Page 30 of Untraced Magic (Cutters Cove Witches #1)

A nervous laugh squeezed from my lungs at the irony of it, and I rested two hands on the wall of the shower, letting the water soak every strand of my hair.

Right now, Tyler was the only thing keeping me together, stopping me from losing my mind. He’d ducked back to his place to get changed and would be back shortly, said he’d organized a birthday surprise to cheer me up.

If I was honest, I could tell he needed it too.

I knew he was worried about me, tonight in particular.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the shower and dried my hair, pulling on some jeans and a sweater.

I hadn’t celebrated my birthday since my parents died.

It just didn’t feel right. In some ways, Tyler taking the lead and celebrating it with me was like ripping the band aid off via distraction. It suited me just fine.

His cologne hit me before I heard him knock on my bedroom door, his spicy notes washing my senses. “Hey,” I said, glancing over.

I couldn’t hold back my smile at the sight of him. A heavy jacket and jeans, socks on his feet, having left his shoes at the door.

“Hey, yourself.” He pulled me into his arms for a kiss, and I felt it all .

A desperation that hadn’t been there before. He pulled away, his hands cupping my face, and a torrent of emotion drained from him.

Tyler murmured, “You need to know I won’t let this happen. I won’t allow you to be taken to Port Fallere. You belong here with us.” He paused, his forehead resting on mine. “With me.”

I nodded, emotion twisting my heart and spilling down my face, freefalling with no parachute.

My breath scattered in my throat.

He scooped me into his embrace, burying his face in my neck and I did the same.

His breath ghosted my skin, the comfort and warmth I needed. “Nothing will tear us apart. I promise. Believe me when I say I would rather stare death in the face than never have you by my side again.”

I blinked away more tears.

“Say the words, Morgan,” he urged. “I need to hear them.”

An unsteady breath shuddered from me. “I believe you. ”

His warmth palmed my shoulders. “Good.” Then he planted his lips on mine.

A promise in his breath. Reassurance in his taste.

Tyler stared down at me, pulling an emotional storm from my eyes. He wiped it away with his thumbs. “Are you ready to go?” he murmured.

I nodded. “Just let me grab my jacket.”

He waited as I pulled it on, slipping my feet into my shoes. Grabbing my beanie, I tugged it over my ears, splaying my hair around my neck to protect me from the cold.

“Let’s go,” I said, pulling the door shut behind us.

Our hands naturally gravitated together, and I eyed him sideways.

“Care to indulge me on where we’re going?” I snuffled.

A low laugh came from him. “That would spoil the surprise…”

I didn’t like surprises. Not knowing was a feeling that had never sat right with me.

“Come on, not even a hint?” I needed a distraction. Anything to stop thinking about the what ifs currently circling my mind. My magic, the coven issue, and the goddamn dance.

He lowered his head to my ear. “I will divulge the where, but not what,” he whispered.

“Okay,” I said with a stiff laugh. “Where is this mysterious night taking us?”

Tyler straightened again. “Cutters Cliffs.”

I scrunched up my nose. “Where’s that ?”

He grinned mischievously. “You’ll just have to wait and see. ”

I rolled my eyes with a laugh as he took us down to the exposed end of the beach, where waves battered the sides of the cliffs extending high above us.

“Tyler?” I stopped in my tracks, not understanding where we would go from here.

Ocean spray brushed my face as a gust of wind caught it, causing me to shiver. I swiped at its dewy residue.

He tugged on my hand. “Trust me.”

Tyler walked us towards a cave that came into view as we got closer, leading me inside. A dampness filled my lungs as darkness swept over us. Squinting, I let Tyler lead the way, my eyes slowly adjusting to the lack of light.

“It’s just up here,” he said, pulling me deeper into the cave.

Wet sand squished beneath my shoes from a recently retreated tide, and my heart lurched against my ribcage, barely able to make out his silhouette in the dim light. It took every effort to focus my attention on him.

Pushing himself up onto a low ridge, Tyler extended his hand to me.

The hesitation in my tone clung to the dank walls. “Are you sure about this? If the tide comes in, we’ll get stuck here.” I rubbed my arms uncomfortably.

His voice came from just above me. “The tide is on its way out. It won’t be back in for hours.” He spoke with a confidence I needed to hear. “I’ve got you. Trust me. ”

I breathed in cool air, weighing my options. “You’d better be right,” I muttered, taking his hand and letting him pull me onto the slippery rise.

We clambered over uneven rock through a gap, until moonlight spread over us again, a narrow path leading us down to an intimate beach.

The sky’s reflection stained the water a deep ink, and it reminded me of one of my favorite colors that I commonly used to paint the night sky. It was devastatingly striking.

In the distance, a group of people sat on some logs in a circle, a pile of smaller driftwood in the middle. Colton’s large build and blond hair stood out from where we emerged, and I realized it was Tyler’s group of friends who I was now starting to think of as my own, as well.

Tyler slowed, placing a hand on my arm, the other laced through my fingers. “Are you okay… with this?” he hesitantly lifted our hands between us.

A smile broke over my face as I read between the lines.

“I guess they’re going to find out sooner or later.”

His lips brushed my forehead, then pulled away, gleaming down at me. I couldn’t help but grin back, a giddy, stupid grin, before we continued down the beach, hand in hand.

“There’s the birthday girl.” I recognized Colton’s voice instantly, seeing him waving at us as we walked closer.

“Hey, man.” Tyler clapped him over the shoulder in greeting .

Skye approached us. “Happy birthday eve,” she chimed, smiling as she pulled me in for a hug. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered forcefully in my ear, giving me the look .

I laughed nervously. “Thanks. I didn’t really know how.”

She pulled away, a smile on her face. Then she randomly hugged me again as if giving me a sisterly nod of approval.

“Happy birthday, Morgan,” Reid said from across the circle, lifting his beer in the air in a toast.

“Thanks. It’s actually tomorrow,” I corrected him.

“Not that I’m counting down or anything.

” I was certain the entire group knew my circumstances and what midnight would most likely bring.

The reality was, I had no idea how I would feel after tonight, and how my magic may affect me.

One last night of just being me and nothing more felt cause for celebration alone.

Wes nodded at Tyler before his gaze shifted to me, lifting his hand in a wave. “Happy birthday for tomorrow.”

“Would someone get the girl a drink? It’s her birthday!” cried Scarlet from where she sat perched on one of the large logs.

Colton rummaged through a cooler and, flipping the lids off two bottles, he placed them in his pocket. “Great way to see in a new year,” he remarked, handing one to me and Tyler.

I took a drink. “Thanks. I didn’t even know this place existed.”

Colton’s gaze moved behind me, focused on the mountains that surrounded the cove.

“Have you heard the story of Old Man Cutter?” he asked, his blue eyes wistful .

I recalled the comment Skye had made, something about the strange radio station.

I nodded. “Skye did mention something about him, yeah.”

“There’s a tale about this place, that years ago a town on these cliffs was cursed, never to be seen again. Hidden for an eternity.”

My hand stilled, halfway between my lap and my mouth.

I eyed him closely. “Are you for real?” I slid my gaze to Tyler.

Tyler’s hand landed on Colton’s shoulder, giving him a playful shake. “Does it look like there’s a town up there?”

He laughed, and Colton shook his head, lifting his shoulder in a shrug.

“Tales or truths… no one knows for sure,” he mused, his gaze traveling into the distance again.

Not far from us, another wave crashed against the shore before rapidly retreating again.

It was mesmerizing to watch, as it scattered its findings on the shore, only to take with it whatever it desired again.

Wesley’s voice came from the other side of the circle. “So, your magic will come to you at midnight, right?”

Even in the dim light, his jade eyes gleamed.

“Something like that,” I said, mindlessly picking at the sticker on my bottle. “Not sure how this whole thing works, to be honest.”

Reid nodded towards the bonfire. “Well, you’re about to see it for real. Light it up, Ty.”

Tyler turned his attention to Colton. “Care to lend a hand?”

Colton’s brow lifted, a moment passing before he nodded back .

Scarlet caught my eye. “They’re so hot when they do this.” She stared adoringly at the two of them from her perch on the log.

I cocked my head to the side, unsure what was about to happen, intrigue turning my attention back to where Tyler and Colton stood at opposite sides of the circle.

A light breeze brushed my face, soon turning into a whirlwind around the pile of driftwood. Tyler stood, making fists at his sides, with Colton bending to make contact with the ground.

Power poured from them, a bright gold from Tyler and exquisite green from Colton as they tipped their heads toward the stars. It struck me as odd; I’d never seen the stars in Cutters Cove until now. But there they were, watching us watch them.

Scarlet was right. This was so hot seeing them like this.

A vortex appeared above us filled with licks of golden flame and vine-like spirals so bright I stared in awe of its beauty. Their hands moved in front of them, palms clawing at air before the vortex of magic shot down to the pile of driftwood, igniting the bonfire with a fury of gold.

I stared open-mouthed in awe of such a thing. Would I be capable of that after today?

A roar erupted from the group and we gravitated to the warmth of the flames, amber shadows dancing over us as bursts of orange floated high above, sprinkling the night sky like golden ash falling from the heavens. Its beauty was nothing less than stunning, and I found myself just staring.

Tyler settled beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders .

“That was incredible,” I whispered, turning to face him. “You’re…” I shook my head, struggling to find the words that could describe watching such a moment.

His hand fell to my knee just as a heavy gaze pulled at me, I turned my head, following the strange feeling tugging at my spine. Colton watched us closely from the other side of the fire, his expression unreadable.

I turned to Tyler again. “That was… I don’t even have words. How does Colton’s magic work?” I asked.

Tyler rolled his bottle between his palms. “He summons his magic from the earth, draws strength from mother nature. Sometimes he sees into people’s minds when he uses it.”

“He can read our minds?” I whisper-yelled.

“Not exactly. More like feels emotions. I’m not 100 percent sure of how it works.”

I snuck a glance at Colton from across the fire, where he remained concentrated on us.

“What’s he staring at us like that for?” I asked, chancing a look in his direction again, but this time he looked away.

Tyler shrugged. “Don’t worry about him.”

Hours passed, but it felt like forever, my mind constantly on the time. The clock was ticking down to midnight when my powers would emerge, and I still wasn’t sure if I was ready.

A bottle of tequila came in my direction for the second time, and I took a swig from it, passing it on to Scarlet. It was nice to spend some time with her; she seemed friendly enough, another earth witch who owned the local apothecary in town. I warmed to her easily .

Music pumped from the speaker Reid had brought with him, and suddenly the night seemed wilder. A few of the group stripped off to their underwear, dipping into the water, their shrieks and splashes echoing throughout the cove.

“I’m not getting in that water,” I said, tugging my jacket tighter around my neck. “They’re mad!”

Tyler chuckled beside me. “Or drunk on tequila.”

I stared dumbfounded as Colton ripped off his top while he walked towards the water, ridding himself of his bottom half entirely. Butt naked, he strode into the depths.

“Oh. My. God”

I erupted in laughter, forcing my hands over my eyes. The guy didn’t bat an eyelid.

I looked at Tyler for an explanation, but he only shook his head with a grin. “He’s one with nature, that guy. Nudity’s nothing to an earth mage. Besides, the guy’s got nothing to be shy about,” he said, a deep laugh rumbling from him.

I peeked at Tyler from behind my hands. “I can’t look.”

He came closer, as if hiding behind them with me.

“Yeah, please don’t,” he laughed before his lips quickly brushed mine and I was pulled into his intoxicating allure once more.

Pulling away, my cheeks burned at the intimate display of affection, warmth sliding through me at his touch. Being with Tyler made me feel complete. It was such a strange feeling to have, and I welcomed it with an open heart.

As the evening went on, an uneasiness pricked my skin, growing stronger with each passing hour. Like an itch awaiting its scratch, it held me in its grasp, and I couldn’t kick its unwanted presence.

Willing my fears away, I took Scarlet’s hand, who had just finished hurriedly drying herself with a towel, now clothed again.

I needed to dance.