Page 79 of Cursed Love
“She’s not working alone, Serena,” Peter whispered, his voice filled with compassion.
Her brows raised. “She’s not?”
“Volark’s been after Brandy since her powers became unbound, and I’d smelled a witch working with his demons. Ryan’s being held and says there are too many. He doesn’t want us coming after him.”
Serena’s face blanched. “How could she?”
Ethan broke the silence. “I think I know where Ryan’s being held.”
“You do?” Brandy yelped. “Where, E? Where is he?”
Ethan looked from her to the others. “It’s a property James and Andrea flipped a few years back, on the other end of town. There’d been squatters, and it was a real mess, but I remember they kept this iron piece because of its intricate design. I’ve been working on my gift, and I saw Ryan there. That iron piece is a one of a kind. It’s gotta be where he’s being held.”
Brandy shot to her feet. “Then let’s go get him!”
Peter stepped in front of her and cupped her shoulders. “Whoa, hold on a minute, babycakes. We can’t go in there all willy-nilly. We need some sort of plan.”
“He’s right,” Xander said, meeting her eyes.
The kindness she found made her eyes prickle. Peering up at Peter, she sighed. “I need him back.”
He drew her into an embrace. “I know you do, and he needs you too. Everything will work out.”
Chapter 30
Life sucked.
Ryan had managed to avoid a real relationship his whole damn life. Then, when he’d least expected it,thereshe was. Not only that but now she carried their child, a child he would not meet nor have a hand in raising.
What a bitch life was, giving him what he had told himself he did not want, only to take it away.
A shuffle drew his attention from the right, and he stilled. The smell of rotten flesh permeated his nostrils as a demon passed. He’d lost track of how many supernatural beings were in this place.
The most shocking of it all was Aja. He could not believe the witch had turned sides, and for what? Power she would never have? No, she believed she would but was too naïve to see things for what they were.
They were both pawns in Volark’s scheme to get to Brandy. The only way he would achieve it was over Ryan’s dead body, which was a very real possibility if Ryan did not find a way out of there.
At least he could feel Brandy again. Whatever she did to finally knock down Aja’s spell had not only sent the witch off in a tizzy but calmed him. The urge to talk to Brandy was killing him, but he couldn’t. Or more like he shouldn’t.
The chances of getting out of this alive were slim. It would be easier on her if he pulled back. Ryan found comfort knowing she had not only her brothers but Peter to keep them safe.
His hair fluttered with a breeze, and the walls around him began to shake as the air moved faster. Ryan steeled himself for what was coming, willing himself to stay strong and not use his connection to Brandy.
The only time Volark wasted his time on Ryan was with Aja’s spell in place. It was a blessing in disguise, as the demon was determined to get his hands on Brandy by any means necessary.
If Volark was coming around, it meant only one thing. He planned on riding their connection to get to her. After all, having a witch as powerful as his mate would tip the scales to the other side. She was a one-of-a-kind prize.
Ryan nearly gagged at the permeating stench around the demon.
“Well, well, well, witch… Your stubbornness is rather impressive, but it’ll cost you your life. Are you sure you don’t want to do the honors? It would be better coming from you.”
When he opened his eyes, he tried not to stare into the large pit that was Volark’s mouth. His robes flapped around him with the constant swirl of air following him. Slowly exhaling, Ryan tried keeping his composure in front of the dangerous demon.
Aja stood behind Volark’s left side, with a smug expression on her face. Her eyes danced with pleasure at whatever hell Ryan was sure to endure. He could not remember ever seeing the witch express such sadistic behavior.
“I’ve already told you. I’m not giving her up.”
Volark made a strange sound, and the whites of his eyes were swallowed by the inky black color draining in, leaving two dark pits. Unease rolled through Ryan at the sight.
