Page 51 of Cursed Evermore

Arielle cut him a hard stare before returning her gaze to me. Her long moon-white hair looked brighter against her vibrant blue eyes when she was angry. “How did you capture her?”

“Don’t worry, I assure you she felt no pain.”Only pleasure. Arielle would be appalled if she knew how I trapped the little mage. “And I do need her alive. Taking her skin would have most likely killed her. I haven’t met anyone who survived that, least of all someone who was part human.”

Arielle’s skin grew paler than its usual alabaster shade. I could tell she wanted to rip into me but was holding back, out of respect, or fear that I may do worse to Elariya.

Caring was supposed to be lost on me. The curse was supposed to have stripped away my capacity for caring, so I couldn't let Arielle suspect that something about Elariya made me hesitate.

I tore my gaze away from hers, refocusing on the serious nature of this mission. Everything hung on the balance ofwhatever happened next. Whatever information I could andwouldget from Elariya.

Only these four knew about my plans. I'd given the rest of the crew a basic cover story, so they knew nothing about the real mission. The fewer people who knew the truth, the better.

“As soon as we cross the Veil, I’ll pull our prisoner out of soul sleep and begin

the interrogation.”

“In what manner, brother?” Alaric asked.

He didn’t say it outright, but I knew what he meant. He was wondering if I’d

treat her like the rebel and leave her torn apart, screaming and begging.

“I’ll do whatever I see fit.”

“She’s half human. She may not survive whatever you deem fit. We can’t go around killing humans.”

“Then she’d better tell me what I need to know.” I bit down hard on my back teeth, trying to control the tension that roiled within me. Things were complicated enough without my brother pointing out the obvious.

“Something just doesn’t add up,” Bastian cut in, his expression pensive. “I never expected you to find someone like her. And in the human realm?”

“I know, but the wraith led me to her. The evidence may seem thin, but there's no mistake in magical tracking.”

“Sure, but from what you said, she sounds like she comes from a family who only uses magic when they need to. Or not at all.”

“That’s what it seemed to be on the surface, but we can’t go by that. Elariya’s powers were never bound. The grandmother is also suppressing her mage powers. That’s breaking the law.” Though I couldn't blame her for that. Given how deceitful humans were, I would have done the same thing.

“How do you think Elariya came by the ring?” Garrick asked, narrowing his eyes. “Could the grandmother and her mother have been involved?”

“No. They were clear. The blood spell only linked Elariya to the ring. That means she’s the only one who came in direct contact with it.”

“That’s not exactly something we can refute,” Bastian surmised, biting the inside of his lip. “Even if things don’t add up.”

“Exactly.”

Garrick frowned, clearly working through the logic. “But that raises another question, Wolfe. Why couldn't you sense it? An artifact as powerful as the ring would have been easily detected in the mortal lands. You of all people should have been able to pick up its magical energy.”

My breath stilled as I prepared to confess my greatest fear. One I’ve dreaded to even contemplate. “I think it’s possible it’s on another plane of existence.”

They all looked at each other, stunned.

“Do you truly think so?” Arielle asked, the stern look in her eyes softening.

“It’s the only thing I can think of. That’s why I can’t feel it anywhere.” I’d thought that for years. I never said anything because it practically meant giving up hope. There were countless planes of existence and realms between realms. There was no point searching through them when you didn’t have a clue where to start.

“It would make sense,” she mumbled and bit the inside of her lip.

“Do you think she’s in league with our father’s murderer?” Alaric asked, straightening.

“That’s what I’m going to find out.” I acknowledged each of them again. “I have the same questions you all do, but I don’thave answers. There is definitely something unusual at work, and I will find out what it is. Right now, I’m grateful we have a lead. We just have to see where it goes.”