Page 64 of Cursed Magic

A dark form bolted ahead of me, cutting off my escape route. I tried to change course, but more gathered in my path, uniting to block my way. I halted, sharp agony from my injuries ripping through me.

Shadows swarmed from every direction, closing the gaps and multiplying before my eyes. I was surrounded. Trapped.

A claw sliced across my side, and I yelped and fell to the ground.

A massive shadow loomed over me, menacing anddeliberate, as if contemplating its next move. Its hand extended slowly, letting me know I was about to die.

Out of nowhere, a searing warmth burst between the shadow and me, and I had no doubt that I’d soon be heading toward the light.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The warmth dissipated as quickly as it had come. The shadows closed in, unfazed by whatever magic had hit us. If the shadows weren’t worried about it, then maybe this magic would make my death more tragic and painful than I had initially realized.

The dark limb reaching for me lowered toward my chest, making its target clear. I braced and flipped to my stomach, pain from my injuries exploding down my side and legs.

I lifted my head, preparing to attack, and the shadow struck. I bared my teeth just as its hand seemed to collide with a solid wall. The impact sent a shock wave through the air, leaving a ripple where there should have been nothing.

An invisible barrier? That shouldn’t have been possible, but the magic that surrounded me was now caressing my skin. The strange new presence inside me vibrated as if in tune.

The shadow recoiled and hesitated before striking again.

I flinched, hackles rising, but the shadow merelycollided with the invisible barrier again, causing an even bigger ripple.

Realization hit me: This was similar to the shield that had saved me during the attack on the Shae pack territory when we were freeing Briar. Whatever magic had guarded me then was protecting me now.

But how was that possible?

A chill bled in from behind me, and I spun around and found another shadow right on me. I steeled myself, muscles coiled for pain that didn’t come. Instead, another resounding shock wave echoed around me, and another shadow reeled back, unable to touch me.

I had no time to investigate the barrier. Most of the shadows that had followed me were going back, and I needed to rejoin the others. Gunshots continued to fire from that direction, and there was no telling what was happening. I headed forward, right into several shadows that tried to block me, but as I stepped toward them, the barrier pushed them away from me. The ripples were disorienting, but I had a mission that I refused to fail—getting back to Ryker, Briar, and the others. I had to protect them from the Blackwoods, and this barrier around me would help me do it—if it lasted.

Shadows lunged again and again, assaulting the barrier with relentless force, but no matter what, they couldn’t get to me. In fact, I couldn’t even feel them ramming into the barrier.

Despite the agony from my wounds, I increased my speed, needing to help the people that I loved—in fact, the only people I truly had left.

The gunshots stopped, which had my chest clenching tight.Briar, please tell me you’re okay.

Believe it or not, we are. Are you? Hurry back.Her dreadwafted through the bond, adding to the huge knot forming in my gut.I wanted to reach out to you but was afraid I’d distract you. The witch is here with us.

The witch.

I opened my mouth, my tongue rolling out as I took in deep, gasping breaths. I pushed myself to get there faster.I’m coming. Don’t worry.

It’s the Blackwood witch, Cassi. She’s confused by the magic she’s sensing here, but the shadows have retreated.

I glanced behind me, and my legs slowed of their own accord. All the shadows had vanished. This had to be a trick.

“I’m telling you, the Blackwoods would never work with a witch who uses this sort of magic.” Cassi’s voice was a little high with surprise or panic but still strong. “If they did, I wouldn’t be here with them. That would cross the line of what I’m comfortable with.”

“She could be lying,” Raven said quickly. “We shouldn’t trust her.”

“I hate to say this, but Perry is dead, and Reid is near death.” Ryker sighed. “The Blackwoods being behind this attack doesn’t make sense.”

Ryker.

My pulse pounded.

When I burst into the clearing, Reid’s pale form was the first thing I saw. His neck had a deep wound, and blood soaked his gray shirt. Cassi was leaning over him, applying some sort of ointment with practiced efficiency and pressing a cloth to his neck.

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