Page 66 of Hexmate

He nodded. “And there’s something else I can feel now too.”

“What’s that?”

He looked up at me, a serious expression replacing his smile. “I can feel the binding curses placed on Karrick and Wild. The magic… it’s like a signature. Before I could barely sense it, but now it’s as if the person that bound them left a photo of themselves attached to their victims.”

My heart thudded in my chest. We wanted to save our friends, but I wasn’t expecting to find the culprit so quickly, especially when I was in such a weakened state.

“W-Who is it?” I asked, not sure if I wanted to know the answer.

“It’s Rowan,” he replied softly. “And I don’t understand why I’m surprised.”

That name sent a pulse of anger through my chest, my skin heating up immediately. Of course it was Rowan. He was the one that tried to drug me into doing whatever he wanted. And then he attacked Caden and tried to force him into a horrible situation. If there was one person at Widdershins that despised us both, it was Rowan.

“I didn’t realize he was capable of that kind of magic,” I said at last. “I’m not surprised he did it… I just didn’t think hecould.”

“He’s not,” Caden replied. “Not yet anyway. He’s a student just like me. While he and his friends are from powerful families, they’re still learning the craft. And that kind of magic isn’t taught here. I suppose he could’ve learned it at home, but it would require too much power to pull off so quickly. And he’d have to outsmart and overpower people first. Karrick is too strong to get taken down by Rowan and Wild is too clever. That’s why… I don’t think he’s working alone.”

I felt my jaw tighten. “Do you think a professor is helping him?”

Caden nodded, his expression grim. “Or worse. My father has friends on the board of governors. Powerful mages who wouldn’t think twice about using students as pawns. They already made it clear they want to split us away from the rest of the student body. This would only hasten their plans and give them an excuse to execute it sooner.”

I shifted to sit beside him, wincing as my muscles protested. The small private room—which was now completely covered in moss and flowers—felt different. The walls seemed to pulse with a new energy that hadn’t been there before. His magic must’ve changed the very fabric of the enchantment hiding this place from the rest of campus.

“Can you break the bindings?” I asked, watching as Caden’s fingers traced invisible patterns in the air.

“I can try,” he said, uncertainty flickering across his features. “But if I’m right about who’s behind this, we’re dealing with dark magic. Blood magic. The kind that gets people put away forever or executed by the Elder Council.”

I reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re stronger now. We both are.”

Caden’s eyes met mine, that new confidence wavering. Despite everything that had changed, he was still Caden—still the boy who second-guessed himself, who needed reassurance.

“That might be true,” he whispered. “But nobody knows that yet. And if we want to lure Rowan out and get him to spill his secrets, we’ll need to act as if nothing has changed.”

I nodded slowly, understanding what Caden was suggesting. We’d have to keep his newfound power a secret, at least for now. It wouldn’t be easy, especially with how much he’d physically changed, but it was our best chance at catching Rowan and whoever was helping him.

“You’re right,” I said, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips. “We’ll have to be careful. But we can’t just sit back and do nothing while Karrick and Wild suffer.”

Caden’s eyes flickered with determination. “We won’t. I have an idea, but it’s risky. We’ll need to get close to Rowan, make him think we’re vulnerable.”

A chill ran down my spine at the thought of getting anywhere near that bastard again. But for our friends, I’d do anything. “What did you have in mind?”

Caden took a deep breath, his fingers intertwining with mine. “The entire campus is on high alert now. Nobody will be out after dark alone anymore. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch Rowan off guard. We’ll be the bait and since he hates us both, it’ll be too tempting of an offer for him to pass us. I’ll even act like I’m still struggling with my magic to throw him off.”

“Bait,” I repeated, the word tasting sour on my tongue. “I don’t like the idea of putting you in danger again. Not after what we just went through.”

Caden’s eyes softened, but that new resolve remained firmly in place. “I’m not the same person I was yesterday. Neither are you.” His fingers traced the line of my jaw, sending pleasant shivers down my spine. “Besides, if we’re right about Professor Blackwood being involved...”

“You think she’s helping him?” The question came out sharper than I intended.

“She’s been preaching separation since the beginning. And she’s been telling me father every tiny move I make all semester.” Caden’s voice dropped lower. “It’s no secret she favors Rowan either. If anyone is helping him, it’s probably her.”

I sat up straighter, ignoring the protest of my aching muscles. “Would she really do this though? It seems kind of extreme.”

“So does segregating all the students and practically building a walled off section of campus just for witches. But both her andthe board think it’s a great idea. After the Dean’s announcement, we can’t deny what they’re trying to do.”

Caden’s words hung heavily in the air between us. I knew he was right, but the thought of deliberately putting ourselves in harm’s way made my stomach churn. Still, we had to do something to help our friends.

“Okay,” I said finally, squeezing his hand. “Let’s do it. But we need a solid plan.”

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