Page 12 of Curses and Casualties
Jules’ eyes widen as she gingerly picks up one of the shimmering heartstones from Georgia’s outstretched hand. “This... this is more than enough,” she murmurs as she turns and grabs a mortar and pestle off the shelf. “I only need half of this. So the other half, I’ll take as payment. The rest of those shards should be guarded with your life—trust me, they can be a bargaining chip in times of need.” Jules begins crushing one of the stones with practiced precision, a fine dust shimmering like captured starlight forming in the bowl.
“Thanks, Jules,” I say, watching Georgia as she drops the remaining shards back inside her pouch before burying it back inside her pack. “Is there anything else you need from us?”
Jules shakes her head. “This ritual will take some time. So I suggest you make yourselves comfortable.” She nods toward a small seating area in the corner of the room. “I’ll need the next few hours at the very least.” She pauses, looking between Georgia and me with a knowing grin. “And just a heads up—your Soul Bond is throwing off some serious energy. Like, I can literally see the connection between you two. It’s all sparkly and shit. Super cute, but also kind of intimidating. No wonder the Elders are freaking out.”
We settle into the seats, watching as the witch starts to add more ingredients to the mortar, chanting under her breath as she grinds everything together. A thick smoke rises from the concoction, and the room begins to fill with the scent of lavender and sandalwood. The magic makes the air shimmer like heat waves, and I can feel it prickling against my skin.
Scarlett closes her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm herself. The witch dips her finger into the mixture and draws a symbol on Scarlett’s shoulder over the mark. The moment her finger touches skin, the symbol flares with silver light before sinking in. Then she strains the mixture into a tiny container and adds ink to the top of it, stirring the two together.
“Tattoos don’t tickle,” she says, holding her gun above the magicked ink. “But this...” She pauses and dips the needle, “is gonna hurt like a bitch.”
“I’m ready.” Scarlett takes a steadying breath and grits her teeth, the buzzing of the tattoo gun filling the quiet studio.
Georgia settles beside Scarlett, whispering encouragement as Jules chants, each word weaving into the air like a thread of static. Magic pulses through the room, electric and raw.
Pack sister hurts,Kane whines, pacing restlessly in my mind.Want to help. Want to protect. Can’t do anything.
I know, buddy. Me too.
Georgia leans closer, her eyes locked on the delicate dance of the needle and magic. “You’re doing great, Scarlett,” she whispers, offering a reassuring smile despite the tension written in every line of her face.
Scarlett nods, lips pressed tightly together. The pain is evident, but she’s strong—stronger than most. Her resolve is something that’s always amazed me, the way she faces everything head-on, no matter the storm.
Hours pass slowly, with Scarlett enduring the painful process with an incredible stoicism. Georgia remains by her side. I sit in the waiting area, bouncing my leg restlessly. Ethan paces the tiny space in front of the door, his agitation growing with each pass. Every time Scarlett winces or makes a pained sound, his jaw clenches tighter.
“I’m gonna keep watch outside,” he says abruptly, his voice rough. “Make sure we weren’t followed or anything.” Before I can respond, he’s slipped out the front door. I frown after him.
He cares for pack sister,Kane observes.More than pack caring. Mate caring.
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too.
“Do you think he’s OK?” Georgia asks, leaving her perch beside Scarlett to join me in the waiting area. Her presence is instantly calming, the subtle pull of our Soul Bond grounding me as her warm hand finds mine.
Through our bond, I feel her concern mixing with exhaustion. I send comfort back, trying to ease her worry.
“I think he’s just being cautious,” I reply, squeezing her hand gently. “But he might also be struggling with seeing Scarlett in pain. He cares about her more than he lets on. Some fresh air will help clear his head.”
Georgia’s understanding flows through our bond, tinged with sympathy. “Poor Ethan. It must be hard watching someone you care about suffer and not being able to do anything. But what if he runs into trouble outside?”
“Ethan can handle himself. He’s a trained soldier, remember?”
Georgia nods, but she still looks worried. My gaze drifts back to Scarlett’s tense form under the buzzing needle.I hate that she has to endure this. I should have done something more, stopped the Alpha before he even had a chance to sink his teeth into her.
“You and Ethan both know that none of this was your fault, right?” Georgia’s voice startles me, and I realize she just heard that through our bond. “No one could have stopped the Alpha in that moment. Especially not in the middle of the full moon ceremony with the entire pack around. There was nothing any of us could do. We’d all be dead otherwise.”
My chest clenches, and the memory replays of Scarlett’s eyes warning me to stay away when the Alpha had her. I hate that I couldn’t help my friend. “I know,” I murmur. “But it doesn’t make it any easier to see her go through this. I should have done more to protect her sooner. Shouldn’t have let her use her relationship with the Alpha to help us...” I swallow hard, unable to finish the sentence.
Georgia tightens her grip on my hand, her eyes softening with understanding and a hint of sorrow. She shares her own guilt about dragging everyone into this situation. I send reassurance back—none of this is her fault either.
After a while, she rests her head on my shoulder and sighs.
“I should get back to Scarlett,” she whispers, and I press my lips to her hair, breathing in her comforting scent.
“Of course,” I reply, releasing her hand with some reluctance.
It takes another solid hour before, finally, Jules sets down her tools and lets out an exhausted sigh. “It’s done.”
Scarlett’s shaking body stills, and she lets out a shuddering breath. “Thank god.”
