Page 59 of The Witch and His Crow

‘That’s not going to happen.’ Caym continued his attempt to blind me. I didn’t know I was stepping backwards, out the way of his wings and reaching talons, until the hard press of a body bumped into my back.

‘This is becoming a habit,’ Arwyn said, his breath warming my skin.

Caym was before me, Arwyn behind me. I felt trapped and, worst of all, powerless.

‘Fine,’ I shouted, but Arwyn clapped a hand over my mouth.

‘Do me a favour and keep your voice down.’

My lips brushed the callouses of his skin. Arwyn’s grip was firm and yet gentle. I could tell he didn’t wish to hurt me, but he also wasn’t going to release me until he trusted I would behave.

Arwyn released me slowly, just as Caym perched himself on the straw floor by me feet, glaring defiantly up at me. Did he forget he was one swift kick away from being booted back outside?

Oh.The idea came thick and fast.

‘Caym, you’ll go instead.’

‘What?’ He squawked, although there was no denying the relief in his mental voice. Maybe because I was no longer insisting on going outside myself.

‘Romy is out there, and you either let me go, or you go. The choice is yours.’

We both knew the choice wasn’t his at all. Caym belonged to me—he was my familiar. Although he would act like my guardian, when it came down to it, he was powerless to refuse my commands.

‘I will not leave you.’ Caym panicked, his shrill screech only adding to my headache. I caught Arwyn out the corner of my eye, one of his brows raised as he attempted to work out our one-sided conversation.

‘Yes, you will. You saw what’s out there. If we’re safe here, you’ll go and find Romy and bring her to us.’

I wouldn’t even contemplate the option that she was beyond saving. I trusted she was skilled, that she knew how to fight.Maybe she had found another protected place like this, or maybe she also had someone looking out for her as Arwyn had with me.

My heart sunk at the thought of other contestants out there. Not out of fear for them, but because they would try to kill Romy if she was standing in their way of reaching the end of the Witch Trials.

Like Jaz. The ruthless witch who had already put a target on my back. Salem. The man who I refused to believe was a Witch Hunter, even with all signs certainly pointing that way.

‘Go,’ I said, breathlessly. ‘Go now, Caym.’

‘It’s been three days, there is no saying this Romy is even…’

‘Go.’

The stone circle had dampened my Gift, but the bond between witch and familiar was untouchable. That was old magic, and clearly it existed still during this time. I could only imagine that was why Caym was even here. That we existed beyond the rules of the hallowed grounds of the castle. That our link existed beyond time and space as a construct. I was glad he was here, even if I was desperate to send him on his way.

‘I’m sorry, Caym. But this is the only thing keeping me safe. If you don’t go and find Romy, I will.’

Caym’s eyes focused, as though some invisible tether snapped into place.

‘Tell the witch that if harm comes to you, I will personally gouge his tongue, feast on his entrails and take pleasure devouring his brain,’ Caym warned as he became airborne and circled overhead. I watched him, part of me longing to apologise, withdraw my command, and beg him to stay. But helping Romy was a priority that burned hotter inside me than any other want.

I side-eyed Arwyn, who watched on with impressed intrigue. ‘Caym said he’ll miss you.’

‘I’ll pluck out his pretty eyes!’ Caym screeched, ‘tell him, Hector. Warn him.’

‘Actually, he said something about eating your pretty eyes if you let any harm come to me.’

Arwyn’s amused grin seemed to widen. ‘He thinks I have pretty eyes?’

I refused to reply. Pretending I didn’t hear him was the only option when it came to Arwyn and boosting his already bloated ego.

‘You can tell your little crow that you’re in good hands,’ Arwyn added, eyeing my familiar as he flew towards a small glassless window at the top of the barn. ‘Promise, cross my heart and hope to die.’

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