Page 40 of Druid Cursed

CHAPTER

In Caedmon’s study, Kellen kept careful watch as his brother approached with another armload of bottles, amulets, and herbs and set them on the table close to Maggie.

If Caedmon was aware of the happenings at the castle the previous night, he made no indication.

Busy with his own doings, ’twas possible Caedmon missed the surge of power Kellen had made with Maggie during the harvest ritual, his fully ren ewed power.

Every fragment stolen by Sorcha had been restored.

His heart ached at the mere sight of her, and he could not prevent himself from reaching for her hand. When her small, innocent smile turned on him and she laced her fingers with his, so trusting, warmth threatened to steal his breath. How could he endure eternity without her?

“That should be everything.” A cloud of conflicting scents—garlic, anise, and cloves—joined Caedmon as he carefully set the last bottle down and rubbed his hands together, looking at each of them.

With his sleeves rolled up and his cravat tossed aside on the chair behind him, he appeared eager and utterly in his element. “Ready to do this?”

“Not really, but that’s not going to slow me down,” Maggie said. Despite knowing the face of their enemy and tasting the dangerous power she wielded, despite her fear, she was fully prepared to fight for her friend.

My brave warrior queen. Maggie was a woman who would be his conscience, remind him of his heart when he wavered.

The kind of woman he could respect in any circumstance.

He could nigh sense her pure aura curling around him, snug and warm.

Like home. He squeezed her hand in his, and a thrill shot through him when she squeezed back.

“Now that you’re a member of our inner circle, Maggie, it’s only fair that you be made aware that Sorcha has destroyed the outer two of our protective barriers.

” The gravity in Caedmon’s tone felt sharp in the sudden quiet.

“The last line of defense is around the main hall grounds. Anywhere beyond the gardens, you’ll be at her mercy. ”

“With each day closer to the new moon, her strength grows.” Kellen couldn’t keep the snarl from his voice, hating the helplessness coursing through him like burning oil.

Maggie nodded, her eyes round, and he didn’t miss how she edged closer to him. He stroked her hand with his thumb, making small, comforting circles.

“The failed boundaries create a problem.” Caedmon rubbed his lower lip, a nervous habit that betrayed his confidence.

“There’s only one place with enough magic to battle the spirit of an ancient witch who has figured out how to harness both the ley line and the new moon to her own whims. Unfortunately, it’s beyond the main hall’s protection. ”

“My prison entrance.” Kellen clenched his jaw.

Ages ago, he had loved that spot of power within the birch trees, the energy that passed between standing stones left behind by his ancestors as a reminder of his identity and duties.

Since Sorcha had harnessed it for her own evil purposes, the location no longer held the same appeal.

The circle had once been protective. Now it was a cage.

“Correct, and that’s as much as I’m going to tell you, Kel.

Even though we’re discussing how to defeat Sorcha rather than how we plan to break the curse, I won’t risk my counter-spell cracking and the curse taking you back prematurely.

” Caedmon looked at Maggie. “Did you bring the ingredients I requested?”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a tissue.

Unfolding the prize on the table, she said, “What bothers me most is I’m not as weirded out by this as I would’ve been yesterday.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m still weirded out.

Just not an appropriate amount.” Fingernail clippings and several strands of her dark, lovely locks rested inside. “Is this enough?”

“That’ll do, little sparrow.” He slid the personal—and perilous if in a knowledgeable enemy’s hands—items aside and gathered a handful of trinkets from his druid sundries.

“You’ll be layered with so many defenses and protections that by the time Sorcha unravels one spell, another one will take its place. ”

Maggie studied the items in Caedmon’s grip, her mouth pursed. “Sounds like I should be worried.”

“Only a wee amount.” Caedmon smiled as he slipped around the table, closer to her. How easily his brother lied. He reached for Maggie’s wrist, paused, and met Kellen’s gaze. “May I?”

Perhaps there was hope for his brother after all. “Aye, if Maggie wills it.”

Caedmon waited for Maggie’ s nod, then took her delicate wrist in his grip.

If he heard the low, possessive growl that escaped before Kellen controlled it, he made no sign.

He pushed up Maggie’s sleeve and paused, studying the bracelet already there.

“Isn’t this interesting.” It wasn’t a question. “Where did you get this?”

“A birthday present from my father, just before he died.”

“Magnetite with agate charms. He clearly loved you deeply.” He glanced at Kellen before meeting Maggie’s gaze. “These stones are potent protection against attacks, both magical and spiritual. I would have expected your mother had been the one to give it to you.”

Only a minor tightness in her mouth indicated she felt any sorrow at the mention of a mother who had abandoned her—a woman who Caedmon had been unable to locate through his research, which suggested foul workings had erased the details of her existence…

or mayhap her very life. He hated that Maggie had never known the joy a mother could offer.

“My mother left when I was young. I barely remember her. Wait.” Maggie narrowed her eyes, a dangerous sign. That it was aimed at his brother rather than him made Kellen grin. “Are you suggesting my mother was a witch?”

“Not at all.” Caedmon took hold of her other hand. “But some witches choose paths other than evil, in case you wish to explore your heritage.”

She sniffed. “I’ll pass. I don’t need to carry on any family tradition Aunt Maeve created by following in her buckled shoes and birthday suit, carrying weird rocks.”

“Don’t be so hasty, little sparrow. That sounds like an excellent practice to continue.” Caedmon winked.

Maggie’s adorable scowl at his twin strangled the snarl in Kellen’s throat. How easily she conquered his surly nature, unaware of what she even did.

Caedmon fastened the metal cuff Kellen had made around her free wrist, and the various gems gleamed, their reflections colorful in the firelight.

“There isn’t any magnetite, but the garnet will amplify the herbs in the other tokens and amulets I’ll give you in a moment, all courtesy of my big brother.

The jet will protect you against spirits, and the topaz deflects hostile magic. ”

“It’s pretty, too.” She admired the cuff while Caedmon dangled a long chain with a dozen or so amulets, charms, and gems hanging from it. “Silver?”

“Aye, blended with iron and fragments of other stones.” Kellen answered first. ’Twas his duty and honor to arm his love with weapons against an enemy, to be her shield when needed.

“I developed it through my own alchemy process. Whilst it may not withstand the full strength of a witch, it will give her pause.”

“And sometimes a pause is all the time you need.” Caedmon’s smile was all wolf, both warning and promise.

He handed her the necklace, and the charms tinkled softly against one another as she slipped the long chain over her neck.

It settled between her breasts, low enough to remain hidden beneath her clothing.

“Wear the necklace and cuff at all times, always against your skin. If one heats up or emits a scent, be wary, and grab this.”

Kellen fisted his hand to resist casting away the tiny leather pouch Caedmon set on the table, loath to allow Maggie anywhere near it. The spell within oozed, dark and oily.

“This one is from me. It’s your one-time-only, get-out-of-jail-free card.” Caedmon nudged it toward her. “A nasty bit of business, but if you’re cornered, it will give you a chance to run. Safe for humans, not so much for others.”

“What happened to a simple iron poker and salt?” she asked faintly. Although she was neither druid nor witch, she clearly sensed the spell’s vile nature.

“Fine ideas for a normal spirit.” Caedmon shook his head. “To a witch of Sorcha’s level, nothing but a nuisance.”

Delicately grabbing the edge of the pouch between forefinger and thumb, she dropped it into her sweater pocket and released a shaky breath.

Caedmon glanced at Kellen and pointed at the hearth. “Sorry, bro, but what I need to tell Maggie next could fracture my counter-spell if you hear it. You need to wait over there.”

“What could Maggie possibly need to know that I would not?” He studied his twin’s features, suspicious of the practiced innocence there. Whatever Caedmon schemed, he liked it not that any secret plans included Maggie in some manner. “Protecting her from Sorcha is all that matters.”

“As much as I appreciate the sentiment, I’m not all that matters.

” Maggie shifted in her seat, and her knee brushed his thigh, sending sparks of electricity dancing over his skin.

“Wendy is basically Sorcha’s enslaved captive.

You’re still cursed.” The warmth and determination in her eyes nigh destroyed him.

With so many other worries, he had not the heart to tell her that Ravenwood itself was also in peril, and from there, all of Ireland.

Steel threaded her tone. “I’m going to help in whatever way Caedmon needs me to. End of discussion.”

“I vow not to endanger her unnecessarily, brother.” Caedmon held his gaze. “You know that.”