Page 40 of Cursed Magic

I suspected he didn’t want me to see his reactions, but tough shit. I edged between him and the wall of the porch so that I could see everyone’s face. Nonverbal cues were even more important than words, and not everyone realized that. Sort of like most people didn’t realize using sour cream in the batter would make a cake moister and richer.

The air shimmered faintly in front of Elara, indicating that her magic continued to strengthen within her. “I’m not insinuating anything. I’m telling you the truth. The magic within you—whatever it is—ties you to Iskaria. If she’s alive, you’ll still be affected by the spell that links you two. But if she dies…”

Ryker fisted his hands, his knuckles white. “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“And that is why you shouldn’t mess with things you don’t understand.” Elara shook her head. “You’re connected to her as long as the spell is a part of you, but if she dies, there will be nothing left to sustain the spell.”

I watched him, my pulse racing. There was something in his eyes, something he didn’t want to admit even to himself. Whatever he had done, Elara must be right. He hadn’t thought it through.

Raven looked skyward. “What exactly has he had done to himself?” She turned toward Elara for answers.

A muscle in Ryker’s cheek twitched. For the first time ever, I caught a glimpse of defeat in his eyes before the sheen appeared, covering the color once more.

“It’s not my place to tell you.” Elara crossed her arms, making it clear that we’d overstayed our welcome. “Butwhat I will say is this: You deserve a warning. Whatever bargain you made, whatever spell you’ve tied yourself to, it’s not something to be taken lightly and may result in horrible things happening.”

Ryker cleared his throat. “I’m fine.”

“Are you?” Raven placed a hand on her hip. “Because ever since you left the mansion alone that one day and came back, you haven’t been acting like yourself.”

“Yes, I have,” Ryker snapped, his voice rising. “Is there anything else you can tell us about the cloaking?”

For a second, I thought he might attack Raven, but thankfully, he reined himself in. Whatever spell was on him, he had desperately tried to hide it and clearly wasn’t happy that he’d been outed. Little did he know, Raven and Queen Ambrosia had known about it since the day he’d had the spell cast on him.

Raven messed with her phone, perhaps messaging Queen Ambrosia to inform her that Ryker’s secret had finally come out.

Despite my dry mouth, I placed a hand on Ryker’s arm for support. However, the electricity that usually sprang up between us was gone. My wolf whimpered loudly in my mind.

For a moment, I didn’t think Elara was going to respond. Then she took a shaky breath and dropped her arms. “No, I can’t tell you more. Like I said, witches with that power are rare and usually stay isolated. You have a better chance of locating her than I do.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m assuming witches can sense each other’s magic and figure out where one would most likely be.” We weren’t stupid, and she had to realize that.

“Even if I had more to tell you, I wouldn’t.” Elara’s eyes darkened. “I gave you more information than I should, so begrateful, especially after you broughthimhere. Iskaria made an unfortunate decision, and I fear the repercussions will impact all of us.”

Ryker unclenched his hands. “If that’s all, then we’ve taken up enough of your time.”

Of course he’d be eager to leave.

“Yes, you all should be off.” Elara gestured in the direction of the parked car. “The sooner you’re off my property, the quicker I can try to forget I ever learned any of this information.”

Raven chuckled harshly. “It’s always the same with your kind, isn’t it? So quick to dismiss the debts you owe, thinking your own interests supersede those of the people who have supported the witches through the centuries.”

“The debts you claim I bear were created by my ancestors. Not me.” Elara flushed. “My people have and will always come first. The vampire queen may have her own power, but at the end of the day, it’s the well-being of my species that matters most to me.”

Raven’s teeth elongated, and her irises blurred crimson, evidence of her rising anger. “How noble. Yet you forget that, without our queen, you wouldn’t be standing here today. The debt you owe is not just in coin or land but in loyalty. And loyalty, Elara, is something you seem to be sorely lacking. It has been noted.”

“Make sure you put in bold that I stand with my sisters.” Elara lifted her chin, unflinching at the clear threat that had been lobbed at her feet. “And I gave you more information than I wanted to, so please share that detail when you speak with the queen. Now it’s time for the three of you to leave.”

“Gladly,” Ryker muttered, taking my hand and leading me back to the car. I glanced over my shoulder to see Ravenand Elara still glaring at each other and even more fiercely with the two of us gone.

I dug my feet into the grass, wanting to stay and watch, but then they parted without another word. I had no clue what the stare-off meant, but my gut screamed that we needed to understand what the exchange was about. It seemed like more than just Elara not wanting to provide information to the vampires.

“We need to move, Ember,” Ryker rasped and tugged on my hand. “Being here for as long as we have isn’t good.”

Yeah, I bet he felt that way. His touch didn’t tingle, telling me the spell on him had activated once again. I sensed only a very minute hum.

I pivoted and picked up the pace to the car. Within two blinks of an eye, Raven was on my other side, slowing to keep pace with us.

She glared at Ryker, but he ignored her and opened the passenger door for me before climbing into the back seat behind me.

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