Page 45 of Cursed Magic

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Let her go,” Ryker croaked, sounding weak but determined.

Foster spun around just as Ryker lifted himself up enough to wrap his arms around David’s throat, flailing wildly.

David staggered, struggling to keep his grip on Ryker. With his free hand, he grabbed Ryker’s hand, removing it from his neck. “Chill the fuck out. We’re trying to help you,” David rasped.

I had to get to Ryker. I had to stop this. My heart thundered against my rib cage. This wasn’t going to end well if I didn’t intervene.

“The fuck you are! Ember’s trying to break free.” Ryker lifted his arm, and I saw that his reopened knife wound had stained everything red. He didn’t stop, muscles taut with distress. “Let her go, or I’ll rip your throat out.”

Foster rushed over so fast the wind blew my hair into my face. I relaxed in his grip, not wanting Ryker to hear me trying to get away anymore.

“Ryker, listen to me.” The wind stopped, and we stoodonly a few feet from Ryker. His gaze found mine, one eye covered by the blood running down his face. He blinked, and I had no doubt that he was hurting. I continued, “I’m okay. I just wanted to be put down. You’re hurt. Please—look at me.”

Ryker’s wild look softened, and he stopped fighting David. His grip on the vampire loosened, and he took a shaky breath and grimaced. His attention remained on me.

Finally, maybe we could get him calm and try to stop the bleeding. I took a deep breath…then anger sparked in Ryker’s eyes.

“Donottouch her,” he seethed. He straightened and pressed his hands on David’s shoulder then dropped to his feet.

“What the—” David muttered.

Ryker took an unsteady step toward me.

“Let me down.” I fought again to get free, and the iridescent sheen covered Ryker’s irises once again. I turned and whispered to Foster, so low that no one else could hear in the chaos, “It’s for your own good.”

“But you can’t—” Foster started.

“You heard her,” Raven said, her voice echoing in the clearing. “Put her downnow.” She appeared between Ryker and us, blocking Ryker from me.

Ryker took another step, but his legs were shaking. Blood dripped from his reopened wound. He staggered, pain etched deep into his features. “Get your handsoffher.”

“Listen to hernow,” Raven repeated. She moved to my side, her gaze steady as Foster lowered me to the ground. Then she wrapped an arm around me.

My stomach knotted. Even though I appreciated what Raven was doing, I didn’t need or want her help either. I’d find the strength to stand on my own, or I’d damn well crawlto the vehicle. Anything to get Ryker calmed enough to get care. “You’re hurt—”

“Not like you two are.” Raven shook her head. “I’ll be fine.”

“Let me help too,” Foster insisted, but before he could touch me, both Raven and I moved so that all his hands caught was air.

Ryker snarled and tried to lunge; however, it was more of a stumble. “Get away from her, or I’llkillyou.”

“But—” Foster flinched.

“We’re fine,” Raven spat. “You’ve done enough for the night. I’ll take it from here.”

He lifted both hands, which were now coated in my blood. “Understood.” Then he stepped away.

The tension flowed out of Ryker’s body, and he tried to step toward me again. “Lil rebel,” he breathed.

I tried to go toward him, but my knees buckled. Despite being mere feet from each other, we might as well have been miles apart.

“For Fate’s sake.” David rolled his eyes. “All three of you are a mess. It’s only going to get worse if we don’t get you back to the mansion and tended to.”

Ryker swayed dangerously, and David barely caught him before he hit the ground.

“I’m okay.” Somehow, I understood that he needed to reach me as much as I did him. The urge to get to him had me damn near frantic to just touch him. “Let’s get in the vehicle so we can go back to our pack.”

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