Page 19 of Bearly Believable Romance

Just inches from her nose, the devouring sludge stopped as if it had hit an invisible wall. It spread out sideways across the road, never reaching any closer.

“What the hell?” The stranger stomped closer, throwing a dark ball of magic at her. It reached the same plane as the oil and dissipated into smoke.

The mage shrieked, balling hands into fists. “This isn’t over. Tick tock. Your time is up.”

The instant the magic wielder vanished, Tabitha rolled away from the remaining sludge. That was when she saw she was lying on the other side of the “Welcome to Whispering Pines” town limit sign.

She was inside the protective wards that surrounded the town. That was why the dark magic couldn’t get to her. The townsfolk saved her again. This time without knowing it. Or did they? Were the people notified when someone evil tried to pass through the wards?

Black nibbled at the edges of her consciousness and she welcomed its numbing embrace.

Distantly, Tabitha registered the sound of her name being called, laced with panic. Gentle hands cradled her face. She forced leaden eyelids open to find Ellie’s terrified face hovering over her.

“Tabby! Oh goddess, what happened? You’re bleeding so much!” Ellie’s normally melodic voice shook.

“Rogue... mage...” Tabitha managed to rasp. “Ambushed me. Wanted... to kill...”

Tears streaked Ellie’s ashen cheeks as she fumbled for her cell phone. “Just hold on, honey. I’m calling for help. You’re going to be all right.”

The world tilted and swirled sickeningly. Tabitha felt herself being lifted, cradled against a strong chest. Wind whispered past her ears. Then softness beneath her - a bed?

Familiar voices ebbed and flowed around her.

“...losing so much blood...”

“...need to clean the wounds...”

“...fetch my strongest healing potion...”

“...my brave, stubborn witch...”

That last one pierced through the haze. Bram. Tabitha turned her face into the large palm cupping her cheek, drawing comfort from his touch.

“Bram,” she whispered hoarsely.

“Shh, love. I’m right here. You’re safe now.” His deep rumble soothed her frayed nerves.

Other hands moved over her body, peeling away blood-soaked fabric, cleaning the deep gashes carved into her flesh. There was a sharp sting and Tabitha flinched.

“I’m sorry, dear. This salve will help prevent infection.” Luna’s calm, kind voice. Something cool and tingling spread across her injuries.

“Here, get this down her,” Elsie said, firm but worried. A cup pressed to Tabitha’s lips. She obediently sipped, grimacing at the bitter taste. Heat spread through her aching body.

With effort, Tabitha pried her eyes open fully. Four anxious faces peered down at her - Bram, Ellie, Luna, and Elsie. Bram looked haggard, his hazel eyes shadowed with fear. Ellie huddled at the foot of the bed, sniffling.

“Do I look that bad?”

Ellie shook her head but sobbed. “It’s the hormones.”

“What were you doing outside the safety of the wards alone?” Bram demanded gruffly, but she heard the underlying terror. “You could’ve been killed.”

“Coming home,” Tabitha mumbled. “Didn’t...didn’t know I’d be attacked.”

“Did you recognize the mage?” Luna asked gently.

Tabitha mutely shook her head. “Cloaked. Couldn’t see a face. But...”

“But what?” Elsie prompted.

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