Page 60 of Cursed Magic

“You’ll make sure that, if you tell her something, she’ll tell us too?” Xander placed a hand on his hip.

They still didn’t trust Ryker, but they trusted me and were willing to play nice with him. “I promise.” Going forward, I’d need to tell Ryker what I was informing Briar ofso he had the chance to tell his pack before she did. Trust was easy to lose and hard to build back up.

Gage let out a breath that sounded like surrender while Kendric lifted both hands and said, “Okay. But we’re counting on you, Ember.”

That wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but I’d take it for now. “Thank you. Now let’s get ready. We’re meeting Raven outside in a few minutes.”

The three of them headed off to the bedroom, and I walked down the hall to the bathroom Briar was in. I knocked on the door and linked,It’s me.

The door cracked open, and I entered, finding her already dressed. I quickly removed my clothing and sneakers then grabbed the black shirt and put it on.

What was all that about?She leaned against the sink, watching me.

Snagging the sweatpants, I pulled them on too.We can’t have them refusing to listen to Ryker at all, so I needed to talk to them. They’re going to put aside their issues for now, but they’re still skeptical.

Briar gathered her hair into a ponytail.What’s with the sudden change between you and him?

We talked and addressed everything with each other.I followed suit, twisting my hair into a bun and slipping my sneakers back on.It’s a long story, and I do trust him now, but if he ruins my trust again, there won’t be any salvaging what we have.

She smiled and kissed my cheek.I firmly believe that when he realized how much he loved you, he didn’t know how to tell you because he’d kept it from everyone for so long. He won’t make that mistake with you again.

He loved me.

I could’ve sworn that was what he’d been about to sayearlier before he stopped himself. My heart skipped a beat, and I exhaled noisily. I couldn’t get all emotional and lovey-dovey now. Not when there was so much at stake. This would have to wait.Let’s go.

The two of us walked out to find the four guys waiting for us at the end of the hallway. I nodded at Ryker, and he somehow understood and led us through the living room and out the front door. The Suburban waited for us with Raven in the driver’s seat.

Instead of Kendric, Gage climbed into the front passenger seat, which spoke volumes. Raven scowled as Xander, Kendric, and Briar got into the back row, Briar smack in the middle. Ryker and I took the middle row, with me sitting behind Raven.

As soon as we were all settled, she pulled out of the circle and headed toward our destination. Silence filled the vehicle as we sped down the winding mountain trail toward Blackwood territory. The air buzzed with stress, but we all knew this temporary truce was necessary if we wanted to make it through alive.

As we passed the narrow dirt road that led to our pack lands, Briar’s anxiety vibrated through our pack link. I glanced over my shoulder to see her glance down the road with glistening eyes.

Of course…that was why she’d been upset earlier. She’d realized we’d have to pass by our lands in order to get to the Blackwoods’ and might relive memories and the attack once again. I couldn’t offer her comforting words because nothing could fix the grief. The missing pack links of all our members were still ice cold in my chest, reminding me of what we’d lost. So, I did the only thing I could do.We’ll get justice for them.

When her unease receded and her resolve seeped intoour connection, she replied,That’s what I hope for, Ember. Justice, not vengeance. I need the Blackwoods to realize that what they did isn’t okay. That each individual life should matter.

Then that’s what we’ll do. We’ll make sure they remember them.

No more words were necessary, both of us focusing on the promise we’d just made. Soon we were driving through the woods past the Blackwood property line, heading to the area next to theirs, Shadowbrook National Park.

Once we pulled off the highway and maneuvered through gravel roads and thick woods, Raven took an abrupt turn that led to a little-used parking area.

Bruce was leaning against his huge pickup truck, talking to three men. As soon as Raven pulled in behind him and parked, he headed to our vehicle.

He came to my door and opened it while pointing deeper into the oak forest that would lead us to the edge of the national park and the Blackwoods’ territory. “Just through those trees. We’ll take a short hike in so the cars won’t be seen.” His gaze traveled over all of us, lingering on Ryker with a calculating look before focusing back on me. “Are all of you ready?”

Even Bruce didn’t fully trust Ryker. “We’re ready,” I said, climbing out of the car.

“Good. Let’s move and see what we can figure out.” Bruce nodded once, his eyes glowing as the other three men moved deeper into the woods and waited for us.

Ryker tensed beside me, but he stayed silent as we exited and joined Bruce alongside the vehicles.

Raven moved to my other side, and we followed Bruce and his three men deeper into the woods, with Briar,Xander, Kendric, and Gage taking up the rear. I tapped into my wolf hearing, finding nothing out of the norm.

We continued on, but then I did notice something telling—there weren’t any animal noises. The realization made my skin crawl, and I grabbed Ryker’s wrist. He glanced at me and squinted, but I couldn’t risk talking. Not now. What if we were being watched?

Bruce stopped dead in his tracks and spun around, his eyes glowing brightly. “The Blackwoods just discovered my packmates.”

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