Page 81 of Cursed

With Hollis in his animal form, I itch to switch back to mine. When my dragon is in control, I always feel calmer. But I suppose it wouldn’t work this time since both of my halves are about to lose their shit.

As I glance at my coven mates, none of us are alright. Our nexus, our center, our heart, is hidden from us and is likely about to be drained of her life.

Goddess, I pray,please let me find her—rescue my heart.

After I do, my whole body begins to tingle—magic? It feels like Shayla’s magic, but all over.

“Does anyone else feel that?” I whisper.

We all turn to look at each other. Even Hollis’ wolf has his mouth open and eyes wide in shock.

“It’s Shayla,” Arden voices our thoughts.

Without a doubt about where she is any longer, we all charge down the hall. Arden’s mom chases after us.

My mate’s magic calls to me. I dread that the reason I feel it suddenly is that it has been unleashed. She’s either fighting or being drained. Fear of her death hits me hard.

Two guards fly around a corner and block our path. Without hesitation, Hollis launches at the closest one and sinks his canines into the male’s throat.

The other guard throws her hand out, and bullet-sized projectiles fly at us at a breathtaking velocity.

Branden dodges them with his speed.

Several of Landis’ shadows shoot out of his body and knock the projectiles back toward their owner.

Instead of hitting her, they drop to the floor.

Branden races forward and snaps her neck.

The wolf’s jaws are dripping with blood, and his opponent lies dead.

Arden’s mother gasps as she registers the destruction.

We stare at the double doors just ahead of us, sensing our sweet mage is behind them.

Arden hovers his hand over it. “There’s a ward over the door, locking us out.” Arden asks his mom, “What’s in there?”

She shakes, her terror showing through. “The draining room.”

My heart pinches in my chest to the point that I might not be able to function again.

Landis runs up to the doors and places his hands on them. After a moment, he turns back to report what he has perceived. “Shayisin there. I pick up four other energy signatures—an incubus-mage, a vampire, a dragon, and some other… supe.”

“Our fathers,” I deduce. “Shade will pull out her magic to give to the mystery person… likely Shayla’s father. And Branden’s and my father are here to watch it happen.”

Hollis growls. He’s getting impatient to get to his mate.

So am I, but I don’t want to mess this up before it even starts.

The professor shifts and helps Landis disassemble the spell.

While they work on that, I ask, “How are we all doing strength-wise?”

“I’m stocked.” Landis glances at Hollis. But I know he drains quickly without replenishing himself by feeding on emotions or sex.

“I’m good.” Branden looks like a drawn-back arrow ready to shoot into the room.

“I assume Hollis is drained.” I shrug. “And I’m half-drained from taking down the wards and my fire show.”

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