Page 35 of Cursed Magic

Ryker’s expression darkened, and he turnedaway and began pacing the room with a restless energy. “I don’t trust witches. They’re unpredictable, dangerous. We can’t just go around seeking them out like they’re some kind of miracle solution.”

I suspected the witch Raven was referring to was the same one who’d cast the spell on Ryker, but he wasn’t lying. He didn’t trust them. Otherwise, he’d reek right now.

Tossing a knowing glance my way, Raven countered, “What choice do we have? We don’t fully understand witch magic; they keep the way their magic works secret for a reason. If we want to understand what the Blackwoods’ witch is capable of, then we need insider knowledge.”

The tension between them was palpable. Ryker’s reluctance was clear, but Raven’s determination was equally so. She moved closer to him, her presence commanding attention.

“Think of the bigger picture, Ryker.” I added my voice to hers. “If we don’t act, more lives will be lost. The packs are already on edge, and without answers, they’ll turn on each other. If this witch is willing to give us information, it could change the entire game.”

Ryker paused with his back to us, his broad shoulders rigid with tension. For a moment, the only sound was his heavy breathing. Then, slowly, he turned. “Why would they tell us anything?”

“A witch might feel betrayed by one of their own working so closely with a wolf-shifter pack, especially if they’re eliminating entire packs. One of the widely known rules among all species of the supernatural is that we must respect balance. A witch aiding the Blackwoods is not respecting that paramount rule. Another witch might see it as a betrayal, a violation of their species’ ethics.”

“Exactly. Desperate times call for desperate measures.If our neighboring witch is willing to cooperate, even reluctantly, it could be the key we need. But,” Raven added, her voice dropping, “we must be prepared for the consequences. If she’s willing to help us, she won’t do so without reason. And that reason could come with a cost.”

Ryker’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “Still, she might not want to help us,” he argued, his voice low and rough. “Why would she risk her own kind’s wrath? Some would see it as treachery.”

He was right. I hadn’t taken that into consideration. “It still doesn’t hurt to ask. The worst she can say is no or not come to the door.”

“Don’t think she’ll help out of the goodness of her heart.” Raven’s tone was steady and firm. “She’ll expect an offer of something in return. Protection, perhaps, or information she might find valuable. There are always those who are willing to take risks for the right incentive.”

Ryker’s head hung low as if the weight of the world rested on him. “And what if she refuses? What if she turns on us, uses her magic against us?”

Raven shrugged. “We’ve worked with this witch before, and she’ll not want to earn Queen Ambrosia’s wrath. Worst case, like Ember said, she’ll say no and ask us to leave.”

He growled, the sound low and menacing, and then took a deep breath. I could tell the suggestion grated on him, and I did believe he felt like this about the witches in general, but I suspected he feared the knowledge of what he’d done would come out. Whatever magic had impacted him, he clearly didn’t want anyone to know about it.

“Fine,” he bit out, the words sharp and clipped. “We’ll go visit your witch.”

Even though it was the right call, I tensed. Ryker was upset, and part of me wanted to say never mind because Ididn’t want him to feel discomfort. But this whole thing was bigger than him, than me, than everyone in the house. The whole supernatural world could be at risk. Who was to say that the killers wouldn’t turn on the witches too? I didn’t understand their plan since they were targeting multiple species, but it couldn’t be good.

“I’ll get a car brought around for the three of us to visit Iskaria.” Raven glided to the door.

But as soon as her hand touched the doorknob, Ryker snarled, “Ember isn’t going. She needs to stay here where it’s safe.”

A bubble of laughter caught in my throat. “Not happening. I’m going. This was my idea.”

“Agreed.” Raven nodded. “Be ready in twenty, and we’ll head out then. I’m going to call Queen Ambrosia to inform her of our plan.” She slipped out the door, which shut with a loudthump, leaving Ryker and me alone.

Suddenly, I felt pressure all over my body, as if I were submerged under water. Ryker faced me from the other side of the table, a vein bulging between his eyes.

Clearly, the conversation wasn’t over.

“You’renotgoing.” He took a step closer, his movements deliberate, each muscle in his body coiled and ready to spring. The bandage beneath his shirt was visible through the fabric, a stark reminder of the wound he’d barely survived. Yet, despite his injury, there was no weakness in his stance. He was every inch the alpha, commanding and unyielding.

I held my ground, my heart pounding in my chest. “Ryker, listen to me—”

“No, you listen,” he cut in. “You’re not going. It’s too dangerous. You’re not some soldier to be sent into battle.You’re—” He stopped as though the words had caught in his throat.

“Reckless?” I finished, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “Or maybe just a liability?” I added, a hint of bitterness creeping into my tone.

His lips pressed into a hard line. “You’re not a liability,” he rumbled, his voice softening slightly. “But you’re also not invincible. Your sister needs you, and you know the risks. Why would you even suggest this?”

My blood boiled. I knew what he was doing by playing the sister card. “It sounds pretty safe, based on Raven’s take. And this war needs all hands on deck. Briar made me understand that, and it’s why we stayed. I’m going. Besides, it makes more sense for me to go than you. You’re still healing. You can barely—”

“I’mfine,” he snapped. His hand went to his side, where his injury was. The movement was quick, but I caught the flicker of pain that flashed across his face before he masked it. “If that’s why you’re going, I don’t need you putting yourself in danger because of me.”

“It’s not just because of you.” Now that he’d brought his condition to my attention, I realized there was no way in hell he was going anywhere without me. “I can’t let fear dictate my choices. I want to avenge my pack just as much as you want revenge for what they did to yours. It’s not fair for you to try to hold me back when I want the same thing as you.”

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