Page 22 of A Witch Out of Time
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I awoke with a start as myizbasuddenly stopped walking and sank to the ground. Pulling aside the curtain surrounding my bed, I saw Nox was already fully dressed and standing with his back to me, arms crossed and stance rigid as he faced the open window.
The familiar scent of pine and sea filled the hut, causing me to crave my Rider again before realizing it wasn’t coming from him. Wrapping my robe around me, I descended the ladder and joined Nox at the window, gasping when I saw nothing but fathomless blue.
The ocean!
“We’re about five miles from my grandmother’s house. Whatwasher house,” Nox grimly spoke, his expression sour like the words had an unpleasant taste.
Leaning out into the icy wind, I saw nothing on either side except walls of granite, windswept pines, and endless sea. I retreated into the warmth of the hut and frowned up at him. “How can you tell where we are?”
“I just know,” Nox replied, staring straight ahead as if he could see past the horizon to what lay beyond.
I briefly wondered why we’d been broughtherewhen suddenly I remembered some cultures imagined the afterlife as being beyond the ocean.
Another doorway to the Nav.
Extreme agitation was rolling off my Rider—like waves crashing over jagged rocks. I assumed this was probably due to being so close to home again after what had happened.
“Would you like to stop at her house on our way back?” I asked, attempting to ease some of his stress, although I still didn’t know the entire story.He blinked in surprise, and for a moment, something like sorrow shot down our bond.
What are you not telling me?
“Sure, Vasi, on our way back,” he attempted a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Before I could interrogate, a loud roar from outside shook the hut. I gripped Nox to steady myself and watched in amazement as the sea parted in front of us, creating a clear path to travel.
“How fucking biblical of him,” Nox muttered, his dark brown eyes narrowing with signature distrust.
As the hut made no move to walk out onto the newly exposed ocean floor, I quickly dressed and helped Nox gather supplies before we disembarked on foot. At the water’s edge, I hesitated, and Nox glanced down at me in amusement. “Are you scared of the water? I’ve heard witches float.”
“It’s not that,” I began, chewing my lip in concern. “I draw my power from theforest, but out there…” I gestured vaguely before meeting his gaze. “What if I can’t summon enough to protect us?”
Nox leaned down and deposited a searing kiss that made my toes curl. “Let me save your life for once,” he smirked. Suddenly, his head snapped up, attention riveted on something that sent a burst of alertness down our tether.
I followed his gaze and sharply inhaled at the figure I saw standing between the parted waves. I’d expected Veles to appear, but the woman now walking toward us—red hair blowing across her pale, freckled skin—was even more familiar.
“You! Yousavedme from Koschei,” I stuttered, dumbfounded that the mysterious woman who’d pulled me into the river and to freedom hadn’t been a hallucination.
Her green eyes twinkled mischievously, reminding me of Tan for some reason. “That I did. I am Marena, goddess of winter’s death, rebirth, and dreams. I hoped you’d recognize me. It’s why I insistedIbe the one to greet you this time, so you would understand we mean you no harm.” Her gaze swept over both of us, her tone holding a hint of desperation. “Vasi, Nox, please come join me in the Nav. Veles needs your help. Both of us do.”
Chapter 18
Nox
The Nav was the last place I ever wanted to set foot in again, but no way in hell would I let Vasi go there without me. I’d been right to assume that finally fucking her would erase any part of me that was still stubbornly resisting my destiny. But, now that I’d been inside her—now that I’d enjoyed a goddamn religious experience while balls deep in the most magic of magic pussies—there was no going back. It wasn’t even about the sex, as mind-blowing as it was. Vasi wasmine,and I needed to start acting like someone worthy of her.
Which means I need to face my past. Eventually.
I’d told Vasi more than most about what happened to me when I was younger. Tan also knew. But it was pretty fucking crucial for you to understand what sort of man you’re dealing with if they’re going to protect you from a bullet in the back. Once Asa showed up, I’d assumed Tan would run his mouth enough to fill him in on what he needed to know to work with me.
I gritted my teeth at the thought of Tan being trapped in the underworld this whole time. As soon as we got there, I would make them take us to him, regardless of whatever “help” was needed from us. Being physically unable to move a muscle while watching Veles literally rip my closest friend’s guts out had wrecked me. I needed to know if he was all right and whether I needed to disembowel a god in return.
“Easy,” Vasi laid her little hand on my forearm, her touch immediately calming whatever beast was threatening to emerge. “We’re safe with her, Nox.”
I nodded, although I didn’t trust this redheaded goddess for a second. Vasi said she’d saved her from Koschei, but that could have been for any number of ulterior motives. I was equally guilty, but knowing all the shitty ways my witch had been treated during her long life made me want to murder people.
Including supernatural creatures.
