Page 60 of Cursed

Before I can register that I’m separated from them, the lead Enforcer illegally opens a portal right in the damned hospital and orders his officers to drag the three through.

I jump to my feet and chase after them, but the portal snaps shut just as I reach it.

I roar with anger, loss, and sheer terror.

The half-troll Enforcer behind me grunts as he comes to.

Kicking him in the face, I knock him out again.

I race to find Branden because I saw through the portal exactly where the traitorous officers took my mate… Ravenhollow Asylum.

My blood ices at the thought. My limbs feel numb as I charge out the front doors and scan the area for signs of Branden or Rourke.

I see them in the forest, fighting off several Enforcers.

Rourke hasn’t shifted, probably because he doesn’t want to hurt Myra, and the space is too tight for his dragon’s size.

But his claws are out, and he’s slicing at anyone who gets close to him.

Branden is occupied with two mages firing spells.

I plant my feet on the ground and call upon the earth’s spirit to do my bidding. The ground rumbles, and roots shoot up, wrapping themselves around the Enforcers and quickly ending the fight.

Calling Branden and Rourke, I feel a bit of relief when I see Rourke picking up the tiny form of Shayla’s friend in his arms.

They meet me at the tree line, and both look over my shoulder at the hospital. They know I wouldn’t leave Shayla on her own.

The only reason I haven’t already fallen to my knees in grief is that we might still have a chance to get her back.

“Asylum! Now!” I snap at Branden.

“Shit!” He realizes what I mean and immediately creates a portal to the cursed place.

We all peek through the portal and see we are too late. All three of our coven disappear behind the huge, frightening iron doors of Ravenhollow.

I fall to my knees now. This will be no easy rescue mission. We are properly fucked.

The portal snaps shut before I leap through and risk myself in what would be a stupid attempt to get them out of there.

Branden creates another portal, drags me to my feet, and pulls me through it to the forest just outside of our sanctuary.

He’s about to collapse from using up almost all his magic.

Rourke follows us, looking as if he’s ready to rip apart the world to get to Shayla. I’d join him.

The portal seals shut.

We all fall to the ground, unwilling to go on without the love of our lives.

20

LOCK IT DOWN

LANDIS

When I open my eyes, I find I’m in a small, dark room. The bed underneath me is lumpy, and someone rests across from me in another bed. For a brief moment, I want it to be Shayla, and then I don’t. Not because I don’t want to see her, but because I want to believe she escaped the Enforcers. But I’m pretty sure that didn’t happen.

I blink several times and focus on the body to see what situation I’m in. Friend or foe? Will it be one of my coven mates?

---