Page 91 of Silverproof Damsel

“What’s happening?” I whispered, afraid of the power erupting through us. “It’s electrical. The power it is releasing is . . .” I didn’t get a chance to finish speaking as it exploded through the room.

Rhys’ powerful arms wrapped around me, holding me as it knocked us to the ground. The groans and cries of the others inside the house confirmed it wasn’t only us who were affected by the strange electrical zing of the silver and obsidian connecting and becoming one powerful explosion.

The moment it let up, Rhys stood, then helped me up to my feet. Winchester and Nyota, along with Cole, Mikel, and Savage,exploded into the room, each one wide-eyed and uncertain of what had occurred.

“What the fuck was that?” Cole demanded. His eyes were bluer than I’d ever seen them before.

“Call Talia, Cole. Get her over here now.” Rhys’ demand caused Winchester to clear her throat. Turning to face her, he wrapped his arms around my lower body. “She’s the most powerful witch within a thousand miles of here. We need to know what just happened. Whatever it was, it happened to all of us.”

Chapter Forty-Three

Talia’ssmiletoldmeit wasn’t good. The witch looked entirely too smug for it to be good news. She’d examined me first, then moved on to Rhys, who looked uncomfortable with the way she poked and prodded him. The frown that marred his lips caused mine to twitch with a smile, threatening to tip the corners up.

“Can you feel your demon-half?” she inquired, which caused the hair on my nape to rise.

“No. I can’t feel his maddening hunger. The need to continually feed has lessened,” he admitted. Turning toward me, he spoke gently as he held his hand out, indicating I should accept. Placing mine in his, I scooted closer to him. “Use your power, see if the curse is invoked.”

“Not her,” Talia stated confidently. “Remington has her own Silversmith cure. She’s carrying your child. Her own, personal Van Helsing.”

My jaw dropped at the realization of what she’d stated dawned on me. That was why the curse had been lessening, thenvanished altogether. Rhys’ eyes sparkled as his thumb rubbed over the inside of my palm.

“That explains that mystery, Love.” Leaning over, he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“I can do it,” Winchester stated. As she summoned her silver, the Van Helsings tensed with weariness.

I felt the call to summon my silver as it sang through the air. Closing my eyes, I leaned against Rhys’ solid, powerful frame. The hand I held lifted, revealing silver and black vines slithering beneath my flesh. A small smile played on my lips as I looked over at Winchester, who released her hold on her silver.

She stood beside Cole, a worried look pinching her delicate features. “It’s gone. The curse is gone.”

“I believe you two are the cure. A Van Helsing and Silversmith had to fall in love for the curse to be removed. It’s cause for celebration. You’ve removed the bad blood between your bloodlines with the creation of a child from both. The witch who cursed you wasn’t as creative as I am, though.” Her eyes sparkled with mirth, which gave me pause.

“You cursed us all?” I asked carefully, uncertain how the others would take the news.

Talia had been biased in the feud as the best friend of Verity Van Helsing. To curse one, she’d been forced to curse the other. Whether by choice or by design, it had connected both bloodlines.

“I wasn’t the witch who placed the curse. If it had been me, my grief would have ensured no Silversmith was able to survive it, Remington. I’d lost my best friend. Verity was my person, as Nyx is to you. How far would you go to avenge her death if she’d been murdered as Verity had been?”

“I’d have rain fire down on them,” I admitted without hesitating. Glancing at Nyx, who leaned against Acyn, I smiled sadly. I’d burn the world down for her.

“Indeed.” Talia stood but swayed as she reached for her head, causing all the Van Helsings to rush to her aid. “It’s nothing. I merely rose too quickly. Stop fussing over this old woman. Raven, Morgana, help me to the car.”

“You’re unwell?” Rhys asked, his face revealing the panic he felt. Talia was like a mother to him and his siblings. She’d been so since the day Donte murdered Verity.

Patting his cheek softly, she smiled warmly. “Don’t fret over me, darling boy. I’ve no intention of allowing the reaper to take me anytime soon.”

Raven smiled tightly at me, but there was worry in her violet eyes for Talia. Morgana also held worry pinched over her delicate features. In silence, we watched them as they left the house in a noticeable, slow gait.

Once the witches had exited the room, all eyes turned back on us. Rhys grabbed my hand, then turned to Winchester with a tight smile.

“I’m taking her home with me. You and I both know she won’t be out of danger until she gives birth. I’m certain you don’t wish to hear your baby sister screaming my name, either.” Pulling me behind him, Rhys strolled toward the entryway.

“That’s not happening,” Savage said, stepping in front of our departure.

“Excuse me?” Mikel demanded as he stepped up beside Rhys.

Sig cleared his throat, then leaned against the wall beside us. “I think what my sister is saying is, if you’re taking our baby sister out of here, it’s because she wants to go with you. Remington isn’t a child by any means. Not anymore.” His eyes pegged Savage with that jab. “But if she’s leaving, it needs to be her choice.”

My throat constricted as I turned to Rhys, who merely smirked in response. Slowly, he began to kneel before me. My heartbeat spiked to a dangerous crescendo as he produced an intricatesilver band with tiny tendrils of obsidian threaded throughout it. A diamond sat in a rose clasp, shimmering with perfection.

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