Page 77 of A Bolt of Magic

Xander gives her a shoulder bump.

“I didn’t because I’m stubborn and can be difficult,” she says quickly, her eyes on the ground. “I needed you to know. That’s all.” Before I can respond, she steps forward and pulls me into a brief but hard embrace that feels genuine. “Take care of yourself out there,” she murmurs. “And take care of him, too. Xanderwould be distraught if anything happened to Kian. And he’s grown on me.” She looks over at Kian, who is smiling.

When she steps back, Xander moves forward with his characteristic easy smile. “Sorry about the rocky start. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, McColl,” he says, clasping my hand warmly. “I hope this isn’t goodbye forever.”

“Me, too,” I say, meaning it. Despite everything, I’ve grown fond of these people. They’ve become something I never expected to find.

Damon and Kyrie approach next, and Kyrie’s eyes are bright with unshed tears.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” she says, hugging me tightly.

Once we let go, Damon extends his hand to me. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”

The words mean more than he probably realizes. Whatever happens at the Regana Mountains, whatever reception awaits me there, I know I have people who care about me. People who see me as more than just a failed witch.

“We had better get going.” Orion gestures toward Delphine, who continues to wait patiently.

Maxwell chooses that moment to let out a small cry from inside the cabin.

“I thought he was down for his nap, but I guess not. I’d better go,” she says with a laugh. We hug again, and Maya disappears into the cabin.

Kian clears his throat gently. “We should go. The storm is moving faster than I’d like.”

“Let’s go,” I say, shouldering my pack and taking one last look around at these people who have become so important to me in such a short time.

“Thank you and goodbye,” I say to all of them. And then, before I do something stupid, like start crying, I turn and followKian and Orion toward the waiting dragon, trying not to think about how leaving this place feels like leaving home.

It isn’t. The Regana Mountains are my home, and my coven is my family.

23

Kian

Delphine’s powerful wings beat against the air as we descend toward the base of the Regana Mountain range. The second peak is the one we call Witch Mountain, for obvious reasons. The covens live in the mountain, spilling over into the valley somewhere within the range. It isn’t lost on me that no one has returned from any expeditions to report back on the village’s actual whereabouts.

I remind myself that none have ever traveled together with a witch before, either. This situation is different.

The peaks loom above us, shrouded in mist and ancient magic that make my skin prickle with awareness. Even from this distance, I can feel the protective wards humming through the air.

The dragon settles onto one of the lower rocky outcroppings with surprising grace for something so massive, her claws finding purchase on the stone as she crouches low to let us dismount. I slide down first, then turn to help McColl, my hands automatically going to her waist as she lands beside me.

“This is as far as I can take you,” Orion calls down from Delphine’s back, his voice tight. “Your coven might see my dragon as a threat. They’d try to bring her down before we could explain.”

“You would be right about that,” McColl agrees. “I would hate for anything to happen.”

“Thank you for bringing us this far, my friend,” I tell him, stepping back and craning my neck to see him better. “You’d better get back to your family.”

“Indeed. I hate being away from them.” Orion’s expression grows serious as he looks between us. “Be careful, both of you. And Kian?” His green eyes lock with mine. “Come back to us.”

“I will.” I keep my eyes on his.

Delphine spreads her massive wings, and within moments, they’re airborne again, disappearing into the gray sky until they’re nothing more than a dark speck against the clouds.

Then it’s just McColl and me, standing at the base of the mountain that will either welcome me or kill me.

“Ready?” McColl asks, adjusting the straps of her pack. She’s changed into practical traveling clothes, and the sight of her dressed for adventure sends an unwelcome jolt of attraction through me.

I need to focus. This isn’t the time.

---