Page 46 of Cursed Magic

He wiped the eye covered with crimson, and his face twisted in agony. “Only if you stay beside me.”

That wasn’t a hard ask. “Agreed.”

David reached for Ryker again, but he shook his head. “I willnotbe carried.” When Foster moved in my direction,Ryker turned toward him and snarled, “And you don’t get near her again.”

I had to mash my lips together to prevent myself from laughing. Even severely injured, Ryker refused to be carried by a male vampire. That sounded about right. His wolf wouldn’t allow his ego to be challenged and didn’t want anyone who was viewed as a potential threat near me.

“I’ll help her.” Raven moved forward.

Slowly, I moved in tandem with her, and David supported a part of Ryker’s arm that didn’t have any wounds to assist him.

The five of us finally made it to the vehicle, and a lump formed in my throat.

Briar.

If over fifty vampires had come here to help us, that meant the mansion wasn’t heavily guarded right now.

Are you okay?I linked, tugging on our pack connection. As the pack alpha, I could feel her emotions a lot more than when I’d been just a member of the pack. Nothing seemed out of sorts other than the concern she’d felt when we left, and our connection was warm, meaning she was awake. Still, I needed to talk with her.

She answered immediately.Yeah, are you? I’ve been worried sick, but I didn’t want to ask and distract you if you were in the middle of a situation.

That was something Dad had howled into our ears our entire childhood. When we knew he was going to attend a meeting, we were not to interrupt unless it was a life-and-death situation. I used to think he was being dramatic, but now, thanks to having to handle true life-and-death situations, I understood. It wasn’t just having conversations; I was strategizing and having to evaluate word choice, motivations, and body language for clues.

I told her about the first witch going missing, most likely abducted, and then what had happened with the second witch just now.

What? Fifty vampire guards left here, and they didn’t tell us you were in danger?The heat of her anger pulsed through our connection.And you and Ryker didn’t alert us about it either?

Guilt sat heavy in my stomach. Reaching out to her hadn’t even crossed my mind. But now I realized why—I didn’t want her to be in danger when we were so outnumbered.You’re fifteen minutes away. You wouldn’t have gotten here in time, and there were easily over twenty attackers.

How would you feel if I were in that situation and I didn’t contact you?

I cringed so hard that the pain shot through my head once again, making me gasp. She had a point, and I didn’t want to admit it to her. So instead, I tried the only option I had left.Ryker is severely injured. He needs food and hydration. Can you work on that for him? His old wound has reopened, and he has cuts all over his face and arms. And I’m sure Raven needs blood. She’s hurt too, but not as bad as Ryker.

Ryker’s breath came unevenly, and his steps faltered. The world around me spun even faster. Even a Tilt-A-Whirl ride didn’t make me feel this dizzy.

What about you?

We reached the vehicle, and Foster opened the back door. I gripped the car roof and pulled myself into the vehicle. Sweat beaded on my forehead, but I persevered, getting into the back seat.

Ember,Briar exclaimed, pulling me back into the present.Are you hurt?

My initial impulse was to tell her no, but then she’d be even more pissed when we arrived at the mansion.

“I’m getting in the back seat with her,” Ryker rasped as he slowly lifted himself into the vehicle. I noticed David was assisting a little without trying to be too obvious.

I’m injured, but I’ll be okay.I had to be. I just needed to eat something and rest, and then my wolf-shifter healing would kick in.

Ryker slumped beside me, laying his head on the back of the bench seat with his face turned toward me, so close that his breath caressed my skin.

How bad?Briar insisted.

Unfortunately, she knew how I operated, which didn’t bode well for me.

Raven got into the middle-row seat behind Foster while David slid into the driver’s seat. Foster typed something on his phone as David pulled onto the road, heading back to safety.

I need to eat and rest too.I bit my bottom lip, ready for the explosion.

Ember Sinclair. How could you not tell me?Her concern constricted the bond.We’re a pack and family!

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