Page 72 of Pure Magic
“They will all be destroyed when darkness falls. Why should you care?” She rolls her eyes.
She can never understand. Still, I answer, “I may not be able to control that, but I can save her so she’s with those who care for her at the end.”
“Tell me where you’ve been these last weeks?” She narrows her eyes. “How did you evade me after the scene by the church?”
If I lie, she’ll know. Telling her the full truth would lose the light it’s advantage. “Sara Beth Ware and I intended to stay away until after this day had passed.”
“Then why are you and your pretty little witch back? Couldn’t resist seeing my magnificence?” Her grin is as hideous as her black heart.
“Not exactly. Goddess told us you would use another.” I tilt my head toward Trina.
Frowning, Ariana studies me. “I accept your offer to take that one’s place.”
When she makes no move to reverse her spell on Trina, I warn, “Let her go, or there is no deal, Ariana.”
She flicks her wrist with another roll of her eyes. “I don’t know why you love them when I am your family. I am great, and they are weak. You could be great too, Adam. Why do you choose weakness?”
When Trina rises to her knees, I kneel next to her. “Go back to the camp at the stones as fast as you can. Don’t look back. Don’t ask questions.”
Terror alive in her eyes, Trina stands and looks at Ariana before rushing from the circle of light around the fire. She doesn’t look back.
I return to my seat and look at my sister. “You wouldn’t understand.”
She shrugs. “What do you see in the witch you’re bedding? Is it the sex? I quite enjoy that, but not enough to spend so much time with a man. Kaden refuses me.”
“He’s your brother.” I speak before thinking, and my gut twists.
“He is my servant. He should do as I command. I have considered forcing him with magic, but discovered long ago, men are not as fun to lie with when they are bespelled.” She examines her fingernails in the rising sun.
“Take the spell from Kaden now, please.” I need to know if he’s truly had a change of heart. It’s possible Ariana just enjoys controlling him.
“Why? He’s not harmed. I’d never harm him. He is my brother, after all.” She throws her cape from her shoulders with more drama than is necessary.
“I too am your brother, and it would please me if you would release him from this spell. Do you worry he will leave you?” I’m treading dangerously, but I already know my life is forfeit. I have told my love how I feel, and I saved Trina, at least for the moment. It’s more than I could have hoped for.
She mutters a spell, and I feel her dark magic push toward me.
Lifting my hands, I push the magic back, and it dissipates in front of me like a dark haze catching the breeze. “I’ll not be forced to do your will, Ariana. I have given my word, and that will have to be enough for you.”
Standing, she stomps her foot. “You are always so difficult. Never have you understood me or taken my side.”
“You killed our parents. What did you expect?” It takes all my will to remain seated. I’m glad to know I can thwart her magic when I know it’s coming. In the park, weeks ago, she caught me off guard. That will never happen again.
Snapping her fingers, she says, “Wake.”
Kaden blinks, spots me, and stands, ready to cast.
I hold up my hands for peace. “I’m not a threat, brother.”
Still disoriented, he looks at Ariana. “What is this?”
“Adam has joined us.” Ariana says it as if she’d always expected it. She looks at me. “Those people were going to have me bound. Did you know that? They were so upset that I had been forced to deal with those monsters at the Order that they were going to allow the coven to bind my magic forever.”
Looking confused, Kaden runs his fingers through his hair and backs away so he’s not standing between us.
So much sorrow that might have been avoided if Ariana had been bound eight years ago. “They told you they would bind you?”
“Pfft. As if they would be honest with me.”
