Page 179 of Claimed

“Only someone with the blood of a Young witch can remove this magic-suppressing necklace,” she explains. “I had assistance setting things in motion that would enable me to coerce this to happen.”

She gestures to Aphra and continues to explain. “I’m fairly confident it’ll work. We are a branch of a covenless collective here. Some witches without their coven, some without their magic, but with the knowledge to assist younger witches.” She touches her necklace. “It was fortuitous when Aphra came to us in rather rough condition after enduring your brother’s attention. Once she was well enough, we discussed some things and this led to me bargaining with your brother to acquire what Aphra would bargain for.”

“Her daughter,” I whisper.

I look at Aphra and frown when I see apology in her eyes as she looks at me, but just briefly before her eyes move to the spacebeyond me. She chews her lip and pain infuses her expression for a brief moment before she wipes it clean.

Of course she’d bargain however she could to get her daughter back, although I have no idea why she didn’t just use her magic against my brother herself. But what did Aphra do?

“Aphra was very weak and broken by what he did to her. Such attention can do immeasurable damage to a witch’s energy. But she’s building it again, building her confidence. You did well facing him today, Aphra. I’m very proud of you.”

Aphra doesn’t react to Soleil’s compliment, but Soleil seems unbothered and continues. “She helped by doing something that would incite my son to remove the necklace. He wasn’t very receptive when I tried to initiate contact, so caught up with the drama with you and your brother. Tired of waiting and having some bargaining chips working in my favor, I decided to nudge things along. To incite him to help because I’d share the anecdote to help that woman who’s in my place, sleeping with my soulmate.” Her pretty face goes ugly with jealousy for a beat before she, too, clears her expression.

She hurt Carrie? She’s the reason Grey had to rush to the hospital last night because Carrie collapsed and wouldn’t wake up!

She continues, “But our resident seer advised that my son easily undid the magic. Sheena, who left with Halla a few moments ago, she is a covenless witch who is still learning the craft, butseeshappenings. We wondered if he might be able to undo what Aphra did. Or if my niece Erica might be called in to undo that magic. I heard she’s the most powerful witch seen in generations. But Greyson easily eliminated it, so that’s an interesting and exciting development. Anyway, I had a secondary plan. So nowthisbargaining chip comes into play. Itwas fortuitous that Wyatt was able to get to you. He was asked to bring me Greyson or you, because our seer could see it could be either of you that’s able to help me.”

“I don’t understand. You’re going to hold me hostage so Grey will remove your necklace?” I ask.

“That could have worked. But I suspect my son would’ve balked. That moral compass he inherited from Graydon. This works better.”

“I don’t under-”

She leans in and places her palm against my belly, looks into my eyes and softly says, “There’s Young witch blood in you.”

Young witch blood?Youngwitchblood.

I startle as it sinks in.

She lets go of my belly and I immediately put my hand to it.

“There’s Young witch blood in your bloodstream now, and I already know it’s hearty from the things Sheena saw. Therefore, this should work. Part witch, part shifter. More shifter than witch in this case, but the witch blood is strong. It’s fortuitous my son was recently named coven leader for the Youngs and I suspect that’s a big part of why this will work. Such a formidable combination as it is with my son. As it is with Aphra’s daughter. I wouldsolove to see what sort of power he has. I hear it’s impressive. Though, some of it belongs to me and I intend to claim it back. And if this doesn’t work… well… he’ll come for you and he’ll have to help. Now… undo the necklace and set it on the table.”

“And then?” I ask.

“And then, should it work, I should be able to send you back to your mate.” She smiles again. And her eyes sparkle with something that’s quite blood-chilling.

“Why was your magic suppressed?” I ask.

Her mouth twitches with irritation. And I’m not sure if it’s irritation with me or with the situation itself.

But she says, “The magic in a part-shifter, part-witch is beyond enchanting. The temptation is so, so strong.” She wiggles her fingers and then shakes off some sort of daze before she straightens up. “Remove it and I’ll send you back to your mate. Refuse me and perhaps one of Aphra’s vials will cause you to miscarry.”

Aphra makes a sound of fury. Her face is red.

And I’m absorbing what was said.LikeAphra’s daughter? Halla smelled different today. And now I know it’s because Halla is part witch, part shifter. I never caught the wolf shifter scent on her before. Either Aphra was masking it or maybe it’s maturing in her. Child shifters don’t typically shift until they’re in adolescence. Halla is only four. Grey told me some alpha shifters do shift early, said he shifted the first time when he was a toddler.

Aphra’s not looking at me. I think she’s pissed on my behalf, or maybe she’s upset with Soleil if certain facts about this bargain weren’t disclosed.

Maybe she can help. I have to at least try.

“Grey and his cousin Danica did a locator spell to try to find Halla,” I call out. “You’re my friend, Aphra. I care about you both. I’ve been worried about you, and we’ve been worried sick for Halla when Wyatt disappeared with her. We were looking after her for you.”

Aphra’s eyes hit mine and I see remorse.

I continue, “But you told me I’m the key to things changing for my pack and you were right. So much has happened. I know you’re doing what you feel you have to do, I guess. But –”

Soleil raps her knuckles on the table to bring my attention back to her.

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