Page 27 of Snow’s Charming (Hope Runs Deep #7)

Jackie and her Poison

“ T hank the gods and goddesses you are back. We need your help,” Raine said before he let out a gasp. I assumed he gasped because of Sylus carrying me in.

“She passed out the minute we stepped out of the car. I can’t wake her, Raine. What if?”

Sylus’s voice cracked, and he sucked in a sniffle. Was he crying? Goddess, how I wished I could tell him I was fine! If only I could wake up!

“Raine, she’s cold.” Sylus’s voice was a whisper, and droplets of salted water splashed my lips. “I can’t lose her, Raine. I can’t.” He was definitely crying, and I was powerless to comfort him.

“And you won’t. But first thing’s first—while you were with Raven, Jackie showed up.

I caught her snooping around the compound.

After a little research, I found out she had cast a hex on the grounds.

I would have texted you to warn you, but we’ve been busy keeping her and the Nuri clan away from the border. ”

“How did she get out of the mirror?”

“Accius found a shard I missed and plucked Jackie out with his coven. There’s more to this story, but let’s take care of Sesi first. Come to the penthouse, and let’s get her into the study.

The only way to counteract a hex is to use a witch bottle.

But with a hex of this magnitude, we must place Sesi inside one.

I conjured a glass coffin and placed black sea salt, lavender, and peppermint inside. All we have to do is place her in it.”

“Forgive me, Raine, but I’m not magically inclined. What’s that going to do for Sesi?”

“Keep her safe until we cleanse the grounds, bind Jackie, and then go after the Nuri witches. Ara, Teagan, and Kiku are with the pack keeping Accius busy. We have little time.”

It wasn’t long before Sylus’s muscular arms shifted and left my body.

He must have placed me in the coffin. I’m not great with confined spaces, so I guess it’s a good thing I can’t see what’s going on.

Sylus leaving my side wasn’t something I wanted either.

I needed him, needed his touch. It was the only thing helping me to feel like I was still alive.

“I should have killed the witch when I had the chance.”

“Sylus—”

“Raine—I may talk a good game, but you know I wouldn’t kill the bitch because I love and respect Sesi too much. Still, we should have bound her powers before shoving her in that mirror.”

He was holding my hand again; his thumb lightly brushed over my knuckles. I admit I enjoyed the fiery heat from him. I would never condone Sylus killing another being, but his fiercely protective side was something I appreciated right now.

“Sylus, I hate to say this, but I can only give you a few more moments with her before we must place the cover over her. It’s for her protection, Sylus.

I’d never separate you from her if there were any other choices.

I know a little about fated mates because after what Yudi put us through, I believe Skye and I are?—”

“Star-crossed lovers? Yes. I’m thinking Sesi and I are suffering the same fate.”

His voice was a mere whisper as a salty tear splashed my cheek. He removed his hand from mine, and a dankness overcame me as I heard the cover of the coffin slide over me.

Sylus was right. We really fit the star-crossed lovers’ description.

My stomach twisted as I wondered if I’d ever be happy.

Seemed like Jackie’s life’s purpose was to keep me miserable.

I wanted to bolt upright and jump into Sylus’s arms to tell him I loved him and that everything would turn out fine.

But how could I claim that to be true when I was feeling the same way Sylus was?

We were living out Shakespeare in the twenty-first century, and I hated it .

“Fuck! Accius broke the border. He’ll be here any second with the rest of the pack and my family.” Said Raine.

Claps of thunder echoed in the room, followed by energy balls hitting a target and setting it ablaze. The Nuri witches returned to finish me and Sylus off. I wished I could help him and put him and the pack in a protective bubble, but that wouldn’t happen with this damned hex over me.

“How lovely!”

Fuck—Raine was right. The voice was unmistakable. It belonged to the stepmonster and dripped with saccharine and every other fake and foul sugar imaginable. I loathed her with every fiber of my being and wished I had the honor of binding the bitch’s powers myself.

“You are all here together again. Saves me the trouble of hunting you down elsewhere to kill you off!” She said with a cackle.

“Too bad I will have to kill you, Sylus. You are gorgeous and powerful—two things I enjoy the most. But you love the brat, which means your taste in women is questionable, and I don’t do sloppy seconds. ”

I heard another energy ball form, and I’d only assume it was directed toward Sylus. I willed every fiber of my being to move, but it was no use. Jackie’s spell over me was too strong. My heart squeezed and my stomach dropped as the ball whipped through the room as if it were a live wire.

“Is that all you’ve got, Jackie? ”

Sylus’s voice was fierce with fire. He let out a low growl, and I sensed him shift into his wolf. Whatever spell Jackie had over me didn’t break the psychic connection between me and Sylus. I was thankful for the small favor until my throat constricted.

“Foolish boy! Do you think you can stop me this time? First, your precious shield is under my hex. And second, my coven is stronger now that I’ve joined Accius’s Nuri Coven.”

My heart squeezed again as my breath left my lungs.

She was choking Sylus, and I couldn’t stop it.

What was worse was, if she gained more power, would they be able to defeat her without me?

Dreadful guilt welled up in my belly. I didn’t know how I’d manage, but somehow, I had to wake from this hex to protect the family I love.

“You could join a thousand covens and you’d still be no match for me and my family, Jackie!” said Raine.

“Or me!” said Zhang.

“Hey, is this a private reckoning, or is everyone invited?” Said an unfamiliar female.

“Teagan, Ara, Kiku—with me,” said Raine.

“With pleasure, cuz!” said Teagan.

A howling wind shot through the room, causing the top of my casket to shift open slightly, filling me with hope. If I could wake up, I’d be able to use my protective barrier. Her bruising grip tightened even more around Sylus’s throat, and I was desperate to save him.

A strangely familiar calm washed over me.

Calm seemed to flood me right before I surrounded Sylus with protection the last time.

I wasn’t sure about being able to produce the shield myself because all the other times, Sylus was holding onto me.

I had assumed the barrier only existed when Sylus was touching me.

Still, somehow something must have been happening, because Jackie’s shrill voice cut through the air.

“Oh, not this time, brat! I’m going to do what I should have done ages ago and kill you with my bare hands!”

The sound of shattered glass rang out. Shards of glass prick my thighs, forearms, and forehead, followed by the distinct grip of Jackie’s hands wrapping around my neck. I tried to move to fight her off, but the hex she had me under was still too powerful for me to overcome.

“You will not hurt her again, Jackie!” said Sylus.

The weight of his body was near my feet. Suddenly, Jackie’s weight was less heavy against me as Sylus continued to struggle with her. A slap shot through the room and Jackie’s grip on me loosened more. I gasped, and air filled my lungs again.

“Raine!” Sylus said.

“Teagan, Ara, Kiku, say the binding with me. I bind you, Jackie, from doing harm to others.”

The four repeat this chant two more times. The air around me was charged.

“Do you honestly think a binding spell is as easy as tying me up with common clothesline rope, Raine? ”

“Solvere!” she spat before letting out a gasp. Her face soon came into my view.

“No! This plan was foolproof. I shouldn’t lose. It just can’t be! I was certain the hex was ironclad.” Jackie said with another gasp.

“As soon as I kill Raine, his binding spell is void, Jackie. Then we will have the pleasure of killing the Yin and Yang Fated Mates together.” Said Accius as he lifted his hands to form an energy ball.

The energy sparked and fizzled. He looked in my direction and then toward Raine.

“This isn’t her shield. Raine, what did you do to me?”

Raine’s smirk widened.

“It’s simple, Accius. Once Jackie joined your coven, her powers grew—correct?”

“Yes.”

“And when I bound her powers—with the help of my family—well? Let’s just say you and your coven’s powers weakened. You’ll be lucky if you can scry. And forget about calling the corners.” Raine said with a chuckle.

Accius tried to form another energy ball, but it quickly dissipated as soon as he formed it.

“Fuck!”

Hands cupped my face, and I instantly knew the warmth. I put my hands over Sylus’s and smiled brightly.

“It’s finally over—isn’t it? I’m now truly yours.”

I said the words, and this time there was no impending doom that washed over me. A sense of peace replaced every doubt I’d had in the last decade with Jackie and my happiness.

“Yes. It’s over my princess, my Luna, my family, and my very breath.”