Page 35 of Hellish Witch (Playing with Demons #3)
Chapter 34
“ A moment, please.” Alvie halted us in an unremarkable part of the woods, a good hour of tense walking later.
Hordes of curious critters had peered at us through the branches as we’d passed by, helping lighten the general aura of hostility simmering between Killian and Alvie. The mage had frowned adorably with each new animal, though, pointing out which ones shouldn’t even be awake at this time of day, the weak sun dipping low with the fading afternoon.
I stilled, finally sensing what had pulled us up short.
A faint pulse of energy radiated ahead, like a wall of power, invisible to the naked eye and almost undetectable if I wasn’t already open to the currents of magic around me.
“It’s the ward boundary, right? Just there.” I pointed at a subtle line of dark stones, half-buried in the leaf litter.
Alvie beamed at me. “That’s correct, Eve. Your natural abilities are amazing. I can only imagine what you’ll be able to do with training.”
Killian brooded in silence, his focus latched onto the mage.
I tugged at the hem of my jumper, unsure what to do with Alvie’s compliment. “So, um, how do Killian and I get through it?”
“I’ll let you in on a little coven secret.” His smile turned smug as he leaned in close, the clean scent of lavender soap washing over me. “Since I’m our coven’s protector and a high-ranking mage, I’ve been given access to the ward’s keying spell.”
“A secret or a chance to brag?” Killian mocked, baiting the mage.
Alvie ignored the demon, but his smile tightened.
The tension between them had only ratcheted higher and higher, and they’d just met about an hour ago.
“That’s amazing,” I blurted before the two idiots could come to blows. “I’d love to learn about warding.”
Hybrids would always be hunted for our differences. We were slaughtered and enslaved. Rex always had to worry about our kingdom being invaded. If I could add another layer of protection, maybe I could make up for all the danger I’d put everyone in.
Alvie beckoned me closer with a crook of his finger, walking backwards to the invisible ward. “It would be my pleasure to give you a quick lesson.”
I followed, curiosity getting the better of me. What things could I learn that I didn’t even know existed?
Beyond my affinity magic, and whatever nature connection I’d yet to explore, could I do amazing things too? I’d spent my whole life suppressing my mage side, except to heal, trying to be the most demonic of demons. I’d still never fit in.
Could I have been looking at things all wrong? Was I more mage than demon?
Up close, static buzzed from the ward line. I stretched my hands out, combing my fingers as close as I dared. Sparks nipped me like tiny insects, the bites firmer the closer I got to the invisible wall above the carefully placed stones.
“You can feel the boundary, warning you away, correct?” Alvie asked, watching me intently as I fondled the magic barrier, a crease between his golden brows.
I nodded slowly, concentrating on the strange feeling. “Yes, it’s giving me little shocks.”
His frown deepened. “Hmmm, usually you’d be in a lot more discomfort, touching it directly.” The expression melted into another of his bright smiles. “Another talent to uncover about the mysterious beauty.”
I ducked my head, looking away. What did you even say to something like that?
He’d probably meant “abomination” but was trying to be polite.
“If you concentrate on the ward, you might get a sense of the area it covers. My territory is quite large,” he said, a tinge of pride and something else lifting his tone.
I closed my eyes, focusing on the magic before me.
A wonky circle stretched out beyond the wall, blankness filling the vast space. The rest of the forest illuminated with sparks of life, great and small, but nothing shone inside the image of the ward boundary in my head. It reminded me of the dead zone around the portal.
“It spans for miles,” I murmured, blinking my eyes back open.
Alvie nodded. “Yes, very good. Only a select few mages have their signature tied into the locking spell on it, but our whole coven and a few special guests have permission to come and go as they please. Though, the coven elder is alerted when someone crosses. He likes to keep a rather close eye on our movements.”
The last part was said with a sour note. Apparently, Alvie wasn’t a huge fan of his leader.
“Anyway, I’ll let you and your demon… friend in as temporary guests. But we’ll have to go straight to see the coven elder.”
I flashed him a smile, ignoring the mix of emotions squirming through me at the thought of meeting more mages. “That’s great. Really, Alvie, I can’t thank you enough for helping us.”
He returned the smile, reached for my hand where it hovered over the barrier, and squeezed. “Of course, Eve. Us mages look out for our own.”
Killian muttered something under his breath—probably not very complimentary to our mage host. I pulled my hand from Alvie’s, and Killian planted himself right beside me, radiating heat and threat.
The mage raised his hand, glowing with sunshine trapped beneath his skin, and whispered mysterious words I couldn’t quite catch.
Magic rose as a crackling static sensation. It flared brightly for a moment, washing over me. Feathers brushed my back as Killian’s wings rustled, flexing and tightening beside me.
As quick as it had come, the sensation fled, leaving me oddly energised.
“There, that should do it.” Alvie stepped past the line of dark stones and beckoned us to follow. “Come on, I’m sure the coven elder is already on his way to intercept us with the new signatures registered, especially with one being non-mage.” He glanced meaningfully at Killian.
With a deep inhale, I stepped past the innocuous line of stones, bracing for the sharp bite of magic. It smoothed over me instead, like a gentle stream. A warm, welcoming feeling enveloped me, nothing like I’d have expected from a spell designed to keep people out. It almost felt familiar, like a hug from a friend.
A rustling clued me in that we weren’t alone.
The barrier’s magic released me, and Killian stepped beside me, already laser-focused on the source of the noise.
“Wow, that was fast,” I murmured, watching the stone-lined path winding between tall trees.
A small group of mages hurried down it towards us.
A lean, middle-aged male led the charge. Despite the towering enforcer beside me, the man’s focus locked onto me, unwavering.
Something about him held my attention too.
A smattering of grey threaded through wine-red hair, his short and sensible haircut just long enough to curl at the ends. Neat black slacks and a soft-looking button-down shirt gave him an almost casual style, but tension furrowed his hawkish features.
For some strange reason, he seemed familiar. Almost like I knew he was the source of that welcoming magic.
Killian bristled, claws splaying ready at his sides.
“Ah, Coven Elder, you’re just in time for me to introduce you to our new guests.” Alvie stepped aside and swept a hand towards us. “This is Eve and her acquaintance. Eve here is in need of our help with her healing magic.”
The coven elder seemed unable to hear anything the younger mage said though. He didn’t take his gaze off me for a second, merlot eyes blazing with some unknown intensity. “Lilabell?”
I froze, everything in me icing over at the name on his lips.
“No,” I croaked. “But how did you know my mother?”