Page 48 of A Bolt of Magic

“Don’t—” I start to say when McColl holds up her hand.

“It’s fine. I understand. The witch community has kept to itself since the beginning of time. We don’t mingle with humans…ever. We had an understanding with the fae before Snow’s rule, but we were never on great terms. Since Snow, we have become full-blown enemies. It must be strange for you to see a witch and a fae on good terms, but here we are.” She looks at me in a way that has warmth spreading in my chest. “Go and have your meeting. I will be fine,” she tells me before looking at the others. “I hope that in time, you will learn to trust me, but I understand that trust is earned. Sometimes it’s hard-earned…which is fine.”

Once again, I feel that warmth in my chest at her words.

“I’ll get you something to eat, McColl.” Kyrie gives McColl a tight smile. Perhaps my explanation won over one person, at least. Damon still doesn’t look convinced, but he doesn’t say anything.

Orion puts a blanket over his wife. It is clear that his focus is elsewhere.

Xander gets to his feet and goes to stand next to his wife, taking her hand in his. He is standing with her on this.

I sigh. Perhaps I can convince them. I hope that I can.

“We’ll be right back,” I tell McColl.

“Take your time,” she says, following Kyrie to the hearth. “But not too long, or I will finish all the food.” She smiles, but it’s strained.

“Don’t you dare.” I smile back.

Thesha takes a lantern from the table, and we step outside into the cool evening air. We walk away, not getting far, when Xander’s wife turns to face me.

“I know you don’t know me, but…” She sighs. “You’re making a mistake trusting the likes of her.” She gestures toward the cabin. “I have had a few clashes with witches in my time, and none of them have been much fun. They are all evil b—”

“Thesha—” Xander starts, but she cuts him off with a sharp gesture.

“No, let me get this out.” She looks back at me. “I understand you’ve been through a traumatic experience, and we’re grateful this woman helped you escape. But you cannot let gratitude cloud your judgment.”

“My judgment is just fine,” I say, though I can feel my temper starting to rise.

“Is it?” She steps closer, her dark eyes boring into mine. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve got wool pulled over your eyes. You’re attracted to the witch. This is more than just a friendship, and it’s clouding your judgment.”

The accusation hits me hard. “That’s ridiculous. You don’t even know me. We only just met.”

She snort-laughs. “I don’t need to know you to know it’s true. I have eyes.”

“Thesha’s right,” Xander says in a soft voice that’s filled with pity. “It’s clear as day every time you look at her, the way your voice changes when you talk about her. You’re protective of her in a way that goes beyond simple gratitude or friendship. She is a beautiful woman, Kian. You would be blind not to notice.”

“She saved my life,” I say through gritted teeth.

“And conveniently gained access to three lost fae kings in the process,” Thesha fires back. “Do you have any idea what kind of information she could pass back to her kind? What kind of damage she could do?”

“She’s not working for Snow,” I insist. “She didn’t even know who I was when we agreed to help each other. You didn’t see what they were doing to her, how they were using her—”

“I’ve seen plenty of people being tortured and used as bait,” Thesha says coldly. “It’s an old trick, Kian. Break someone down, make them desperate, then position them perfectly to gain their trust in order to use them.”

“Thesha has a point, Kian,” Xander says. “Perhaps you are right, and she is exactly who you say she is…or maybe she’s not. We can’t afford to take chances. Not when we’re so close to having enough strength to challenge Snow. I don’t think we can afford to let a stranger in close, let alone a witch.”

“McColl isn’t a stranger,” I snap. “Not to me. You think I haven’t considered every possibility? McColl has had dozens of opportunities to betray me, to signal the guards, to use her magic against me instead of protecting me. She could have left me to die when that conjurer attacked us, but instead, she fought beside me.” I think of how she didn’t want anything to do with me as soon as she saw I was a fae. That isn’t someone with an ulterior motive.

No way.

No how.

“Or she could be playing a very long game,” Thesha says. “Witches are cunning, Kian. They’re natural enemies of the fae for a reason.”

“This witch is different. I’m beginning to think that as a community, they’re misunderstood.”

“You think she’s different? If I had a gold coin for every man who said that about a woman, I would be rich,” Thesha says with bitter amusement. “You’ll think that right up until she drives a blade between your ribs while riding your cock. Witches are not to be trusted…every last one of them.”

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