Page 22 of The Witch’s Spell (Season of the Witch #4)

Faolan

“FAIRY MAGIC?” I SNARL. “ THAT’S why we can’t leave? Why we’re all stuck here?”

Aurora gives me a look like I’m being a touch dramatic, and I probably am, but the damn fairies never do anything helpful .

They just steal shoes and spill milk and cause trouble everywhere they go.

And now we’re all trapped in this damn fog because of them.

I’m trapped around Cathal because of them.

I’m glad Aurora got him out of the cottage, but just knowing he’s here, in the village, makes my hackles want to rise.

I stand from the couch and pace the parlor, which is crowded with all of us in here. Aurora and Rowan are sitting close together on the couch, Alden is sitting in front of the fire, and Thorne is rocking slowly in the rocking chair, Harrison in his lap.

When the cat meets my eyes, I think he smirks at me .

I’ve lived here for months, and he still hasn’t let me touch him, but a complete stranger walks in, and now he’s all over his lap and purring louder than any cat has a right to.

Before I can think better of it, I growl at him.

“Faolan!” Aurora snaps, shooting me a sharp look. “You’re supposed to be helping us, not instigating.” Her green eyebrows pinch together in the center. If she were one of the rare remaining dragon shifters, I’m pretty sure she’d be breathing smoke right about now.

“I don’t know how to help,” I say, dragging my hands down my face, feeling my thick scruff beneath my fingers. “I don’t know the first thing about fairy magic.” My eyes find Thorne, and I’m reminded of the way the fog smells: like him . “But I bet he does.”

Everyone looks at him.

A burst of worry comes through my bond with Aurora. But when I look at her, she’s staring at Thorne, her hands clutching her skirt in her lap. Is she worried I’m going to start something with him?

Too late, I guess.

Without looking away from Harrison, who’s just purring louder now, Thorne says, “You’re right.”

I open my mouth, ready to argue, then realize he actually... agreed with me?

“What?” I snap.

Thorne’s eyes meet mine, and a weird sensation goes through me, like I just locked eyes with a shifter from another pack. There’s something strange about him, something he’s still not telling us .

“I’m a traveler,” he says. “My wanderings have led me many places, and I’ve picked up a few things along the way.” One of his shoulders lifts in a subtle shrug. “Many people speak of the fair folk and their ways.”

“You’re a liar.” My hands curl into fists as Aurora’s green eyes flash toward me.

“Faolan—”

“No, he’s not telling us something. He had something to do with that storm. I’m sure of it.”

Now the look on Thorne’s face shifts. His snowy brows pinch together, his silver eyes narrowing.

“Every word I’ve said has been the truth.

I’ve not spoken a word of dishonesty since setting foot in this cottage.

” Harrison jumps from his lap, and he pushes to his feet.

When he stands up straight, he’s just a bit shorter than I am, more Rowan’s height.

“Perhaps your time would be better spent trying to help us figure this out instead of picking fights.”

A growl rumbles in my chest.

Alden and Rowan both make to stand up, but Aurora beats them to it.

“Stop it,” she snaps. “The both of you. These past few days have been hard enough, and the last thing we need is you arguing on top of everything else.” Her hands are clutched tight. A mixture of anger and sadness floods our bond. “Just stop. Please.”

Now her green eyes are glittering with tears, and the sight of them takes the fire immediately from my chest.

Fuck.

I did it again. I’m a mess right now.

Shoving a hand through my long hair, I say, “I’m sorry. ”

The floorboards make a sound as Thorne shifts his weight. “As am I.”

“Thank you.” Aurora takes a sniffling breath. “Now, I’m going to bed. I plan to go to the library tomorrow, and I want an early start. Alden?”

That’s right—it’s Alden’s night with Aurora. At least that means I’ll get the bed upstairs to myself. Rowan can slum it on the floor for a night while the lying stranger sleeps on the couch.

Alden pushes to his feet and reaches for Aurora’s hand. She lets him take it, calling a gentle “good night” over her shoulder as she goes. Before Alden steps into the bedroom, he looks back at me and gives me a pointed stare.

I get it. He wants me to keep it in check.

I give him a small nod, and then he closes the door, leaving me, Rowan, and Thorne in the parlor.

Turning toward the foyer, I say quietly over my shoulder, “I know you’re keeping something from us. And I’m going to find out what it is.”

Thorne says nothing.

And I leave it at that.

For now.