Chapter 82

Ciara's POV I have no doubt that Maya is strong. But strength alone won’t be enough, she’ll need the resolve to carry it through. If it proves too much, I’ll do it myself. Or Oliver will. Now that they’ve finally come to understand each other, I’m more confident than ever that he won’t let Maeve, or anyone, get close enough to hurt her. I had asked a friend to smooth the wooden stakes and wrap the grip end in a thin, enchanted binding, and to also aid channeling the energy. A firm hold is essential, whether throwing or using them in hand-to-hand combat. Personally, I had always recommend throwing, but with vampires, that comes with its own risks. They’re so fast, even the slightest miscalculation could mean a missed opportunity. The key is to learn how to direct the stake with magic, guiding it like an extension of your will, straight to the heart. Maya spent the first hour practicing on a stationary target, a dummy I had set up with a marked heart zone. It was a small step, but a vita