Page 16 of Cursed Magic

Silence filled the vehicle. I flexed my ankles, the needle pricks subsiding now that blood flow had returned.

Fatigue, coupled with pain in my back and wrist, engulfed me, making my eyelids heavy. The rhythmic purr of the engine and the gentle sway of the vehicle had me struggling to keep my eyes open, but then I glanced out the window, and it finally sank in where we were.

We had made it back to the mansion.

An iridescent sheen rolled over the lawn, faintly lighting up the dark night. It enhanced the Victorian sensibility of the stone edifice that towered in front of us. Dark green slanted dormers jutted above each window of the top floor, dim golden light peeking through thin white curtains.

A matching stone driveway circled in front of a square porch, and stairs led up to an arched entryway. A dark stone statue of Queen Ambrosia towered in the center of the circle, its long, flowing hair wisping out behind it.

The other two vehicles pulled up behind us. Some of my sleepiness ebbed, and I braced myself for the other guys’ stress and anxiety.

When Raven turned off the vehicle, the three of them were already opening the back door near Ryker’s head.

Kendric’s dark eyes scanned his alpha. Deep lines of worry were etched into his forehead. Xander and Gage flanked him, their bodies coiled with tension despite the exhaustion evident in the slump of their shoulders.

“How is he?” Kendric clenched his jaw and looked at me, not Raven.

I jerked my head back and cleared my throat. “He’s stable. His healing kicked in once we removed the knife. The wound has clotted and begun closing, but he’s still weak from blood loss.”

Gage’s shaggy, dirty-blond hair fell over his sparkling blue eyes. “We felt him getting stronger via our pack bond, which is why we didn’t try to get hold of Raven while we drove.”

“We need to get him inside and in bed so he can rest properly.” Briar bit her bottom lip. “That will help him heal.”

Nodding, Xander rasped, “Yes.” His normally tan skin had blanched, and his eyes somehow seemed more pronounced. “Two of us will need to carry him. Kendric, why don’t you get the top half, and I’ll carry the bottom?”

Gage stiffened, but then he sagged. He’d been close to death too. “What about me?”

“You need to rest nearly as much as Ryker does.” Raven climbed out of the vehicle and shut the door then faced the men. “I don’t know everything that happened, but that can be discussed later, since it’s clear you’re injured as well. You don’t want to drop him and hurt him worse, do you?”

Frowning, Gage crossed his arms. “No, but I’m staying right beside them in case something happens and they need help.”

Kendric and Xander carefully maneuvered Ryker out of the SUV, supporting his weight between them. Gage hovered nearby, ready to assist as promised. Despite their obvious exhaustion, they moved with practiced efficiency, bodies in sync as they lifted their alpha.

Ryker’s head lolled against Kendric’s shoulder, his faceashen in the moonlight. His shirt, torn and stained with blood, clung to his muscular frame. The sight of him looking so vulnerable sent a pang through my chest. He was usually strong and resilient. Everything about this felt wrong, and acid burned my throat.

“And you two need to get clean and rest too,” Raven said, nodding toward me. She had to mean the spot between my upper shoulder blades where the enemy had clawed me.

“A shower would be amazing.” Briar glanced down at her outfit. “I haven’t had a way to clean myself for way too long.”

My mouth dried, and my chest burned with anger over her being treated that way, but I’d caused enough problems tonight, so I kept my lips pressed firmly together.

The two of us followed Raven up the mansion’s grand stone steps. The ornate wooden doors swung open silently, as if by an unseen force. The foyer’s crystal chandelier cast a warm glow over the marble floors and richly paneled walls.

Our footsteps echoed in the cavernous space as we headed toward the living room and kitchen. Normally, the mansion wasn’t this quiet due to all the vampires that lived here, but right now we could have heard a mouse fart.

When we entered the living room, the usually immaculate space looked as if a whirlwind had torn through it. Plush velvet throw pillows were strewn across the floor, and an antique mahogany table lay on its side, one leg splintered. Shards of crystal from a smashed vase glittered on the Persian rug like fallen stars.

Half-empty glasses of what looked like blood dotted various surfaces, evidence of the vampires’ hasty departure to assist us. The TV hanging on the wall flickered, though it was muted.

As we walked past the kitchen, a little bit of normalcy kicked in. The spotless stainless steel appliances glistened, and the island had been left bare, most likely because the kitchen was rarely used by the blood-drinking vampires.

The guys didn’t hesitate, taking Ryker into the bedroom at the end of the house.

Raven turned to Briar and me, her violet eyes sympathetic. “You two need to get cleaned up and rest. Ember, why don’t you use the bathroom you’ve been using? I’ll show Briar to one of the other guest rooms with an en suite.” She placed a gentle hand on Briar’s shoulder and continued. “Come with me, dear. Let’s get you settled.”

Biting her bottom lip, Briar wore an expression of trepidation.

It’s fine,I linked.You even claimed to trust her in the SUV. You know that if I didn’t think you were safe, I wouldn’t allow you to leave my sight.

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