Page 36 of Cursed Magic

He stalked around the table toward me until our faces were only inches apart. “I’m saying we can’t afford to lose you,” he whispered.

My lungs stopped working. “If we don’t work together, then the next time, the shadows might kill one of us, if not both. You can’t protect me from everything.” My voice wasbarely above a whisper. “And even if you could, I wouldn’t let you. I’m not some fragile thing that needs to be coddled. I’m a shifter, Ryker. I can fight. I can handle myself.”

We stared at each other, tension crackling between us like a live wire. Then, without warning, Ryker reached out and brushed my cheek. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through my entire body. I wanted to step closer to him and feel more of what was between us.

“You don’t understand.” Pain etched lines into his face. “If something happens to you…I wouldn’t survive.”

I turned my face away and took a step back, needing to clear my mind. “It’s still not your decision. I want to tell you to stay put too, because the thought of you in danger kills me. But it’s not my place to circumvent your decision, and if I try, all we’ll do is argue.”

He closed his eyes for a long moment before opening them once again. “You’re right, but dammit, I hate the thought of you leaving this place. It’s the safest location we’ve got for now.”

Memories of the cold caress and the unfamiliar yet delicious floral scent that I’d detected for seconds flashed through my head. It had happened here, and the Blackwood witch couldn’t have been messing with me with her magic. With their safeguards, the vampires would’ve known. So what had that been? “I’m not sure if we’re truly safe here either.”

He scowled. “I guess you’re right. Fine. I’ll link with the pack and let them know where we’re headed, and we can go to the car.”

I relaxed. The argument between us was over…at least for now.

He reached out again like he wanted to take my hand but stopped himself.

My heart sped up, and I wasn’t sure if it was from anticipation, disappointment…or maybe both.

He turned and strode out the door. I followed, ignoring the twinge in my heart from him not taking my hand.

It was better if we didn’t get more invested in each other.

At the front door, I linked with Briar.Ryker, Raven, and I are going to visit a witch the vampires are familiar with to see if she can provide any insight into the magic being used by the Blackwoods.

Be careful. I can’t lose you—for so many reasons.

Her worry swelled into me, and I replied,And I feel the same way about you.

The bright sunlight was a blinding contrast to the dim interior of the mansion. A black Mercedes SUV gleamed in the driveway, engine humming, the vampire queen’s statue behind it giving the impression that the queen was watching us.

“Are we all ready?” Raven called from behind the wheel.

Ryker nodded, opening the front passenger door for me before awkwardly climbing into the seat behind me.

I slid into the seat, feeling cool air brush against my skin. The leather seats creaked softly as I settled in. Raven put the car into drive, and soon the mansion dwindled in the rearview mirror.

“How far away is the witch?”

“About five miles,” Raven answered, and then we fell into silence.

My mind churned. I didn’t know what was to come or if this would get us any answers. I just hoped the witch didn’t ask for too much in return.

Raven navigated the winding roads, the only sound thehum of the engine. The woods around us were dense, the trees casting ominous shadows on the ground, reminding me of the attackers.

I turned my attention to the window, watching the trees blur past. Sunlight filtered through the glass, but even its caress couldn’t chase away the chill of the unknown that settled in my bones.

After several minutes, the trees thickened, and Raven’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. My pulse quickened. Ryker stayed silent behind me.

“It’s right here.” Raven nodded at a turn up ahead.

We took the curve, and a clearing with a wooden cottage sitting in the middle appeared. It was small, almost diminutive, but there was nothing quaint about it. The thatched roof was a tangle of moss and overgrown vines, and the walls seemed to lean inward as though the house were listening. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, carrying the faint scent of burning herbs—something sharp and unfamiliar that made my nose twitch. The windows were small and round, their panes cloudy with age, giving the illusion of empty, staring eyes. To one side grew a garden of herbs, most likely for spells and potions.

Raven pulled up about ten feet from the front door and parked.

“We need to stay close to each other,” Ryker muttered and opened his door.

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