Page 63 of The Unbound Witch

Greer fell again, her spell rebounding off a tree, barely missing me.

“You died,” she whispered, her terrified gaze shifting between her sister and Kirsi.

Kirsi studied her nails with a half smirk. “I’d forgotten how astute you were. Thank you for the reminder. Now,” she floated closer until Greer was inches from her, twisting her face until it sat at a horrifying angle, her eyes wide and haunted. “I’d suggest you put a damper on that magic before I reveal a really neat trick I learned in the human lands. Turns out, the wraiths have been holding out on us. Also, apparently you haven’t heard. She can kill you with a little finger wiggle. I mean, it doesn’t sound like fun to me, but by all means, be brave, witch. See what fucking happens.”

Greer paled and scrambled back, dirt staining her dress as she moved, jutting her chin out as if it would hide her fear. “There is nous, Kirsi Moondance. You are only a memory now. Another unfortunate loss of potential at the Dark King’s hands.” She met eyes with me. “If you killed him for revenge, then why did you kill Onyx? And Zennik? And Breya? They say you went mad.”

I opened my mouth to answer, but a twig snapped behind me. Spinning and casting without thought, I caught Ender with the spell I’d used to throw her sister. But rather than sending her flying, I pushed her up and up and up until a fall would mean certain death. I was confident the only reason she didn’t scream was pure shock and fear. A glimpse of white fur beyond made the wheels of my mind turn.

“I will kill you,” Greer threatened, standing. “Put her down.”

I let the breeze blow through my hair, narrowing my gaze. “Let’s not forget you started this fight. Tell me why. You can clearly see I haven’t gone mad, as they, whoever they are, have suggested.”

“Willow called a gathering of the coven, proclaiming you saved us all, but your mind was poisoned by the man you murdered, and, for everyone’s sake, you needed to be found.”

“You don’t know—”

“It’s true,” I interrupted Kir. “I killed the Dark King. He was toxic to this land and made me believe things that weren’t real. With his death, his spell was broken. But the shifters are after me now as well as the witches, apparently.”

She glared. “Why should we care?”

“Because,” I said, lowering my voice, though I knew I could still be heard. “There’s a shifter they call the White Wolf.” I forced fear into my eyes as I continued. “With teeth twice as long as they should be, eyes that glow red in the night, and he stands twice as high as any other wolf in this world. I came to warn my parents, but I’m afraid it’s too late for all of us.” I looked over her shoulder, studying the shadows within the trees. “He’s here.”

“I don’t trust you, Raven Moonstone.”

A low growl from within the woods was all the sign she needed as the last bit of color drained from her face. “Please, let my sister down. This is your battle, not ours.”

“Scared of a little wolf?” Kirsi asked, the cold, hard tone in her voice a shadow of what it once was.

“Four witches against one shifter? We could take him,” I said, looking over her shoulder as I raised my arms, slowly bringing her sister down.

“N-no. I want no part of your troubles. Willow and Nikos charged the Moon Coven with your capture, but you’re not worth it.”

“Nikos? Do you know where he is? He’s the only one that can help me now.”

“Let us go, and I will tell you.”

Another ferocious growl sounded from within the trees.

I released the final hold on Ender, and she darted for Greer, though she kept her eyes on the forest.

“She’s right here,” Ender yelled. “Raven Moonstone is right here.”

“Traitors,” Kirsi hissed as the witches ran the opposite direction of the threatening growl.

One second passed. Then another as the chirps and bird songs of the forest filled the air. I breathed a sigh of relief at their silent retreat, exhaustion tugging on my limbs.

Kir circled me, a wicked smile on her face. “You don’t think they went to get help, do you?”

“Nah. You know them. They’ll spread gossip, but they aren’t going to do much beyond that. They’re probably too scared the big bad wolf will hunt them down.”

“True. You can come out now, oh fearsome puppy.”

Atlas, in his human form, stepped from behind a tree, his arms folded over his broad chest. “Red glowing eyes? Really?”

I shrugged. “You’ll haunt their nightmares now.”

“At least you got the size right,” he countered.