Page 43 of Untraced Magic (Cutters Cove Witches #1)

We ran back through the door into the main building, where flames now towered above us.

“There’s no way out!” cried Morgan beside me, wildly searching the room.

“This way!” I said, pointing to a part of the ceiling that had collapsed, the night sky teasing us from beyond licking flames as they ravaged what was left of the ceiling beams.

Morgan stared at me as if I’d gone insane. “What?” Without warning, she collapsed into a coughing fit as smoke filled her lungs.

I hurled her back to her feet, my arm gripped around her waist.

“Hold onto me,” I ordered her father, and he did as instructed without question. “Tight. I’m still getting used to this.”

We clung to each other, and a rush of air gusted through my wings as I fanned them out, my jaw clenched from the returning pain.

“Hold on!” I ordered.

Tensing every muscle, I pushed off from the ground until air filled its place, roaring in agony. Morgan’s scream tore through my ears as I took us higher until we coasted through the gap in the ceiling and into the sky, pure grit and determination fending off the burn slicing through my back.

I recited the locator spell we’d been chanting at Betty’s house, repeating it over and over, blocking everything out until its verse was all I heard, its rhyme on repeat, synching with the thundering of my heart.

Suddenly, we landed with a thump, the air forced from my lungs at its brutality.

I groaned, untangling my limbs to find Reid looking down at me from where he stood in the middle of the lounge.

“Well, fuck me,” he muttered, surveying my ripped top, the blood, the new appendage hanging from my back.

Skye rushed over, falling to her knees beside Morgan, concern clouding her features. “My god, Morgan! Are you okay?”

I rolled to the side to find Morgan sitting upright, Skye engulfing her in a hug.

“I’m fine,” she assured, giving a small wave to the group.

She gave me a lazy smile over Skye’s shoulder, and I felt the tug of her mate bond once more. The warmth of her soul colliding with mine again.

Morgan’s father spoke behind me. “Bruised bones, but we’re in one piece.”

“Gerald?” mouthed Betty, her words barely above a whisper.

His attention darted to Betty. “Mother?”

“Son!” she gasped.

Her hands flew to her mouth as she flung herself into his arms as if a lifetime had separated them .

“I thought I’d never see you again,” she cried in disbelief, tears falling over her cheeks. “What happened to you? We tried to find you but…” Bettys questions came on a quick breath, astonishment in every word. Every syllable.

Gerald held his mother’s shoulders. “It’s a long story. She poisoned me. Held me prisoner.”

Fucking hell.

“Can someone explain what the hell just happened? Because I felt like I was somewhere else, but I wasn’t” Said Scarlet, her brows furrowed.

“I could ask you the same question? How did you guys…” I didn’t know how to put it in words.

Colt cleared his throat. “When I used my magic I felt your fear. I knew you needed our help.”

Ah. That creepy shit he kept to himself.

“Impeccable timing. Thanks.” I grunted, rubbing at my side.

Betty smiled, pulling her nightgown tighter. “Scarlet, that was a very old spell, one I will teach you another time. I’m just thankful everyone is ok.”

Skye rushed into the room holding a glass of water and Gerald eagerly drank it in one go.

He smiled. “Thank you.” Swinging his gaze between Betty and Morgan, he rubbed at his overgrown beard. “Morgan, the best decision I ever made was to keep you safe. I do hope you will one day forgive me.”

Morgan nodded, silent tears streaming down her face. I watched as the three of them hugged, holding onto each other as if afraid to let go, before finally she was back at my side again, her hand reaching for mine.

I slid my arm around her shoulders, nuzzling her neck. “I’m so sorry I left you alone. It was stupid of me.”

She turned to face me, her hand grazing my cheek. “Don’t say that. No one could have known this would happen.”

I clasped my hands behind my neck. “I don’t get it. Why he did it, I mean.”

Skye threw her hands in the air. “Can someone tell me what’s going on here? Where is Wes?”

The group waited expectantly for an answer. Tension carving a slick silence through the room.

“Wes is a traitor. He won’t lay a foot back in this town.”

The group remained silent, soaking up my words. Accepting my truth.

I didn’t want to believe them myself, but the truth had been laid on a silver platter for me, clear as day.

Skye’s irises seemed to flicker and die, and I cringed. They’d spent the first ten years of their lives tied at the hip.

“I think we all need a stiff drink,” murmured Betty, heading for the liquor cabinet.

Colt arched a brow. “It’s 4 a.m.”

She turned to him with that damn glint in her eye. “It must be 5 p.m. somewhere in the world!”

Gerald grunted. “Some things don’t change,” he murmured, a light laugh escaping from him .

“Fine,” huffed Betty. “Coffee it is then… but I’m still lacing it with a dash of the good stuff.” She smirked.

A knowing smile bounded around the room at Betty’s comment.

Morgan snuggled into my front, stifling a yawn.

“If everyone’s okay, we might head home. It’s been a long day,” I said.

Colt nodded. “Yeah, I’m beat. Let’s debrief tomorrow.”

Reid went to slap me on the back, but I fended him off. “Easy, open wounds need to heal.”

He laughed, shaking my hand instead. “Sorry, forgot.”

“Any advice on how I change back to my human form?” I joked, half serious. I moved sideways to avoid my wings hitting the antique chandelier hanging low from the ceiling.

Skye shifted awkwardly, her voice unusually soft. “Ring Father. His great-grandfather was a phoenix shifter. I believe decades ago, there was a half-blood somewhere in our family. He will know more about it.”

I nodded in thanks.

Scarlet moved closer, giving Morgan a hug, her hand resting on my arm. “I’ll bring around a herbal tonic I’ve been working on to help with your recovery. I’m glad you’re both okay.”

I smiled at her. “Thanks. I appreciate that.” I turned to Morgan’s father. “Gerald, I have a spare bed at my house if you need somewhere to crash?”

Betty stepped forward before he had time to speak. “No, it’s okay, dear. Gerald can stay in the spare room here; it’s no trouble. Besides, we have a lot of catching up to do. ”

Gerald nodded his head in my direction. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll stay here for now. But thank you… for everything.” He shook my hand. Turning to Morgan, his hand gingerly grazed her arm. “Maybe I could come and visit sometime?”

She smiled. “That sounds like a great idea.” Their arms folded around each other, holding tight for a long moment before breaking apart.

As we said our goodbyes, joy and relief spread over Morgan’s face as we made our way down the footpath, toward the dirt trail that would lead us home. The forest was waking from its slumber, a dawn chorus following us as we walked hand in hand.

“You know, I was thinking… we don’t have to walk,” I said, raising my brows suggestively. “No one would see us.”

Her head dipped to the side. “What exactly are you implying?”

A deep laugh came from me as I gripped her waist, now certain the mate bond was replenishing my magic instantly.

“Hold on, princess.” I pushed off from the ground and we lifted into the air.

Morgan clung to my front, her legs wrapped around my waist as I took us high above the houses, until we soared among the clouds to where a blanket of stars shone down on us.

“Ty, this is breathtaking,” she gasped. “Look!” She pointed to a collection of stars. “That’s Sirius, to the left of Orion’s Belt. That’s the brightest star in the sky.”

I pulled back to watch her eyes light up with wonder. The very same eyes that had captured my heart so suddenly I had feared it.

I tilted her jaw to meet my gaze, a storm rushing my insides at the intensity of us.

“He’s a beauty for sure,” I agreed.

She giggled. “I wish we could do this all the time.”

“I knew you’d say that. Might have to check the rules for shifters on that one,” I chuckled.

I kissed her amongst the watchful stars, an all-consuming kiss that spoke of a thousand words uttered in only a breath.

As they faded to scattered bursts of light in the distance, our houses came back into view. I lowered us slowly to the ground until we landed in a forest clearing nearby, away from human eyes. She unwrapped herself from me, her doe eyes staring up at me like she was seeing me for the first time.

“I could never have guessed my life could be like this. I’ve found my father. I have magic.” Her hand fell over my heart. “And I found you .”

Wesley had completely blindsided me, kidnapped Morgan, and then disappeared off the face of the earth. I didn’t understand any of it. Didn’t want to think about it. I needed to be around Morgan right now and wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed and wrap her in my arms.

I pulled her close, nuzzling her neck.

“I thought I’d lost you, I’ve never been so scared in my life. I love you so much. You need to know that.”

My lips moved against hers, and I savored every second.

Her kiss was a promise of hope. A future I could never see until now .

Her hot breath slid between my lips. “I love you too, Tyler. More than anything in this world.”