'll put the last chapter up now too.

9. Hunter

I sat bolt upright in bed, Hunter, I tried. Goddess, Morgan. I knew something was wrong, she sent a witch message even when her powers had been bound. I shot out of bed, pulled on some more clothes and ran downstairs to grab my coat. I didn't stop to call Da, until I got into my car, Morgan's in trouble, at the power sink. I sent the same to Sky, who had recently got back.

I couldn't drive fast enough. If something happened to Morgan I would never forgive myself for letting that damned council take away her powers, nor for letting her go back home after last night. I skidded to a halt outside the power sink area. As I opened the door I could feel the dark magick that had been worked here. Spells to ward off people were fading, so I just crashed right through them. I was searching for Morgan with my magesight. I couldn't feel her anywhere, until I saw her car parked hurriedly at the side of the path. Then I saw her pile of clothes. Goddess, what have they done with her.

I felt my power coursing through me as I prepared for a battle, casting my senses powerfully through the wood. Nothing. I hurried on through, then saw a sight that turned my blood cold.

Goddess, Morgan.

She was lying alone in the middle of the power sink, surrounded by signs of a struggle and a partially closed Bith Dearc next to her. My heart felt like it was being ripped out as I saw her body lying there, a gash on her arm, and a knife through her heart. There was too much blood collected in a pool around her, so dark compared to her white skin. I picked her up, her body cold and weak, her skin gaunt and pale. I cast out my senses and felt a faint pulse, getting weaker by the second.

I hauled off my coat, wrapping it around her. I sent witch messages to anyone I could think of. Bethany please. Morgan's dying. I sent. Suddenly her eyes fluttered open, misted with pain and she smiled as she focused on me.

"I love you, Hunter." She whispered. Then she relaxed and her eyes shut again. I lay her back down on the ground, holding her close to try and warm her up and keep her alive as I felt Da and Sky approaching.

"Da, please." I realized that I had tears running down my face. Sky's eyes widened when she saw Morgan.

"Goddess," she murmered.

"There's nothing I can do, son." He looked at me with sad eyes, "The spell is unfinished, and would not help her now."

"There has to be something," I begged, "Please Da." I bent lower over Morgan, trying not to touch the fatal dagger piercing her chest. Sky was looking around the place.

"Amyranth were here," she stated the obvious. She came over to me and Morgan. Seconds later I felt relief wash over me, Bethany was here, with Alyce. They ran over. As soon as Alyce saw Morgan she burst into tears.

"Please help her Bethany," I cried desperately. I felt so helpless, so guilty at not being there for Morgan.

Bethany's eyes widened, she pushed me and Alyce away and eyed Morgan looking grim. She gently lay Morgan out flat on the ground and pulled out the dagger and threw it on the ground. Then she sat for a minute, trying to enter a deep meditative pose. I wanted to scream at her, to tell her to hurry up as Morgan was dying and getting worse all the time.

At last she spread her hands over Morgans chest. Alyce got everyone to stand in a circle around Bethany and Morgan. We immediately began to draw out our power sending it continuously to Bethany. After what seemed like ages, Bethany stopped and said,

"There's nothing more I can do while the Bith Mearc drains her energy," she said looking grim. "She's going to die while it remains open."

We all looked pointedly at Da. Then it was Da's turn to order everyone about. We all went away, and although I was reluctant to leave Morgan, I knew that we couldn't be of any help. None of us knew the spell. I went over and Alyce pulled me into a hug.

"She'll be alright." Alyce tried to look convinced. Da started chanting immediately, and I could only stand and watch, hoping that it would work. I could feel Morgan losing it all the way through. At the end, Da faltered. I thought that was it, but he continued on, and finally spread out his hands and Morgan became illuminated in light, then faded.

"It is done I hope." He slumped down to rest on the floor. Bethany ran over immediately to where Morgan lay, continuing in the long healing process. At last she stood up, and Alyce helped her back to the car.

"Thank you," I called after.

"Morgan getting better is the only thank you I need." She replied.

I gently lifted Morgan up and into my car. I wrapped her in the blanket that I had in the back seat and lay her down. She looked a bit less pale, but she was still stone cold. Sky agreed to drive Morgan's car back, and Da got in to the passenger seat.

"Thanks Da," I murmered, relief washing over me. I had been sure that Morgan was dead.

"Least I could do son, I wasn't sure it would work, but it looks hopeful." I smiled at him in gratitude. We drove the rest of the way in silence, lost in our own thoughts. "She ought to go to the hospital I think." Da said. I nodded in agreement and dropped Da off at home. I was about to set off again to the hospital, but thought that I should probably change Morgan back into her own clothes before walking into the hospital with her wearing a black cloak. I quickly pulled off the robe and put her clothes back on, which were cold and damp.

I walked into the hospital, with Morgan in my arms, desperately hoping that she would be alright. What was I going to tell them and what about her parents? I decided that I would think about that later. As I walked in the door, one of the nurses saw me and hurried off to get a trolley and I lifted her on. The nurse ushered me away while the doctor examined her. I sat down in the waiting room, my exhaustion flooding back to me. Thank the Goddess Morgan was safe.