Page 60 of Wolf Spell

Biting his lip, he turned his head. “Elsa, too much blood has been spilled tonight. I say we take a rest. Mourn the dead tomorrow, I have nothing left. Tomorrow we’ll put both their souls to rest. And,” he frowned looking at his torso, “You’re right, I stink.”

I nodded and clung to his large arms. “Thank you for saving my life. Now we’re even.”

“I didn’t protect you. I almost failed you.”

“But you didn’t. I’d be dead now if it wasn’t for you. Your wolf. We were outnumbered. Whoever they are, their magic is beyond anything I’ve come across, or even heard of.”

His shoulders relaxed a little as he edged closer to me. “Yes. Hakon has done some research on this Adara cult. A secret society, their history goes back centuries. The witch trials in the seventeenth century? They were involved. As far as we know, and we don’t know a lot, they're obsessed with retaining order, their order on all supernaturals. Vehemently against the inter-marriage between supernaturals. You can imagine, Lucius has taken a keen interest, being a demon married to a shifter-mage. But he’s always tried to keep a low profile, now we know why. Right now, he’s in hiding with Emma. We will find a way to bring them down.”

He sighed. “Lucius is not hopeful to be honest. As for Marrock, most of his pack have fled. Austin told me that he and Hakon had been working with Luke. We need to stay away for twenty-four hours. Adara is probably even more hellbent now to sacrifice me, and you. Just because they failed on the anniversary of Loren’s death, they won’t rest.”

His lips curved, softening his worried face. “For now, you’re to rest. As am I. I may be immortal but I do need energy.”

“I’ll shower, please make yourself at home.”

Dragging myself away, my aching legs and feet trudged up the small stairway to the bathroom.

As the water heated up, I gazed at my reflection.

I looked like crap. Dark circles under my eyes, tired, my hair in a tangled mess and showered in blood.

The hot water cleaned not only me, but my soul. I felt too weary, too heavy for answers now. What was the energy that surged through me? That was some freaky magic, my dad trying to sacrifice me... I can’t even... And Adara. So, I knew Mattie had been there then, she’d had the invitation after all. I can only surmise that Becca and Josey were there, as well. As the water washed away the blood and filth, I remembered all the times I’d felt a little odd around them. A bit uneasy. I’d never again not trust that. Call it what you want, gut instinct, intuition. And I remembered when Josey vehemently told me she’d been accused of harassing a coven member, who had in turn left, but she, Josey was innocent. I know realised that was a flag. A giant red flag. And Mattie, well, she’d obviously sided with Josey!

As I got out and wrapped a towel around me, Lycaon tapped on the door. Opening it, he stood there holding a cup, grinning.

“Hot chocolate. Conor taught me a lot. He was my mentor to the modern age! You’re tired, women like hot chocolate?”

Wrapping my fingers around the mug I replied, “You’re a godsend. Thank you. And thank you to Conor. There’s clean towels in the cupboard.”

He nodded and we swapped places whilst I went to my bedroom, sat on my bed and relaxed in the bliss of the moment. And chocolate.

I leaned over and put the drink on the bedside table. The room was airy and warm. Moonlight flooded in through the window.

Home. How I’ve missed it. I leaned back happy to be alive, at home safe with almost everyone alive. My soul panged that Zale had died, not that he was a friend to me.

Rubbing his hair dry with a towel, Lycaon came in, pointing. “I put my cup over there. Is that alright?”

I nodded.

“Well, I guess I’m no longer in the coven. I need to contact my friends, see if they’re alright.”

He touched my arm, then ran his fingers over mine.

“Adara took our phones. Adara isn’t interested in your mortal friends. Rest, that’s an order. You really are a giver, aren’t you?

“I worry. That’s all.”

I trembled, steadying my breathing as I noticed he had leaned towards me. I could feel his breath on my neck, warm, inviting. Dangerous. Was he attracted to danger? Was I?

“Elsa, you’re kind. Brave. Tomorrow we’ll check on your mortal friends. It’ll be light soon. I should be able to trace their scent.”

His hulking frame almost filled the bed.

Cold moonlight danced through the curtains, casting shadows that ebbed and flowed. Lycaon’s hair shielded part of his face, and for a second, he almost looked half wolf, half man.

He turned fully around, his lips curled back in a sinful grin. “You know they’ll never stop hunting us. We are, have become, the enemy. The supernatural world has divided. Even my kin are turning against me. Are you sure you want this, there’s no going back?”

“What I don’t understand is how your kin, how there are different species? Like you turn into a wolf, others a monster?”

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