Page 112 of Outlaw Witch

“It was me, right?” I ask Seb, just to confirm and stab the knife in my gut a little deeper. “He asked you to take his memories of me, didn’t he?”

I don’t know exactly how I know that. There was just something about that kiss and the pleading look Fabian gave me straight after, like he was begging for me to understand.

And I do. Kind of.

He had to make a sacrifice.

The one he chose just so happened to be me.

Seb nods, looking so damn miserable I wind up pulling him into a stiff hug. He keeps his arms dangling to his sides for a good minute before he pats my back awkwardly.

“He said he couldn’t think of another sacrifice that would be strong enough, that wouldn’t involve killing anyone. It had to be something that involved love, right? And he said some stuff about not knowing you being the biggest sacrifice he could think of.”

That’s... sweet as hell, actually. Doesn’t stop it from feeling like I’ve been kicked in the cooch though.

I take a step toward Fabian who still hasn’t moved from his position, kneeling on the ground. His chest is moving fast but steadily so I’m not sure if he’s just trying to put himself together. I’m conscious of how bitterly cold it is out here. We all need to get inside and warm up.

“Hey, Fabian?” I call his name, glancing over my shoulder at Seb. “Maybe you should talk to him? Try to get him up and then we can head inside.”

I turn around just in time for Fabian to look up and meet my eye. While I’m mostly expecting the lack of recognition on his face, it’s still another blow to witness as he narrows his eyes at me.

“What—”

I decide it’s best to go back to our first meeting. After all, it’s like the two of us don’t know each other from Adam, right? For him, at least.

“I’m Silver, your friends asked me to help remove the curse on your blood. It worked but we need to get you inside before parts start dropping off you from the cold.”

When he doesn’t make any attempt to stand, I glance at Seb again, who approaches cautiously.

“Seb’s here,” I tell Fabian, using my most soothing voice.

“Give me a minute. I feel like I’ve been peeled apart and stuck back together again.”

Well, that’s some interesting imagery.

“Sure.” I hang back and rub Sebastian’s shoulder. He’s biting his thumb, looking from me to his brother and looking so lost and uncertain I can’t help myself trying to comfort him.

“Uh, Silver. Just so you know, I’ve never made someone forget a wholepersonbefore.”

My head swings around and I wait for him to get his words out before I can even start to process them.

“I just... I don’t know exactly what’ll happen.”

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I nod and give him a tight smile. My heart might feel like it’s breaking, but it’s not Seb’s fault. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Look, you did what you could to help, and the curse is gone and that’s all that matters.”

I’m sure after a little more time for this all to sink in, I can start to handle all of this. Right now, though, I’m hanging in by the skin of my teeth, trying to keep it together.

I’ve done what I came here to do. And I guess I don’t know exactly what happens next. Pick up my payment and maybe the guys will get me a job with Hanna and Rook.

I can’t say it won’t be weird to live maybe a few streets away from them without being a part of their lives. But that’s the nature of the gig. I come in, fix Fabian, and move on.

It’ll all work out.

It has to.

That’s what I tell myself as we watch Fabian slowly pulling himself upright before taking a stumbling step out of the rune circle. When he staggers again, I’m instantly at his side, propping him up. Seb scurries to his other side and we each put one of Fabian’s arms around our necks.

Fabian’s at least a foot taller than either of us and a good seventy pounds of muscle heavier than I am. Together, we stagger forward at a painstakingly slow pace. It takes a good five minutes before we reach the door and I have to prop Fabian up to take a moment’s rest while I open it.

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