Page 19 of Witch's Fate

“Let go of my arm.” Her whole body vibrated with anger. She couldn’t stand next to him for another second.

He dropped his hand. She stalked to the other side of the room and turned her back to him, gazing out one of the big windows. Her reflection stared back. The color in her cheeks was high, her gaze bright. Kitty pressed herself against Sofia’s calf, her presence warm and comforting.

What the hell was she going to do?

She tried to aetherwalk one more time, straining to send herself home.

Nothing.

She’d never known anyone to be able to block another from aetherwalking. It was possible, of course, but took great power.

Which Malcolm had. There was no disputing that he was strong. And ruthless. He was willing to help—for a price.

But in return… Could she grant the favor? Something physical, she was sure.

The years had left Malcolm cold, selfish, and damaged. One minute he looked at her like he couldn’t get enough of her, the next, his gaze was arctic. Calculating. What had his life been like, that he’d turned into this?

Dark and lonely, no doubt. Power couldn’t keep one warm. He’d had centuries to learn that.

Sofia squeezed her wand tight. She wouldn’t feel bad for him. He’dchosenthis life. She’d tried to offer him the opposite. Love. Partnership.

He’d chosen power and become a cold, broken beast.

But he’d thrown himself in front of the High Witch’s lightning for her. That had been…unexpected. He would protect her, which meant that even if he’d kidnapped her, at least he didn’t intend to harm her.

And he lit her on fire. When he’d been kissing her, he’d wanted her to feel pleasure. No question. He’d liked making her feel good and he’d been immensely skilled. Everything she’d liked, he’d noticed and done more of it.

Maybe it was an ego thing?

Perhaps—and there was no doubt he had a huge ego—but it hadn’t felt like that. No one had ever made her come that hard before. Or had made her come without expecting the same in return.

Why?

She drew a blank, then shivered at the idea of staying with him, at the thought of whatever his next favor might be.

Not that she had much choice in whether or not to stay with him. If she fought him with everything she had, he might let her go. A fragment of the old Malcolm had to be inside of him.

But could she risk it?

His helpwouldbe invaluable. And though his demand for a favor pissed her the hell off, it intrigued her as well.

A boulder sat on her chest, but the situation was clear. She turned to Malcolm. “Fine. I’ll stay without fighting. I’ll pay your favor. But in return, you will do everything you can to help me save my village.Everything.”

His gaze lit with satisfaction as he nodded. He didn’t vow it or promise to stand by his end of the deal as a normal person might, but that was for the best. A warlock couldn’t. Fate would intervene if he did and then it’d all be pointless.

She’d have to trust him. The idea chilled her skin. But it was the best she had right now. “Do you know anyone in Salem we can go to for help?”

“No. First, I think you need to consider moving your village.”

She blinked. “Move it? I thought you were going to help me.”

“I am. Saving your people is your priority, correct? This ensures the High Witches can never get them. Moving your village might be best. Disbanding, even better.”

“So you think you can’t get the book?”

“I can get the bloody book. But more than that, I want you to be done with paying tributes to the High Witches. Since I can’t break that curse or deal or whatever it is you have worked out with them, removing the reason for your labors seems like the best option.”

“No! Never. It’s the only all-Mythean town in South America. And Central America. Mytheans need it! The ones who can pass for human could go elsewhere, maybe, but it would destroy their livelihoods. But the ones who can’t pass? They’d be screwed. There aren’t enough all-Mythean settlements. There’s no way we can move. The magic that hides the village is too ancient and too great to recreate. The village would be completely destroyed, my people scattered. Many of them have been there for generations. They helped build the town and they would die before leaving.” Tremors shook her as she considered his words. Kitty pressed up against her leg, purring like a motor boat.

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