Page 5 of A Bolt of Magic

I nod once and step back as she closes the door.

The gods be cursed. This is terrible. I was so sure I would be able to convince one of them, and I couldn’t.

I failed.

The chances of escape are little to none without a witch at my side.

There won’t be another opportunity. It’s tomorrow or…I’m doomed to go back to the mines. It’s backbreaking labor and soul-destroying at that. I was only down there for a year, and I nearly lost my mind.

I start to trudge down the hallway and stop in my tracks. Then again, maybe I’m going about this all wrong. I scratch my chin, the stubble catching.

There is another option. A last chance. One I must take.

3

Kian

I make my way back down the hallway. If I’m caught now, I won’t be able to talk my way out of it, but I don’t care. I’m doing this. I have to convince one of these witches by the eclipse around noon tomorrow, or all will be lost.

I find her door. According to the black paint, it’s lucky number thirteen. The smooth wood of the door feels cool beneath my knuckles as I rap twice. The sound echoes down the hallway, a slow double-thud that seems to reverberate in the silence of the court. Long moments pass. My heart beats faster with each one.

I knock again, a little harder this time.

Come on! Come on!

I’m sure she’s in there.

“What is it?” the witch asks as she opens the door, rubbing her bloodshot eyes. Her brown hair is disheveled, and her clothes rumpled. She looks like she hasn’t slept in days. “Who are you? What do you want?” Her voice is groggy. Her gaze goes from tired to wary as she takes me in.

“We met earlier…” I use my thumb to point down the hallway. “Well, not officially. I’m—”

“I remember. Rhiannon didn’t seem to like you much, either. What do you want?” she snaps.

I find myself wondering if all witches are this touchy or if I bring out the worst in them. Perhaps it’s a bit of both.

“I’m trying to partner up with—”

“Not interested.” She shakes her head. “I’m in no mood to be partnering up with anyone. I need to sleep for a week… If only that were possible,” she mumbles to herself. “Maybe if I weren’t so tired.” She yawns, giving me the once-over. “You’re certainly attractive enough.” Her eyes flare like she hadn’t meant to say that. Like she’s shocked that the words even came out of her mouth. “For a human. But I don’t have time for such things. I need rest.” She tries to shut the door, but I put my foot out to stop her.

“Apologies, no, um…you misunderstand me.”

She thought I was here for…that. And even considered it, albeit her consideration didn’t last very long.

Now that I actually take her in, I realize that under her tousled outer appearance is quite a beauty. Her eyes are a mesmerizing shade of hazel, like sunlight filtering through a dense forest canopy. She’s a little on the thin side but still has curves. I lift my gaze back to hers. There’s a vulnerability there, a weariness that makes me feel sorry for her. I can’t help but wonder what trials she has endured to leave such a mark on her spirit. Then again, I can well imagine. These fae are bastards. Most of them are, at any rate.

“I didn’t come here for that,” I say softly, my voice betraying a hint of sympathy. “I need your help to escape this place. We can help each other get out of here.”

Her tired eyes snap to mine, a glint of defiance sparking within them. “Escape?” she mumbles, looking defeated in thenext instant. “And how do you plan on doing that? We’re surrounded by fae, powerful enough to crush us with a flick of their wrist or a thrust of a sword.”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what comes next. “I have a plan,” I explain, keeping my tone steady. “But I can’t do it alone. I need someone with power, someone like you.”

She studies me for a long moment, her gaze piercing through me as if searching for deceit.

“Please, just hear me out. My name is Alaric.”

She folds her arms and looks me in the eye. Hers narrow. “How many witches did you approach before coming to my door, Alaric?”

I lick my lips, looking down at my feet before looking back up at her and holding her gaze. “You are the fourth.”

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