Page 5 of Cursed Magic (Rejected Fate Trilogy #2)

CHAPTER FIVE

N o matter what I did, each time I opened my eyes, I saw the same thing. I struggled to make sense of it because, even in the supernatural world, healing this rapidly was unheard of.

Moments ago, Ryker’s wound had been gaping and bleeding alarmingly. If I didn’t know any better, I would swear this wasn’t the same injury.

The skin around the stab wound was pink and puckered, as if a day’s worth of shifter healing had happened in mere minutes. The flow of blood had ceased entirely, leaving behind only the congealed evidence that it had been bleeding as horribly as I remembered.

Seeing my reaction, Briar’s brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?” She leaned over toward Ryker’s injury.

My lungs stopped working. The urge to grip her by the nape of the neck and yank her away from him had my spine straightening. Forcing air out of my lungs, I attempted to keep a level head. After all, Briar was my sister, and she felt responsible for Ryker’s injuries because they’d happened while he was protecting her .

She gasped and recoiled. Her jaw dropped open for a moment before she muttered, “How is that even possible?”

With trembling hands, she reached toward him, and my heart raced.

All sense of calm vanished. Before she could touch him, my possessive instincts took over, and I smacked her hand away.

I almost snapped, Don’t touch him. He belongs to me! But somehow, I managed to keep my lips sealed.

Briar’s gaze jerked in my direction. Her eyes widened as she placed her hand back in her lap. “What the hell? Why did you do that?”

“What’s going on back there?” Raven asked, her voice tense. “I still hear his heart beating, so you need to tell me what’s wrong.”

I rubbed my hands together, feeling gooeyness from the blood caked on them. The fierce protectiveness I’d felt moments ago began to ebb, replaced by a lump of confusion and guilt in my throat. I struggled to find words to explain myself, knowing I couldn’t reveal the possessive thoughts that had raced through my mind.

“I—I’m sorry,” I stammered, forcing myself to maintain eye contact with her so I didn’t come off even more peculiar. “We don’t know if there was anything on the blade, so it’s best if you don’t touch the wound, just in case.”

Briar’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded. “That makes sense, but why the hell did you touch the wound then? Your life is more important than mine.”

A wave of guilt crashed over me. I struggled to find the right words to explain my actions. While my excuse might make logical sense, I hadn’t even considered it until I’d wanted to hide the reason for my gut reaction.

She was right. If the blade had been poisoned or magicked, I could have been infected. “I didn’t think about it until just now. I wasn’t trying to put myself at risk, but Briar, I’ll do anything to protect you. My life isn’t more important than yours, and I never want to hear you say that again.” I was protecting her now, even from myself, since my gut reaction had been to inflict pain on her so that she never wanted to touch Ryker again.

I couldn’t believe the powerful possessive instinct that had surged through me, even toward Briar.

Inhaling through my mouth, I tasted the strong copper scent. It mixed with the salty, sour taste on my tongue. My heart seized inside my chest with so much pain and worry over Ryker.

He had become a distraction. One I couldn’t afford and had to get away from. Briar’s safety was all that mattered now. I couldn’t afford to worry about strange feelings or impossible healing, and I especially couldn’t give another man the power to hurt and humiliate me. I’d made that mistake once, and I refused to do it ever again.

Which meant I had only one choice. “Once we know Ryker is safe, we need to get you away from all this. We need to leave and start fresh somewhere away from here. Somewhere the shadows can’t find us.”

She bit her bottom lip. “But where else can we go? We have no pack, no home.”

Her words hung heavy in the air, the brutal truth of our situation hitting me like a punch to the gut. How could I keep Briar safe when I couldn’t even trust my own instincts?

I gazed out the window at the blur of trees rushing past, searching for answers in the shadowy landscape. The forest seemed to mock us with its vastness, offering a thousand hiding places and just as many dangers. Moonlight filtered through the branches, casting eerie shadows that danced and twisted, reminding me of the iridescent attackers only I could see.

“I’m using my centuries’ worth of patience right now, but it’s running low,” Raven said, steering the vehicle on the curvy road. “What’s going on with Ryker? I’ve only been able to stay quiet this long because I don’t hear blood like I could before. Were you able to clot it?”

My focus landed back on Ryker’s wound, and I could suddenly feel the floorboard biting into my knees. “I…I don’t even know how to explain it.” I filled her in. Shifter healing was quick and amazing, but he’d been so injured that it hadn’t done anything until I’d removed the knife.

Raven remained silent for a long moment. The SUV swayed as we took another curve, and I braced my hands on the sides of Ryker’s seat, trying not to fall on or jostle him.

Finally, she sighed and replied, “The knife must have prevented the progress. Removing it allowed his wolf to heal him. He’s from the strongest line of wolves now since the royals have passed, which means he should heal more quickly than an average shifter.”

The pieces clicked into place, and some of my bewilderment eased from my chest. I’d felt warmth when I’d touched Ryker’s wound with my bare hands, which shouldn’t have been possible, but I’d recognized an animalistic magic that felt very similar to mine. “That makes sense. I’m glad he was still strong enough to heal himself.” Fate only knew what would’ve happened if he hadn’t been.

The three of us fell into silence, with only the sounds of the engine and Ryker’s heartbeat to accompany the journey.

Briar sagged back into the seat with a deep exhale of relief. She leaned. “Thank goodness,” she breathed. “I don’t know what I would have done if he… If he hadn’t made it.” Sh e ran a hand through her greasy, matted copper hair. “He saved my life. I owe him everything .”

“That’s an interesting choice of words, especially since Ember doesn’t feel the same way.” I could hear Raven fidgeting behind me, my back still to the driver’s seat. “To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement.”

A knot formed tightly in my stomach. With her vampire ears, there was no question that she’d heard me tell Briar we needed to leave, but I had to push past the guilt. No matter what, Briar was my top priority.

“What do you mean?” Briar tilted her head and squinted at me.

I opened my mouth to attempt to mitigate the situation, but Raven continued before I could speak. “Ember mentioned leaving the mansion once we arrive. I’m curious about this plan, especially given the current situation.”

I swallowed hard, guilt constricting my throat. Raven’s words weren’t accusing but rather disappointed, which made them sting even worse. I couldn’t deny that she was right. After everything Ryker, his pack, and the vampires had done for us, leaving felt like a betrayal. But the memory of Reid’s public rejection still burned, a constant reminder of why I couldn’t let my guard down again.

“I…” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for us, but Briar’s safety has to be my top priority.”

As if on cue, Ryker let out a low, pained groan. His eyelids fluttered and his muscles tensed. I was acutely aware of every movement he made. I leaned over him, checking his wound to make sure it hadn’t started bleeding again.

His face pinched. His chest rose and fell with shallow, labored breaths. I leaned closer, my own pulse thudding as I searched for any signs that might hint he wasn’t as well off as I had hoped.

“Ember,” he croaked.

Somehow, him saying my name a second time sent an even stronger shiver along my back. His eyes, usually so sharp and alert, were clouded with pain and exhaustion. Yet, as they focused on my face, the golden flecks warmed, and my breath caught.

“I’m here.” I forced a smile, desperate to reassure him. “How are you feeling?”

Ryker snorted and then groaned. “Like I’ve been stabbed,” he managed with a hint of his usual humor.

Knowing he needed me to act normal, I tried to play it cool. But my wolf stirred inside, wanting to comfort him, to touch him, and to make sure he really was okay.

Despite the pain etched on his face, his eyes never left mine. The air between us seemed to crackle with the familiar cadence of the buzz that sprang up between us when we touched.

“Well, you’re looking better than you did just five minutes ago.” I forced my tone to be light and to hide the terror that had been brewing inside. “Your healing kicked in pretty impressively once we got that knife out.”

His lips twitched. “Perks of being a strong wolf of the royal guard, I suppose.”

Briar sniffed, bringing me back to the present. For a moment, it had felt like Ryker and I were the only two beings in the world. Now my sister fidgeted, turning her whole body toward him. “Thank you so much for saving me.” Emotion deepened her voice. “I can’t believe you risked your life like that for someone you barely know.”

He looked at her, his expression softening. “There’s no need to thank me,” he said. He shifted slightly and winced. “ I’m the alpha of the Grimstone pack. Protecting our species is my job.” He looked at me, his expression softening. The faint glow in his eyes indicated his wolf had inched forward. “And some people are worth protecting at any cost.”

The meaning of his words was clear—he’d done it for me. He didn’t have to say it outright because I understood him better than I wanted to admit. Still, my heart raced, and every time I tried to move my gaze, I couldn’t. My wolf snarled, and I couldn’t even force myself to turn my head.

Is there something you need to share with me? Briar linked, and our connection thrummed with curiosity.

My mind raced, trying to find the right words to explain something I barely understood myself…something that I needed to forget about and put behind me. There’s nothing to share . I flinched as the sulfur scent of a lie filled the vehicle. My wolf growled inside, letting me know she was pissed that I wouldn’t acknowledge how I felt about Ryker.

I wanted to chastise her, but I had something more important to focus on.

Everyone in here can smell that big fat lie you just told. Briar arched a brow and crossed her arms.

Fate being the bitch she was, Ryker coughed then flinched and groaned. “Either someone just lied, or their stomach is upset.” His eyelids sagged as he turned his head toward both Briar and me.

“Definitely a lie,” Raven replied. “I have a feeling I know exactly what it’s about, too.”

Spill it. Briar pursed her lips, which was her tell that she was determined about something. She didn’t get like this often, but clearly, Ryker had made a huge impression on her by nearly dying to save her.

I exhaled, knowing that I couldn’t get out of this. But that didn’t mean I had to tell her everything. I didn’t even understand my feelings for him, so how could I explain them? The pull I felt toward him shouldn’t be possible, and the fear that gripped my heart at the thought of trusting anyone again after Reid’s betrayal was strong. Not only that, but the best way to protect Briar was to get her as far away from here as possible.

It’s…complicated . I shrugged, and my mouth dried.

I tilted my head back, looking at the gray ceiling. I didn’t want to see her expression as I linked my next words. I can’t explain our connection. Even though I didn’t say it out loud, my tongue felt dry and fat. I don’t fully understand it myself. But I do know that Reid’s rejection destroyed my world and future, and I refuse to let myself be that vulnerable again. I pushed away the warmth that bloomed in my chest. Besides, the Blackwoods clearly want us dead, so we can’t stay around here. It’s not safe.

I rolled my shoulders and focused on Ryker again. My heart clenched at the sight of his pale face. His eyes were closed once more, and his breathing evened out as he slipped back into unconsciousness.

Ember, it’s not safe anywhere for us right now. Briar shook her head and wrinkled her nose. You want to leave our friends from our neighboring packs as if they’re nothing.

Her words stung, but I couldn’t let them sway me. I had to stay focused on our survival. Our friends ? I let the heat of my anger float through our connection. What friends, Briar? The ones who slaughtered our pack after their alpha heir rejected me in front of everyone? The ones who tried to kill us again tonight? None of the other packs came to our defense either, not even during the alpha meeting I attended to determine who might be holding you captive!

She winced, but I pressed on, unable to stop now that the floodgates had opened. And now you want to stay here after you got upset with me for allying with the Grimstones to find you and because we’re heading back to the royal vampire nest? Do you not remember all the stories we heard from Dad about the Grimstones growing up, how they don’t hesitate to torture people? Because I can tell you, it’s true. I watched Ryker beat up someone innocent, trying to get answers. In fairness, with my growing rage, I understood Ryker more—another reason I needed to get away. I didn’t want hate to consume me like it had him.

Her nostrils flared. I understand what happened, but none of the other packs had time to get there to help us. How could they expect something like that to happen when we didn’t? Ryker nearly died protecting me. And now you want to run away before we even make sure he’s recovered?

My back stiffened. I’m trying to keep us alive, Briar. We can’t trust anyone right now. They could turn on us at any second.

So what’s your plan then? Are we wandering off into the wilderness alone, with no allies and no resources, hoping the Blackwoods don’t find us?

I plan on relocating us to the West Coast. Yeah, we’ll be starting over, and it’ll be hard, but it’s better than staying here waiting to be massacred . I gritted my teeth, trying to remain calm.

Briar lifted her chin. You may believe that, but I don’t. I won’t run.

There had been only a handful of times that Briar had stood her ground. But after losing our entire pack, I’d never imagined this would be one of them. You’re going. End of discussion.

No. I’m not willing. You alpha-willed me earlier to make me leave you behind. You’ll have to take away another of my choices to make this happen. She clenched her jaw. Something I will never forgive you for, Ember. I want to make that clear.

My wolf snarled, disliking her talking back to us. If alpha-willing was what it took, then I guessed it was time. I’d rather have her alive to hate me than have to bury her.

I tugged at my wolf, preparing to lose my sister forever.