Page 58 of Cursed

Where the fuck are they?

I scan the ground to see if the Enforcers discovered them, but I don’t see any approaching footprints. I do see three familiar tracks leading toward the hospital.

Looking up, I watch helplessly as Shayla, Arden, and Landis disappear through the front doors of the facility.

Shit, she must have sensed Quade’s pain through their mate bond.

Wishing to chase after her, I only stop because I can’t just leave Myra here alone.

For the first time, I check to confirm that I indeed have the ailing mage in my arms and not just some random stranger. In all the commotion, I didn’t get a good look at the female I was stealing away. I sigh with relief when I see that this isn’t a complete loss.

Through my link with Shayla, I reach out to see if she needs me.

Even though she’s green in combat, her instincts have been good enough to get her out of trouble. I’m hoping that’s the case now.

Energy is swelling around my powerhouse mage. She’s pissed. Her protective hackles have been raised. She’s going to destroy them for daring to touch her mate.

I set Myra down before I accidentally crush her with my fit of nervous energy, which is running at unprecedented levels.

This has to be one of the most maddening things, to be so close and unable to help my coven.

I want to scream at the sky and curse the Goddess for this mess.

Then I feel it…

A battle has begun.

19

CRUMBLING

ARDEN

This is a horrible idea. But I chase after Shayla, not daring to stop her. She’s a swirling tornado of power. I’m honestly a bit afraid of it right now. Without intending to, she could hurt us all.

Just because we know she is some type of shape-shifter doesn’t mean a thing. We don’t know much about shape-shifters. And whatever Shayla is, it’s likely far beyond that. Otherwise, why would her father try to create something more powerful than himself to use?

I suspect most shape-shifters aren’t more powerful than an average shifter-mage. The fear we have always had of them is that they could trick us. We could be fooled into thinking we were talking with a friend and discover we had given away our secrets.

And supes are all about secrets. Even I have had a few.

Cursing, Landis and I hurry to keep up with Shayla, which is surprising since her legs are so much shorter than ours. I’ve never seen her move this quick… as if she now has vampire abilities. I suppose she might.

“What’s going on?” Landis asks, sounding frightened. “What are you planning?”

He’s not wrong about feeling that way. I’m terrified of losing her. Obviously, something spurred her to run toward the building.

“Quade’s hurt.”

I figured as much—that someone’s life had been threatened. This is all going to shit.

When we crash through the front doors of the hospital, we see down the corridor. Four Enforcers have captured Rourke and Quade. Branden is nowhere to be seen.

Rourke looks untouched and pissed. His hands bound, for all the good that would do if he were to shift or use an ounce of his incredible strength.

Quade isn’t walking but is being dragged down the hallway by two Enforcers, each holding one of his arms. His head lolls forward, indicating he’s unconscious.

When Rourke sees Shayla, his eyes widen in fear. Just with that look, I can tell he only hasn’t fought back yet to keep Quade alive.

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