Page 36 of Wicked Fate

Good point,Xander replied, rocking back on his heels.What could really go wrong?

For the love of Fate, please don’t challenge her.Gage blew out his cheeks, reminding me of a puffer fish.

I smiled a little, but I understood the sentiment. I firmly believed that Fate hated me—we didn’t need to tempt her further.

“All I want are some fucking answers because I’m tired of losing pack members.” Bruce scratched the scruff on his chin. “I don’t care how we get them.”

Ryker scoffed.I understand that all too well.

He had to be talking about his own soul-cloaking spell.

We lapsed into heavy silence, until the front door creaked open.

Cassi stepped in slowly, her expression unreadable. Her eyes flicked to me first, then Ryker, and finally to Reid. She folded in on herself, not looking like the strong, confident witch I’d seen before.

Reid stood and winced. “We need to know how the vampires are masking their scent to smell like shifters. Is there a spell that can counter the one they’re under?”

Cassi blinked. “Witches can’t cast a spell to make someone smell like a different species. It’s about the balance of power. We can’t manipulate what the goddess inhibits.”

My stomach dropped, and the walls seemed to close in on me.

Reid frowned. “So you’re saying it’s not possible?”

Wringing her hands, she nodded. “Unfortunately, no.”

“So we’re back to nothing,” Gage muttered.

Cassi’s gaze shifted to me. “Not exactly.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean?”

Her face lit up a little. “I stayed up all last night, and I came up with a plan.”

CHAPTERELEVEN

Iwaited with bated breath but tried to keep my head on straight. She’d already manipulated us once; who was to say she wouldn’t do it again? We had to play it cautiously and check for hints of lying or manipulation.

Ryker didn’t say a word, but a flare of annoyance burst through our bond like lightning licking across my skin. Sharp. Hot. Dangerous.

“Care to elaborate?” Reid arched a brow.

Is he being serious right now?Xander’s surprise could be felt in his words.

Yeah,Gage chimed in.We can’t trust the witch bitch.

The corners of Cassi’s lips tipped upward. “Since Ryker has that spell on him, I can use it to locate the witch who cast it. We might get some answers from her even if she’s not with the vampire queen. And if she is, then we’ll know where they’re hiding and re-strategize.”

Hope bloomed in my chest...which had to be dangerous. Every time I thought we had a way to get answers, it never seemed to pan out.

The fact that no sulfur had permeated the air made it even more challenging to squash that sensation.

“What do you mean exactly?” Bruce pushed off the wall and stood upright. “No wordsmithing or tricks.”

She nodded. “I can do that.” She lifted both hands in surrender. “When a witch casts a spell, they use a piece of their magic. When the spell is completed, it leaves a faint essence of the witch who cast it, but you can’t locate them with it because it’s not tied to them any longer.”

All nine of us studied her intently, searching for any sign of a lie—avoiding eye contact, touching her mouth or throat, or scents that shouldn’t be there.

“However, the spell she cast on Ryker uses a strong magic that only a handful of witches have. Limited powerful ones who are one of a pair of twins,” she continued. “When twin girls are born, one of them will be gifted with a super rare and strong power, one of which is cloaking. When a permanent spell like that is placed on an individual, a thread of power constantly links them to the witch, unlike when a temporary one is placed. “

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