Page 14 of Cursed Magic (Rejected Fate Trilogy #2)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“ T hen don’t tell us.” Ryker’s voice was low and sharp. “Every time you have that damn expression on your face, you either do or suggest the kind of reckless thing that drives me insane.” His words hung in the air, a challenge.

Raven leaned forward, her dark eyes gleaming. “Well then, I want to hear it. I want to hear the sort of suggestions that rumple Ryker’s fur.”

I hesitated, hating that this would probably upset Ryker, but that didn’t change what needed to be done to get one step closer to our enemies. “We need to find a witch.” I allowed the words to spill out before I could second-guess myself further. “Someone who can help us discover how this magic works and how to dispel it.”

Raven’s face lit up with a smirk. “A witch. That’s a bold suggestion since they tend to protect their kind, but Queen Ambrosia has an understanding with a powerful witch who lives nearby. One that actually warded this phone.” She removed a phone from a hidden pocket in her dress and typed out a message.

Ryker’s expression darkened, and he turned away and began pacing the room with a restless energy. “I don’t trust witches. They’re unpredictable, dangerous. We can’t just go around seeking them out like they’re some kind of miracle solution.”

I suspected the witch Raven was referring to was the same one who’d cast the spell on Ryker, but he wasn’t lying. He didn’t trust them. Otherwise, he’d reek right now.

Tossing a knowing glance my way, Raven countered, “What choice do we have? We don’t fully understand witch magic; they keep the way their magic works secret for a reason. If we want to understand what the Blackwoods’ witch is capable of, then we need insider knowledge.”

The tension between them was palpable. Ryker’s reluctance was clear, but Raven’s determination was equally so. She moved closer to him, her presence commanding attention.

“Think of the bigger picture, Ryker.” I added my voice to hers. “If we don’t act, more lives will be lost. The packs are already on edge, and without answers, they’ll turn on each other. If this witch is willing to give us information, it could change the entire game.”

Ryker paused with his back to us, his broad shoulders rigid with tension. For a moment, the only sound was his heavy breathing. Then, slowly, he turned. “Why would they tell us anything?”

“A witch might feel betrayed by one of their own working so closely with a wolf-shifter pack, especially if they’re eliminating entire packs. One of the widely known rules among all species of the supernatural is that we must respect balance. A witch aiding the Blackwoods is not respecting that paramount rule. Another witch might see it as a betrayal, a violation of their species’ ethics.”

“Exactly. Desperate times call for desperate measures. If our neighboring witch is willing to cooperate, even reluctantly, it could be the key we need. But,” Raven added, her voice dropping, “we must be prepared for the consequences. If she’s willing to help us, she won’t do so without reason. And that reason could come with a cost.”

Ryker’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “Still, she might not want to help us,” he argued, his voice low and rough. “Why would she risk her own kind’s wrath? Some would see it as treachery.”

He was right. I hadn’t taken that into consideration. “It still doesn’t hurt to ask. The worst she can say is no or not come to the door.”

“Don’t think she’ll help out of the goodness of her heart.” Raven’s tone was steady and firm. “She’ll expect an offer of something in return. Protection, perhaps, or information she might find valuable. There are always those who are willing to take risks for the right incentive.”

Ryker’s head hung low as if the weight of the world rested on him. “And what if she refuses? What if she turns on us, uses her magic against us?”

Raven shrugged. “We’ve worked with this witch before, and she’ll not want to earn Queen Ambrosia’s wrath. Worst case, like Ember said, she’ll say no and ask us to leave.”

He growled, the sound low and menacing, and then took a deep breath. I could tell the suggestion grated on him, and I did believe he felt like this about the witches in general, but I suspected he feared the knowledge of what he’d done would come out. Whatever magic had impacted him, he clearly didn’t want anyone to know about it.

“Fine,” he bit out, the words sharp and clipped. “We’ll go visit your witch.”

Even though it was the right call, I tensed. Ryker was upset, and part of me wanted to say never mind because I didn’t want him to feel discomfort. But this whole thing was bigger than him, than me, than everyone in the house. The whole supernatural world could be at risk. Who was to say that the killers wouldn’t turn on the witches too? I didn’t understand their plan since they were targeting multiple species, but it couldn’t be good.

“I’ll get a car brought around for the three of us to visit Iskaria.” Raven glided to the door.

But as soon as her hand touched the doorknob, Ryker snarled, “Ember isn’t going. She needs to stay here where it’s safe.”

A bubble of laughter caught in my throat. “Not happening. I’m going. This was my idea.”

“Agreed.” Raven nodded. “Be ready in twenty, and we’ll head out then. I’m going to call Queen Ambrosia to inform her of our plan.” She slipped out the door, which shut with a loud thump , leaving Ryker and me alone.

Suddenly, I felt pressure all over my body, as if I were submerged under water. Ryker faced me from the other side of the table, a vein bulging between his eyes.

Clearly, the conversation wasn’t over.

“You’re not going.” He took a step closer, his movements deliberate, each muscle in his body coiled and ready to spring. The bandage beneath his shirt was visible through the fabric, a stark reminder of the wound he’d barely survived. Yet, despite his injury, there was no weakness in his stance. He was every inch the alpha, commanding and unyielding.

I held my ground, my heart pounding in my chest. “Ryker, listen to me—”

“No, you listen,” he cut in. “You’re not going. It’s too dangerous. You’re not some soldier to be sent into battle. You’re—” He stopped as though the words had caught in his throat.

“Reckless?” I finished, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “Or maybe just a liability?” I added, a hint of bitterness creeping into my tone.

His lips pressed into a hard line. “You’re not a liability,” he rumbled, his voice softening slightly. “But you’re also not invincible. Your sister needs you, and you know the risks. Why would you even suggest this?”

My blood boiled. I knew what he was doing by playing the sister card. “It sounds pretty safe, based on Raven’s take. And this war needs all hands on deck. Briar made me understand that, and it’s why we stayed. I’m going. Besides, it makes more sense for me to go than you. You’re still healing. You can barely—”

“I’m fine ,” he snapped. His hand went to his side, where his injury was. The movement was quick, but I caught the flicker of pain that flashed across his face before he masked it. “If that’s why you’re going, I don’t need you putting yourself in danger because of me.”

“It’s not just because of you.” Now that he’d brought his condition to my attention, I realized there was no way in hell he was going anywhere without me. “I can’t let fear dictate my choices. I want to avenge my pack just as much as you want revenge for what they did to yours. It’s not fair for you to try to hold me back when I want the same thing as you.”

He stalked around the table toward me until our faces were only inches apart. “I’m saying we can’t afford to lose you,” he whispered.

My lungs stopped working. “If we don’t work together, then the next time, the shadows might kill one of us, if not both. You can’t protect me from everything.” My voice was barely above a whisper. “And even if you could, I wouldn’t let you. I’m not some fragile thing that needs to be coddled. I’m a shifter, Ryker. I can fight. I can handle myself.”

We stared at each other, tension crackling between us like a live wire. Then, without warning, Ryker reached out and brushed my cheek. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through my entire body. I wanted to step closer to him and feel more of what was between us.

“You don’t understand.” Pain etched lines into his face. “If something happens to you…I wouldn’t survive.”

I turned my face away and took a step back, needing to clear my mind. “It’s still not your decision. I want to tell you to stay put too, because the thought of you in danger kills me. But it’s not my place to circumvent your decision, and if I try, all we’ll do is argue.”

He closed his eyes for a long moment before opening them once again. “You’re right, but dammit, I hate the thought of you leaving this place. It’s the safest location we’ve got for now.”

Memories of the cold caress and the unfamiliar yet delicious floral scent that I’d detected for seconds flashed through my head. It had happened here, and the Blackwood witch couldn’t have been messing with me with her magic. With their safeguards, the vampires would’ve known. So what had that been? “I’m not sure if we’re truly safe here either.”

He scowled. “I guess you’re right. Fine. I’ll link with the pack and let them know where we’re headed, and we can go to the car.”

I relaxed. The argument between us was over…at least for now.

He reached out again like he wanted to take my hand but stopped himself .

My heart sped up, and I wasn’t sure if it was from anticipation, disappointment…or maybe both.

He turned and strode out the door. I followed, ignoring the twinge in my heart from him not taking my hand.

It was better if we didn’t get more invested in each other.

At the front door, I linked with Briar. Ryker, Raven, and I are going to visit a witch the vampires are familiar with to see if she can provide any insight into the magic being used by the Blackwoods.

Be careful. I can’t lose you — for so many reasons.

Her worry swelled into me, and I replied, And I feel the same way about you.

The bright sunlight was a blinding contrast to the dim interior of the mansion. A black Mercedes SUV gleamed in the driveway, engine humming, the vampire queen’s statue behind it giving the impression that the queen was watching us.

“Are we all ready?” Raven called from behind the wheel.

Ryker nodded, opening the front passenger door for me before awkwardly climbing into the seat behind me.

I slid into the seat, feeling cool air brush against my skin. The leather seats creaked softly as I settled in. Raven put the car into drive, and soon the mansion dwindled in the rearview mirror.

“How far away is the witch?”

“About five miles,” Raven answered, and then we fell into silence.

My mind churned. I didn’t know what was to come or if this would get us any answers. I just hoped the witch didn’t ask for too much in return.

Raven navigated the winding roads, the only sound the hum of the engine. The woods around us were dense, the trees casting ominous shadows on the ground, reminding me of the attackers.

I turned my attention to the window, watching the trees blur past. Sunlight filtered through the glass, but even its caress couldn’t chase away the chill of the unknown that settled in my bones.

After several minutes, the trees thickened, and Raven’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. My pulse quickened. Ryker stayed silent behind me.

“It’s right here.” Raven nodded at a turn up ahead.

We took the curve, and a clearing with a wooden cottage sitting in the middle appeared. It was small, almost diminutive, but there was nothing quaint about it. The thatched roof was a tangle of moss and overgrown vines, and the walls seemed to lean inward as though the house were listening. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, carrying the faint scent of burning herbs—something sharp and unfamiliar that made my nose twitch. The windows were small and round, their panes cloudy with age, giving the illusion of empty, staring eyes. To one side grew a garden of herbs, most likely for spells and potions.

Raven pulled up about ten feet from the front door and parked.

“We need to stay close to each other,” Ryker muttered and opened his door.

He’d get no argument from me. The three of us got out, and my skin began to crawl. Something felt off, but I wasn’t sure what until I noticed the faint iridescent sheen covering the entire area.

“Let me knock first so I can explain to her who we are.” Raven headed to the door.

But then I realized another element felt off. I could smell only rosemary despite the garden and the moss.

“Guys, something isn’t right.” My gaze darted to the woods as Raven reached the oak door with intricate carvings of runes and symbols.

“What do you mean?” Raven’s brows furrowed as she knocked. “She’s a little quirky, so—”

The door creaked open like it hadn’t been fully closed, and Raven froze.

Ryker came up beside me, placing his hand on my arm like he was ready to drag me away at any moment.

“What the hell?” Raven rasped as she opened the door wider…and then she gasped.