176

MAXINE

"Not yet," I yelled, running back to them. I felt the artifact's energy in me. "Hold hands!"

Together, we formed a circle around the curse. Mr. Grayson activated his amulet and formed a protection around us from the attacking shadows. Zel continued the chant along with Peter as the curse tried to push through us.

“Hold on tight, we can’t let it break!” I yelled. "This is our last chance."

Zel’s chanting became faster and the symbols on the puzzle pieces glowed so brightly, that they were almost blinding me.

The curse exploded outward and I was thrown back. My breath was knocked from my lungs as I hit the ground. Everything seemed to slow down. For a moment, I was sure we had failed, that the curse had won.

But then, I heard Zel’s voice. “Get up. We’re not done yet!”

I pushed myself to my feet, my legs shaking under me. I hurried towards Zel and held her hand, squinting as the curse continued to twirl like the wind.

Regina and Peter were already up, helping Mr. Grayson to his fe