Page 72 of Cursed Love
She shook her arms free and pushed her hair from her face. Expelling another breath, she shut her eyelids again. The magic along her skin rolled and expanded, and she gathered every bit of it and pushed her connection to Ryan’s.“Damn it, Ryan, I’m going to kick your ass after all of this!”Her mental shout snapped into the void of their connection, and a strange crackle reverberated back at her.
“Ah!” Brandy shouted, gripping her head with both hands.
“What happened? What’s wrong?” Concern filled Peter’s face as he searched hers.
“I don’t know. My shout boomeranged back? I’m not sure.”
“That’s great!” Serena called from the forgotten phone on the couch cushion. “Someone’s blocking you two. Now do it again, but be ready for it and call outinverto. Let’s see if you can’t create a hole in their design.”
“Ready?” Peter asked, and Brandy nodded.
Her eyes unfocused as her lids dropped again. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and shouted at Ryan. Brandy was ready for the sizzle of magic and shouted, inverto! The answering pop didn’t hurt her head, but rather, the familiar buzz made her heart skip a beat.
“If I get my hands on the asshole blocking you!”she shouted, shoving every ounce of power she held into it.
She prepared for the echo and countered. Brandy searched their connection as Peter guided her to the couch. After doing it another two times, she fell back against Peter’s arm.
“What did you get? Did you do it?” Serena called.
“We’ll call you back,” Peter said and ended the call. “Take a breather, babycakes. I’m going to get you some tea.”
Memories of Ryan and their time together flashed through her mind. Every minute between them mattered and had brought them to where they were. She wanted more time with him. Hell, they had created life. Whoever was keeping him from her would pay. Now she knew what it was to be loved and cherished like no man outside her family had ever cared for her before, and she refused to give it up. It was no wonder the women before her had failed at denying their mates.
Peter offered her a protein bar. “Here, take a bite and drink some water while the tea cools.”
“I’m not hung—”
He pressed the bar to her lips. “Eat it. If not for you, for my godbaby. You need your strength, Brandy.”
Her gaze raised to his, and she noticed the worry lines around his eyes. “It’s killing you to not be out there searching for him.”
“He’s my brother in all the ways it matters, but he’s entrusted me to keep you and the baby safe. I trust my pack to do their job.”
She bit into the bar, and the moment the flavors burst on her tongue, she shoved it into her mouth like she had not eaten in years.
“Taste good?” Peter chuckled.
She shoulder-checked him and focused on each savory bite. Peter grabbed the wrapper from her hand and passed her a water.
A few minutes passed in silence. It was far from comfortable, as they both were eager to get Ryan back. The air around them vibrated with anxiety and fear. Brandy was relieved to have Peter at her side, guiding her and backing her up. “Thanks,” she muttered.
“For what?”
“Everything…”
Peter pulled her into him and kissed the top of her head. “Babycakes, you’re the little pain-in-the-ass sister I never wanted. Omphf.” His breath caught when her elbow connected with his stomach. “I was kidding! Testy, testy!” He held her tighter and grabbed a hold over her arm before she could get him again. “Look, I’ve watched Ryan do what he could to avoid finding his mate. When you popped onto his radar, I was excited for him. Not all of us are lucky enough to find our other halves. I get why he was reluctant, but I’d do anything to finally feel whole.”
His voice was sad and resigned to the life he led. Brandy’s heart squeezed. “Will you release my arms so I can hug you?”
He eyed her skeptically. “No more elbows?”
“Shut up, you big baby!” After hugging him tightly, she loosened her hold and pinched his side.
“Ouch! What the hell was that for?”
Brandy shrugged as she picked up her tea.
“You got a mean streak,” he muttered.
