The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 140

CHAPTER 140

Finn stepped into the room like he’d been struck by lightning. His eyes were wide, chest heaving, and his hands trembled at his sides. “What the hell happened?” he asked, voice sharp and cracking

at the edges.

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Amara flinched at the sound, but didn’t look away. Her hands trembled in her lap, fingers twisting in the fabric of her shirt. Her voice came out quiet but clear. “I told Saphira already. I’ll tell you too.”

Saphira stayed seated beside her, her hand still resting lightly on Amara’s arm, anchoring her. She could feel the tension vibrating through Amara’s skin. Finn dropped into the nearest chair, his body folding in on itself, elbows on his knees, eyes locked on Amara like he was afraid she’d vanish.

Amara took a breath, then began. Her voice was steady at first, but each word seemed to cost her more. She told him how Cassandra had separated her from the others, how the witch had sensed her bond with Finn and used it against her. How unnatural magic had been used to strip her of the ability to have children.

Saphira watched Finn closely. His face was a storm–shock, disbelief, horror, grief. His hands gripped his knees so tightly his knuckles turned white. His jaw clenched, then slackened. His eyes never left Amara, but he looked like he couldn’t breathe.

Amara’s voice faltered only once, when she said, “I was pregnant.” Then again, quieter, more broken: “They killed my baby.”

Finn’s breath hitched. His mouth opened, then closed. No words came.

Saphira stood slowly, her heart aching, her anger simmering just beneath her skin. She leaned down, brushing Amara’s shoulder gently, her voice soft but fierce.

“I’ll leave you two to talk,” she said. “But I’m here. For whatever you need. And I swear to you, Amara–I will make them pay for this.”

Finn looked up at her then, his eyes glassy but fierce. He gave her a single nod, silent but full of meaning. Saphira returned it, then turned and left the room.

Her steps were slow, deliberate. The hallway felt colder now, the air heavier. Her thoughts churned, her fury growing with every stride. They did this to Amara. The most kind, loving person I’ve ever known. They tore something sacred from her–and they did it with smug precision. That witch didn’t just cast a spell. She carved a wound.

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17:47 Tue, Sep 16

CHAPTER 140

By the time she reached the office, her jaw was tight, her hands clenched. Inside, Nikolas was speaking with Jed and Raven, a few witches gathered around the table. A large map was spread across it, marked with boundary lines and magical sigils. The scent of ink and old parchment filled

the air.

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Saphira walked straight to Nikolas‘ side. He glanced at her, saw the storm in her eyes, and without a word, wrapped an arm around her waist. His touch was warm, steady. She leaned into it slightly, but the fire inside her didn’t cool.

“We’re discussing how far out to cast the boundary,” Raven was saying. “We’ve mapped the outer ridges here and here-” she pointed to two marked zones “–but we’ll need to branch out along the northern edge if we want full coverage.”

Jed nodded, tapping the map with a knuckle. “That’s where they’ll test us first. It’s the most exposed.”

Saphira listened, her gaze flicking over the map. The lines were clean, the plan sound. It sounded like they were nearly done—just finalizing the reach and layering.

When the conversation began to wind down, Saphira stepped forward, her voice calm but edged. “Raven, wait. You and the others–before you go.”

The witches paused, turning toward her. Raven tilted her head, sensing something deeper beneath

the request.

“Do you know much about fertility spells?” Saphira asked. “Specifically ones used with unnatural

magic?”

The witches exchanged glances. One of them–a younger woman with silver–threaded braids–spoke first. “It’s risky magic. Even when done with extreme precision, it’s unstable. There are often holes in the spell. Gaps. Unintended consequences.”

Raven nodded, her expression darkening. “It’s not something we touch. Too unpredictable. Too cruel when it goes wrong.”

Nikolas turned to Saphira, concern flickering in his eyes. “Why?”

Saphira leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll tell you in a moment.”

Raven gave her a look–curious, concerned, but respectful. She didn’t press. Just nodded once, slowly.

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CHAPTER 140

Saphira nodded back. “Thank you.”

:

The witches gathered their things and left, Raven lingering a moment longer before following. Her gaze lingered on Saphira, full of questions she didn’t voice. Then the door closed behind them, leaving Saphira, Nikolas, and Jed in the quiet.

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The door clicked softly behind the witches, leaving only the quiet hum of magic in the air and the rustle of parchment on the table. Saphira stood still for a moment, her fingers brushing the edge of the map. Then she turned to Nikolas and Jed, her voice low and steady.

“There’s something you need to know,” she said. “But it stays between us. For now.”

Nikolas straightened, sensing the shift in her tone. Jed leaned forward slightly, his arms resting on the table, eyes narrowing with focus.

Saphira took a breath. “It’s about Amara. What the Silvermoon pack did to her.”

She told them everything–how Cassandra had isolated her, how the witch had used unnatural magic to sever her ability to have children, how Amara had been pregnant, and how they’d taken that from her too. Her voice didn’t waver, but her hands curled into fists at her sides.

Nikolas closed his eyes briefly, jaw tightening. Jed’s expression darkened, his fingers flexing against the wood grain of the table.

“I don’t want this spreading,” Saphira said. “Not until we know if anything can be done. I don’t want whispers behind her back. She deserves better than that.”

Nikolas stepped closer, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. “You’re a good friend,” he said softly. “A sister.”

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