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THE WITCH AND THE COWBOY ThreeDotsPublishingLLC RyenRowe
Thecharactersandeventsportrayedinthisbookarefictitious Anysimilaritytorealpersons,livingordead,iscoincidentalandnotintendedbytheauthor Nopartofthisbookmaybereproduced,orstoredinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,or otherwise,withoutexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisher
ISBN-13:9781234567890
ISBN-10:1477123456
Coverdesignby:RobbieWood LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2018675309 PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
To my parents, for always making sure I had a horse to ride and a book to read
TitlePage
Copyright Dedication
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-One
ChapterTwenty-Two
ChapterTwenty-Three
ChapterTwenty-Four
ChapterTwenty-Five
ChapterTwenty-Six
ChapterTwenty-Seven
ChapterTwenty-Eight
ChapterTwenty-Nine
ChapterThirty
ChapterThirty-One
ChapterThirty-Two
Epilogue
Acknowledgement
Abouttheauthor
CONTENTS CHAPTERONE Walker “Loosenup,Walker,”Laneybegged IglancedupfromthecracklingfireI’dbeenstaringat.Itwasalreadyonitslastleg,thoughit’donlyburnedfora couplehours Asperusual,Sawyer’seffortstobuilditwerelackluster Wewereluckythemoonwasbrightandcasttheentire mountaininasoftglow.Wesatinagrassyfieldthatsprawledanacreinfrontofmyhouse,nexttoawoodsyvalley.Grass swayedeasilyinthebreeze,andstarsblanketedtheskyaboveus.Itwasnowondermymotherusedtocalltheplaceher pocketofpeace.
Peacefulornot,Icouldn’tfighttheshiversthatseizedmybody.
“I’dbelooserifitwasn’tsodamncold,”Ireplied
IglaredatSawyerpointedly.Hegrinnedatme,revealinghissinglecrookedtooththatallthewomenintownfound charmingandpulledhisgirlfriendofthemonth,Laney,closer Sheflashedhimaprettysmile,andheranhiscallusedhand throughherbleach-blondehair.
Beingathirdwheelsucked.
“I’llgogetmorefirewood,”Ihuffedandwalkedtowardthetreeline.
IdoubtedtheyheardmeoverLaney’sobnoxiousgiggles.Asmybootscrunchedacrossthecrispgrass,IcursedBrody forbailingontonight’splansandleavingmealonewiththetwoofthem Oh, well.
Itwasabeautifulnight,otherthanthechill,anditwasalwaysagoodthingformetoleavethehouseforsomething otherthanwork.Iapproachedtheforestthatbankedoffintothevalleyandtheriverthatranthroughit.Ilistenedcloserand hearditsfamiliarrush.Thewindlessenedundertheprotectionofthetrees,andIwasfinallywarmundermyCarharttjacket. AsIwalked,thetreesgrewmoreabundant,otherthanwhereasmallcreekcutapaththroughtheforest.
I’dwalkedalongsideit,allthewaytotheriver,manytimes.Partiallyforsomepeaceandquietandpartiallybecause therewaslittletodoinatownthesizeofawalnut
Ifoundanoaktreewithacouplefallenlimbsnearbyandgrabbedsomeofthesmallerpieces.Iwastemptedtoforget aboutthewoodandleavethehappycoupletothemselves,butI’dalreadytoldthemIwouldbringit Itriedtomakeahabitof followingthroughonpromises.Isighed,reacheddownforonemorepiece,andfellflatonmyface.
Might be time to slow down on the beers, Ithought.Iwasn’tahugedrinker,butIdidn’tknowanybody including Sawyer whocouldhangoutwithLaneysober
Ihauledmyselfoffthegroundandnearlyfellagain.Iwasn’tthat drunk.Therattlingofrocksdrewmyattentiontothe creekbank
An earthquake with a stronger aftershock? Ithought.
Alowhumresoundedthroughtheforestandfilledmyears Icouldn’tevenheartheriver Iscrambledtomyfeetand searchedforthesourceofthestrangenoise.
“Hello?”Icalled,likeanydumbassinahorrormovie.
Icouldstillseethedimglowofthefirebehindme,butinstinctdrewmedeeperintotheforest Ikneweverycreature thatlurkedinthesewoods,andnoneofthemhummed.
Iwatchedmystepsmorecloselyandavoidednearlyeverystraytwigorcrunchyleaf Thehumminggrewlouder,untilI couldmakeoutstrangechanting.ItwasspokeninaharshlanguageI’dneverheardbefore.
Thechatteringweavedthroughthetreesandalmosteclipsedmythoughts IfIcouldn’tseethatnoonewasthere,I would’vethoughtsomeonewhisperedthechantinmyears.Feargrippedmychest,butIcouldn’tstopfollowingthesound. Curiosity,strengthenedbythepullofthechant,andmyownsurvivalinstinctswarredagainsteachother.Iduckedbehindthe nearestjuniperandprayedmybroadformwouldbehiddenbyshadows Ineededtogetoutofhere. Now. Ipeekedaroundthetreeandstifledagasp. Treestumpssmoldered,asdidblackenedgrass Mygazedidn’tlingerthere,butonthemoltenrockthatencaseda woman,allthewayuptoherknees.Herhandswereboundinthick,coppershackles.Inscriptionsblazedontheshackles, thoughtheymadeaboutasmuchsenseasthechant,whichstillhummedthroughouttheforest.
Thewomanworeatorn,blackjumpsuitandahugegashbledfromherthigh.She’dbleedoutinminuteswithacutlike that,yetshedidn’tevenappearafraid.Herchinwastiltedwithatouchofdefiance,andherfieryhaircascadedfreelydown herback Shewasunnaturallypale,whichonlymadehercopperyeyesmorefrightening ShestaredatsomeoneIcouldn’tsee.Thoughshebarelygrippedlife,shesneered.
“You’refinallyabletobestme,friend Toobadyouhadtogethighonthedeathsofourkindtodoso”
“OhGod,”Iwhispered. Hereyesmetmine.
Run, shemouthed
Iwantedtorun everyinstinctinmybodyscreamedatmetorun,yetIstoodasstillasastatue,paralyzedbythe thought Adifferentwoman’sfaceflashedthroughmymind Anolder,kinderfacewithlaughlinesandmyblueeyes Afacethat wasruinedinthehitandrunthatkilledher.
ThoughIdoubtedthewomantrappedinthewoodswasoldenoughtobeamother, someone mustbelookingforher Someone’sworldwouldtiltoffitsaxiswithouther,allbecauseIwastooscaredtohelp.
Icouldn’tleaveher Iwasherlasthope.
Ipulledmypistolfromitsholsterandracedtowardher,thoughIdoubtedtheweaponwoulddomuchagainstwhatever hadcraftedhertrap.Ikeptitonmeforbearsandwolves,notbizarrehostagesituations.Thestrange,musicalchantgrew louderwithmyeverystep
Sheshookherheadfrantically,butIreachedforanearbyrockandignoredher.Ismashedtherocksthattrappedher legstonoavail Painlacedupmyarmfromtheimpact,butIhititagainandagain Thewomanswayedaboveme,andherleg brushedagainstmyneck.Hot,stickybloodstucktomyskin.Timewasrunningout.
Laughtertwinkledbehindme.Ispunaround,butonlydarkness,loomingtrees,andfallenpineconesgreetedme.
“Sillymortal,”abodiless,femininevoicepurred “Areyougoingtoshootme?”
“Whereareyou?”Ishouted.“Tooscaredtoshowyourface?”
MyvoicewasmorestablethanIfelt Myhandsshookatmysides,andmyheartthunderedsoloudly,italmostdrowned outthechant.Istrainedmyeyes,butIcouldn’tevendiscernasilhouetteamongthetrees.
“You’retheonethat’sscared,mortal,”thevoicecrooned.“Icansmellit.”
Nauseaseizedmystomach.Itwasnolongerthedesiretohelpthatkeptmeinplace,buttheweaknessofmyknees.
“Settle,mortal,”thevoicecontinued,“youwon’trememberthisanyway.”
“Dude,”Sawyersaid,“where’sthefirewood?”
Forasecond,Icouldonlystareathiminconfusion,thenIglancedatmyemptyhands.Laneypausedassaulting Sawyer’sneckwithhertonguelongenoughtoofferaconcernedlook “Youdrinktoomuch?”sheasked.
Ishookmyachinghead “Idon’tthinkso Ijust-justneedtogethomeisall It’slate IshouldcheckonCadence” Sawyerthrewhisheadbackdramatically,andLaneyalmostfelloutofhislap.IfIwasn’tsooverwhelmedbythe strongurgetocheckonmysister,Iwould’velaughed.
“Youcan’tevengetthefirewood?”hecomplained.
Igrewmoreimpatientwiththeconversationwitheverypassingbreath.
“Getityourself,”Isaidandturnedtowalkhome
“Man,Idon’tgetyou,”hecalled,“you’vebeencrazyoverprotectiveeversince ”
AsIheardwhathedidn’tsay,mystepsstuttered
Ever since your mom died.
Well,Momdidn’tjustdie.Shewas killed, andnotevenmaliciously,butbysomeidiotouttherewhohadthebright ideatodrivedrunk.AnythingcouldhappentoCady theworldoverflowedwithidiots.Myheadachedwithworry.
IshutoffallthoughtsofSawyerandhurriedhometomysister.IkeptapacethatleftmebreathlessuntilIfinallyswung opentheolddoorsofourhouse,creptdownthedankhall,andslippedintoherroom
MoonlightpooledoverCadence’slightlytannedskin.Lightbrown,ram-rodstraighthairfannedacrossherpillow.Her littlefacewasscrunchedup,likeshe’deatenasourlemon She'dalwayshadvividdreams
Isatontheedgeofherfrilly,pinkbed,andstaredather.Icouldn’tstopmyself.Ihadtoassuremyselfshewassafe, thoughIdidn’tknowwhy.MaybeIhadseparationanxiety,likeSawyersaid.
Icouldn’trememberwhatexactlyhadtriggeredtheneedtoseeherandeverytimeItriedtopinpointit,myhead throbbed.I’dprobablyjustdranktoomuchandgottenspooked.Alcoholhadthetendencytomakemeuneasy.
Afterstaringatherforafewmoremoments,Ifeltlikeacreepandlefthertoherdreams Thetinyhallthatledtomy roomneededtobeswept,butatleasttherewasminimaldustonthefamilyphotosthathungonthewalls.Dad’ssnoringfilled thespace,despitehiscloseddoor Irolledmyeyesandcontinuedtomyroom,whichwasfarthestdownthehall,nextto Cadence’s.
UnlikeCadence’sridiculouslydecoratedroom,minehadfourbeigewalls,adornedonlybysomeshelvesandaGeorge Straitposter Itippedmyhatatthecountrylegend,whichremindedmeofhowdesperatelyIneededsleep
Istoodbeforethemirroronmydresserandstudiedmyself.Myfeatureshadn’tchanged mybrownhairstillcurled undermyhat,andmycheekswerestillatouchtoochubbytobechiseled butmyblueeyeswerehollow Somethingonmy neckcaughtmyattention.
Itwasblood.Imust’vecutmyselfonastraybranch.Ithoughtbacktowhathadhappenedintheforest.Myheadache worsened.
I grabbed the firewood, heard something that frightened me, and headed back to camp, right? Right?
CHAPTERTWO Freya Thebonewasdryandbrittleinmyhand.Itwasapoorremnantofmymother.Itmatchedmycream,lacedress.Itoyed withoneoftheflaredsleevesandswallowed Iloathedthecolorofdeath
I’dwornfartoomuchofitlately.
“She’sinSummerlandnow,”Josephineremindedme “She’llreturntothisplaneoneday”
But,accordingtotheElders,shewouldn’treturnasmymother.Shewouldbesomeotherwitch,oraflower,ormaybe evenaswan,butSybilRedfernwasgone.Forever.
So unfair
Iwasonlyeighteenyearsold practicallyababybyawitch’sstandard.Iwasn’tmeanttolosemymotheryet.
Iscuffedmybootagainstthesmooth,blackstonefloorofJosephine’sapartment MomneverfavoredJosephine’smore modernstyle.Istudiedthewhitegranitecountertop,andthevariousherbsneatlyorganizedinglasscabinetsbeyondtheisland.
TherestofthecovenenjoyedtheapartmentsJosephinedesigned.Eachoneinthebuildingwasinuse.Ialwaysadmired mygoddessmother’seyeforsleekchoices,thoughMom’scozieraesthetichadalwaysfeltlikehome.Still,Icouldn’tbring myselftoreturntoourquaintcottage.Itwasfartooquietwithoutmymother’slaughtertofillit.
“Ican’tseestraightwithsomanycleanlines,”MomwouldsayaboutJosephine’splace Likemanythingsshesaid,it madelittleandlotsofsense.
Arionrubbedagainstmylegsinanattempttocomfortme Ipettedmyloyalfamiliar,whowascurrentlyinthebodyofa lovelycalico.Hepeeredatmewithround,ambereyes,onlyafewshadeslighterthanmyown.
“Youneedtoletgo,”Josephinesaidgently.“It’swhatshewouldwant.”
Herfacedidn’tmatchherwords.Herdarkbrowsscrunchedoverglassy,greeneyes,andherusuallyoliveskinwas pale.Shetoyedwithoneofhermanynecklaces.Josephinetriedtobestrongforme,butIknewshelovedMomasmuchasI did ShewasjusttryingtoeatwhattheEldersfedussoshecouldfeelbetter
“Shewouldwantmetofindwhokilledher andalltheotherwitches,”Iargued.“Shewouldwantmeto end them.”
Circe, Luna, Rose, Helena
Theirnamesranginmyhead.Asthefutureleaderofourcoven,Icarriedtheweightoftheirdeathsonmyshoulders. Hecateknewitwasuptometoendthedeaths,consideringthelousyjobtheEldershaddonetostopit.Mymotherand Josephinehadbeentheonlyonestotakeaction,andithadgottenMomkilled Iwouldn’tletmygoddessmotherdienextorany otherwitch.
“Itwasherdyingwishtosaveus,”Icontinued
“Andyouwill.”Josephinesmiled.“BecauseIfoundthekiller.Youwill haveyourvengeance,dearest.I’llmakesureof it”
Lostintheeasygaitofmyhorse’slope,InearlyforgotaboutthenightbeforeandtheinvisibleeyesI’dfeltonmyback eversince
“Whoa,”Isaidandsankintomyseat.
Jesse,myhorseofsixyears,cametoahalt Togetherweoverlookedtherollinghillsoflushtrees,greengrass,and tricklingcreeks.Therainfromearlierinthemorningmadeitallsmellevenfresher.Abreezesighedacrossthevalleysand ruffledthehairundermyhat.
“Youknow,Jess,”Isaid.“Beingacowboymightnotpaywell,butitsuredoeshavesomebenefits.”
Hesnortedandshookhisbigyellowhead,asiftosay,“Likeyoucoulddoanythingelse?”
IconsideredthatImighttalktomyhorsetoomuchanddecidedtogetbacktowork Wejoggedalongthefenceline, untilInoticedhowlooseacoupleofthewireshadbecome.
WhenIreachedthebrokenremnantsofthewires,IcursedundermybreathandclimbedoffJesse Usingsometoolsand sparewireIstoredinmysaddlebag,Iquicklymendedthefence.Jessenibbledgrassbehindmewithoutacareintheworld. Iwalkedtohissideandputmyleftfootinthestirrup.WhenIhadswungmyselfhalfwayon,Jesseshotoutfromunder meandnearlydumpedmeonmyass
“Whoa,boy,”Iorderedandsqueezedmyreins.
Hespunaroundandturnedawild,blueeyetothefenceI’djustfixed Ialmostdidn’tbelievemyeyes Thesamewires werecleanlycutintwopieces.
“Whatthehell?”Iwondered
AfterseveralminutesofcalmingJessedown,Iclimbedoffandfixedthewires.Again.Myhandsshooktheentiretime, whichmadetheprocessevenlonger,muchtoJesse’sdiscomfort.Iworriedaboutwhatcouldcausesuchareactionfromhim. Grumpyandmoodyweredefinitelyinhiswheelhouse,butnotskittish
ThenexttimeIclimbedon,hestoodpatiently.Ihopedthatmeanthe’drecoveredfromwhateverfrightenedhimand, frankly,me Ithoughtaboutwhatcould'vecausedit,butmymindcameupempty TheharderItriedtoconsiderit,thelessclear thetruthbecame.
IpushedthethoughtsasideandfiguredIprobablyjustwasn’tasgoodatfixingfencesasIlikedtobelieve Theride backtothemainbarnwaspeaceful.Thefreshairsteadiedme,asdidthefamiliarsightsofrollinghillsandgreenforestry. Cowsgrazedandambledabouttheirbusiness.Thesunpeekedthroughtreesandwarmedmyskin.Agentlebreezetousledmy hairbutdidn’tblowviolentlyenoughtotossoffmybrownhat
AsIreachedthemainbarn,Ihadfinallyconvincedmyselfthateverythingwasfine untilInoticedthe open gatethat hadonceheldthecowsmeanttogotothesaletomorrow
Thepenwasnowempty.
Iface-palmedmyselfandturnedJessearound Icouldn’tbelieveIhadn’tnoticedtheextrafiftycowsinthelarger pasture.Iwasn’tonetomisssuchabigdetail,norhadIeverfailedtolockagate.IprayedIcouldcorralthecattleoncemore beforeNathannoticed.
Idoubtedtheoldmanwouldfireme I’dworkedforhimsinceIwasfourteenyearsoldandmademuchbiggermistakes inthelastfiveyears.
Doesn’t mean I’ll get out of stall-cleaning duty
“Walker!”agruff,familiarvoicecalled.“Whatthehellisgoingonhere?”
IgroanedandturnedJessearound.Nathanchargeddownthehillsoquickly,Iworriedhemighttakeatumble.Ontopof thehill,thebarn’smetalroofglowedfromtheslowlysettingSun.Already,thetemperaturesdropped.IfIdidn’tgetthosecattle soon,I’dbeworkinginthebitternight’scoldandhaveahellofalotharderjobonmyhands.
WhenNathanfinallyreachedme,Igotoffmyhorse Hisrantswerealwayslengthierifhedidn’tgetthesatisfactionof peeringdownatmewhenhegavethem.
“Ijustcan’tfinddecenthelpanymore,”Nathangrumbled
HecrossedhisbehemotharmsoverhisunnaturallybroadchestandprattledonabouthowIwasmoretroublethanI wasworth.Thelinesofhisagedfacewereevenharsherthanusualfromhisscowl.Westoodinthegatewayoftheemptycow penformorethanfiveminutes.Iwasshockedtheoldmanhadenoughbreathinhisbodytotalkforsolong.
“Hey,boss,”Sawyercalledfromupthehill,nearthemainbarn.“Maybeyououghttolethimgocatchthedamned things,thencontinue?Thatway,yougettwogripe-festsinsteadofone”
WhileNathangrumbledtohimself,Imouthed,“thankyou”toSawyer.Hewinkedatme,thoughIhadtosquinttosee himclearly TheSundroopedevenloweronthehorizon BeforeNathancouldcontinue,IhoppedonJesseandtookoffforthe cows.Sawyerclimbedonhisownhorseandfollowedme.
Justlikethat,ourfightfromtheothernightwasforgotten.
“Thanks,man,”Isaid “Youreallysavedmyassbackthere”
Ourhorsesjoggedalongsideeachother.Sawyer’smare,Rosy,wasaburlythingwithatemper,butSawyercaredfor herlikemostpeopledidtheirchildren I’dalwaysthoughtthatwaswhygirlsfellsoeasilyforhim theyassumedthey’dget treatedaswellashishorse.Theywerewrong.
At least he has girlfriends, Ithought ItwasmorethanIcouldsayformyself “Noproblem,”hesaidwithaneasygrin.“That’sjustthekindoffriendIam.Areyouallright,though?Itisn’tlikeyou tododumbshit.”
“Yeah,”Ireplied “Sorryforstealingyour thing” *
Freya
HewasthemostmundanewitchhunterI’deverseen,notthatI’dseenmany Ijustassumedhisdaywouldconsistof morethanmuckingoutstalls,fixingfences,andhuntingdowncattle.Admittedly,Iwasthecauseoftwoofthoseproblems.
Istoodamongthetreesofthehugepastureandcarefullyavoidedpilesofcowdung.Thehunterchattedcasuallywith hisfriendandsearchedforthecattleI’dreleased.IfinallyendedmyInvisibilityspell.Ineededhimtofindthecattlesohis friendwouldleave.Ihadn’texpectedsomethinglike him tohavefriends.
ThepairlaughedatsomethingIcouldn’thear Hiseasehadtobeanact Surely,heknewIhuntedhimbynow He must’vesensedmymagicearlierbutwantedtofacemewithoutbystanders,likehisdisgruntledbossandobnoxiousfriend. ThoughIwasn’tparticularlyfondofthem,andIhatedtooblige his wishes,Ididn’tkillinnocents,nordidIriskexposure It wasbettertoletthefearsinkintothehunteranyway.Itwouldmakehisdeathsomuchsweeter.
Arionpurredatmyside.Healwaysenjoyedhuntsevenmorethanme,butthistimewasdifferent.Thestakeswere higher,andthepunishment theoneIwoulddeal wasfargreaterthaneverbefore
Ieasedmymindwiththreesteadybreaths.Witheachone,IfocusedmoreonmysurroundingsandthepotentialmagicI couldshapetomywill.Crisp,dryairburnedmythroat,andwatergurgledinanearbystream.Dahliasswayedinthewind,as didthetreebrancheshighabovemyhead
“Magiciseverywhere,”Momusedtosay.“That’swhyyoumustalwaysbeobservant knowwhereandhowyoucan getit”
Notallnaturalmagicwasmyforte,butluckily,Icouldmanipulateairwithoutasecondthoughtanddrawpowerfrom earthtocraftameanspell Momhadn’tfinishedmytraininginfireorwaterbeforeshe Beforeshewaskilled.
Josephine,mysecondgreatestmentor,hadtoldmetostopsayingthat. “Witchescan’tbekilled,”shehadremindedme “Theycanonlybetransformed” Butscrewthat.Iwasn’tgoingtosugarcoatrealitywiththeprettylanguagetheElderscrafted.
Mymotherwasdead Gone Rippedfrommeallbecausesomefoolishhunterdecidedtopickuphisfamily’sbusiness onceagain.Josephinehadexplaineditalltome.TheReidshadlongagogivenuptheirfamilydynastyofkillingwitchesina peacetreatywithmycoven,untiltheiryoungestsonbrokethatpeace Hisjacket,whichheworeevennow,wasstainedbymy ownmother’sblood.
I’dbeenshockedtolearnhewasresponsible.We’dgonetoschooltogethersincewewereyoung.Hewaswell-liked andwell-mannered He’dalwaysseemedsoinnocuous,butIknewplentyofmonsterswhohidbehindprettyfacesandpolite smiles.
Hislaughechoedthroughthevalley,andIsawred Threedeepbreaths.
One…two…three Hewoulddietonight.
CHAPTERTHREE Walker Twohoursandfiftycattlelater,weweredone.Itriple-checkedthegate,thenwalkedJessetothebarn.WhenIslidoff, mylegswerenumbstumps ThetemperatureshaddroppedwiththeSun,andmybreathfoggedtheair WithSawyerandhis marebesideme,Icreakedopenthebarn’slarge,woodendoors.Therestofthehorses,alreadytuckedintocleanstalls, nickeredatthecoldairthatsweptin
“Settledown,youbabies,”Sawyercalled.
IwalkedJessetohisstallattheendofthebarnandenjoyedthefamiliarclopofhishooveshittingpaddingacrossthe mattedfloors Thebarnwasmyfavoriteplacetobe Lushvalleysandbreathtakingviewswereexcitingbutbeingsurrounded byhorsesbroughtmepeace.Warmlightsglowedgentlydowntheaislethatranbetweentworowsoffivestalls.Sandwiched betweenstallswerethetackandfeedrooms Eachhadheatersforcoldermonths
Somequietpartofmelongedforaplacelikethisofmyown.Itwasoutofthecards,ofcourse.Icouldn’tevenafford ourfamilyhomeifnotfortheinheritancemoneyfromMom’sparents.Hopefully,I’dbeabletoholdontoitlongenoughtoget Cadenceoutofthehouseandintocollege.Mysisterwascrazy-smart.She’dsecureascholarship.Iwassureofit.
Icouldn’tbesureofanythingelse.
WhenIturnedJesseintohisstall,ashadowflickeredbehindmeanddisruptedmyreverie Inearlyjumpedoutofmy skin.Jesselurchedatmysuddenmovement.Icursedmyjumpiness,butIcouldn’tplaceitssource.
“Sorry,buddy,”Isaidintohisear Afterafewpatsontheneck,hesettleddown Itookoffhisbridleandcheckedthathehadplentyofhayandwater.Igavehimonelastpetandwalkedoutofhisstall.
“Walker,”Sawyerhuffed.“Forgettingsomething?” Ispunaroundandwinced.
I’dleftthedamnsaddleon.
EvenJesseseemedput-outwithmynever-endingdumb-assery AsIthrewahalteronhisheadandtiedhimtothemetal barsonhisstall,hehuffedandpinnedhisearsback.
“Whatiswithyou,man?”Sawyeraskedandcarriedhissaddletothetackroom Ihadnoanswerforhim.ImadequickworkofuntackingJesse,wishedSawyerfarewell,andheadedhome.Thecluster thatwasmydaywasduetoanoverabundanceofstressandnotenoughsleep.
Ithadtobe,yettheshadowsfollowedmehome Ithrewmyhatonthedashboardandfiredupmyold,blueChevytruck Despitetheexhaustionweighingdowneverymuscleinmybody,Icouldn’trelax.
Allalongthewindingroadthatledtomyhouse,darkfiguresdancedinmytruck’swindows Theypoppedupleftand rightintheshapesofleeringfacesandviolentactions.
Oneappeareddirectlyinfrontofme ItwasadarksketchofawomanthatIswervedtoavoidandnearlycareenedoff theroad.Luckily,theshadowsdissipated,thoughitdidnothingtocalmmythoroughlyrattlednerves.Iwasnotusedtobeingso damnafraid.
Igrippedthesteeringwheelwithwhiteknucklesandkeptmyeyestrainedontheroad Countrymusicblastedthrough thespeakers,butIbarelyhearditpasttheunsteadythrummingofmyheartandoddhuminmyears.Iwantedtopulloutmygun andstartfiring,butIwasn’tsurewhatI’dshootat Ishutdownthethoughtofcallingthepolice
Hi, Sheriff, I’d like to report some shadows that are following me? No, I didn’t catch their license plate. Sorry about that
Finally,thegatewaythatledtomydrivewayappeared.Likealways,thegatewaswideopen.Thishadtobesome pranktheguyswerepullingonme.SawyerhadprobablytoldBrodyaboutwhathappenedatthebonfire,andtheywantedto punishmeforbeingsuchawuss Ipreparedmyselftodeckthem,thenhaveagoodlaughaboutit
Ipassedtheburnedpatchofgrasswherewe’dhadourbonfire.Astrangetinglewentdownmyspineatthememory, andmyheadthrobbed Ifocusedinsteadonourquaintfarmhouse Itswhitepaintneededanewcoat,butitswraparoundporch wasstillinshape,thoughitcouldhardlybeseeninthedarkness.Icouldn’tevenglimpsemymother’soldbench.
Thedrivewaywasdarkerthanusual.Themoonhungbehindthickclouds,andthestarsweretinyspecksofdustinthe sky,butthatwasn’ttheonlycauseofthedarkness.
Myporchlightwasoff.
Itwasneveroff Cadyalways leftitonforme
Iskirtedthetrucktoastop.Whateverfollowedme,Ididn’twanttofaceitinthehouse,wheremylittlesisterslept.I tookadeepbreathandpreparedtostepoutofthetruck Myhandlingeredonmypistol,untilIfinallypulleditoutofitsholster Please be Brody and Sawyer, Ithought.Ikeptthesafetyonincasetheyweretheculprits,thoughmyinstinctsscreamed, danger Theshadowscalmed,butIknewIwasn’talone.Somethingstillhummedinmyears.
Withonelastwishforsomeliquidcourage,Ihoppedoutofmytruck.Mybootshitthegraveldrivewaywithacrunch, buttherestoftheforestwasquiet.Tooquiet.Noanimalsstirred,nowaterrushed,andeventhelowhumwassilenced.One smallgustofwindblewmyway Itsmelledofhoneysuckleandrainandcopperyblood Unabletobearthesilence,Icalled out.
“Who’sthere?”
Threeheartbeatspassed.
Ahugegustofwindcamefromtheeastandblewmeintomytruck AsIhitthemetalframe,Igruntedandbitmylower lip.Bloodpooledinmymouthandmybonesrattledfromtheforceofthecrash,butshocknumbedthepain.Iscrambledtoright myselfandsearchedfranticallyforthesourceofthewindorshoveorwhateverthehelljusthitme.
“Manup!”Iyelledandspatoutblood “Showyourself!”
Adarkchuckledrewmyeyestotheleft.
“DoIlooklikeaman?”agirlaskedinamusicalvoice
Shestoodperfectlystill,dressedheadtotoeinblack,withonemanicuredhandonherhip,andtheotherclutchingher chin,asifindeepthoughtaboutthequestionsheaskedme Shecouldn’thavebeenolderthanme,thoughtherageinher strange,coppereyesagedher.Herfieryhairwasaswildasherexpression.Somethingaboutherwasfamiliar,thoughIdidn’t knowwhat.I’dcertainlyneverseenagirllikeherbefore.
Acalicocatcoiledaroundherlegsandmeowed Shepeereddownathimandscratchedhishead “Notyet,Arion,”shepurred.“Thisoneismine.”
Surelythisgirl,withhersmallstature,pretty,freckledface,andhousecatcouldn’tbebehindmytorment Hercopper eyesmetmineoncemore.
“Boo!”shewhispered.
Anothergustofwindassaultedme,thoughthistimeitwentformylegs.Islammedtothegroundonmyface.Mynose tookthebruntofthefall,andbloodspewedfromit.Iignoredthebloodandthethrobbingpain,soIcouldrisetomyfeet.With onehand,Istillclutchedmypistol,butIcouldn’tbringmyselftoturnthesafetyoff
This is some twisted joke.
“Whoareyou?”Iaskedandwinced Already,myvoicehadgrownnasallyfromtheswellinginmynose Shescoffedat myquestion.
“Asifyoudon’talreadyknow.”
“What areyou?”Iquestioned.
Herhandssqueezedintofistsathersides,andaquietchant familiar,thoughIdidn’tknowwhy fellfromherlips. Thedancingshadowssurroundedmeoncemore Iwaswrongtothinkitwasadarknight They weredarkness Thefemale silhouettesswallowedallthestarlight.
Theshadowsdrewcloserandreachedformewithtalonedhands Oneofthemgrazedmyneck,andcoldnesslikeI’d neverfeltseepedintomyskin.Iwavedmygunatthedamnedthing,andsomethinggiggledinmyear.
“Iamyouratonement,”thegirlsaid.Icouldbarelyseeherpasttheshadowsthatclosedinonme.
“For what?” Iyelled,“Idon’tevenknowyou!”
Theshadowsstuttered,butonlyforamoment,beforetheycontinuedtheirslowdescentuponme.Moreandmoreof themreachedforme Myteethchattered Ireleasedthesafetyonmypistol “Lyingwon’tsaveyou,hunter,”thegirlgrowled.“Nothingwillnow.”
Herwordsshook,butIdidn’tknowifitwasfromapprehensionorpuremenace “Please,”Ibegged.“Justdon’tkillmehere.”
Shelaughedhumorlessly.
“Youwanttochoosewhereyougettodie?”sheasked “They didn’tgettopickwhereyoukilledthem” “Ididn’tkillanybody!”Isaid.
“Thenwhyismymother’sbloodonyourcoat?”
Mymindwenttolastnight’sfuzzymemories,andthebloodthatwasstucktomyneck.Itriedtocheckmycoatfor stains,buttheshadowscreptcloser Ifdarknesscouldbehungry,herdarkminionswere Theyleachedthewarmthfrommy bodyandthebreathfrommylungs.
“I-Idon’tknow,”Istammered,“butIdidn’t doit.”
“Walker?”asmall,all-too-familiarvoicecalled “What’sgoingon?”
Myheartlurched.
Cadence
CHAPTERFOUR Nothingmadesense.
Josephinehadfoundhisblood-stainedcoat Whenshelookedformymotherlastnight,sherealizedthatMomdiedon thehunter’spropertyandhadahunchthattheReidfamilywasresponsible.Theyhadn’tbeenactivehuntersindecades,butit wastooconvenientforawitchtodieontheirland EveryoneknewClydeReidspentmostofhisdaysinthebottle,andthe daughterwastooyoungtobeguilty.
ThatleftWalker.
But how can a witch hunter be so defenseless?
“Walker?”asmall,femininevoicecalled.“What’sgoingon?”
Ayounggirl Cadence stoodontheporchofthehouseattheendofthedriveway Herbrownhairwasinaclumpon topofherheadandherpinkpajamaswerewrinkled.Shemust’vecomeassoonassheheardthecommotion. Thehunter’sfacecrumpled.
Just don’t kill me here.
“Gobackinside,Cady,”Walkerorderedgruffly.“Everything’sfine.”
Idissipatedmyshadows Thegirlwasinnocent Shedidn’tdeservetobefrightened Iwasn’tevensurethatWalkerdeservedit.
But he has to be guilty, Ithought, or else the real killer is still out there “Whoisthat?”sheasked.Hervoicedrippedwithskepticism.
“Gobackinside,”hegrumbled.
Idrewonthelifearoundmeandmutteredaquicksleepingspellundermybreath.Cadence’sjawwentslack,andshe wanderedbackinsidetoherbed.Thoughitwasforherowngood,guiltgnawedatme.Heryoungmindwassoeasyto command
“Whatdidyoudotoher?”thehunterdemanded.“Whatdidyoudo?”
Hechargedme Isummonedmyshadowsoncemore,buthewalkedrightthroughthem Hisfacewaspaleasaghost, andheshookfromtheirchill,buthedidn’tslowdown.Imutteredaspellto make himstop.Hisstepsstuttered,buthekept walking.
Itdidn’tconvincemehewasatrainedkiller,buthiswillpowerdidimpressme
Icould’veknockedhimbackwithagustofwind,butIlethimgetclosertome,untilhestoodinchesaway.Histall frametoweredoverme Thisclose,Inoticeddarkcirclesunderhiseyesandstubbleonhischin Thefaintsmellofanimals stillclungtohisclothes.
Iwaitedforhimtothrowapunchorattempttousethegunheclenchedsotightly,buthedidnothing Heflexedhisfist, butitstayedathisside.
“Idon’tknowwhoyouare,”hesaidslowly,“butI’mnotwhoyou’relookingfor.I’mnota killer”
Istudiedthedesperatelinesofhisface,hisclenchedfist,andthepistolinhishand He’duseitifIdidn’ttellhim wherehissisterwas,yethedidn’tthrowapunchnow.I’ddonenothingbutterrorizehim,yetheshowedmemercy.Evenifhe didattemptphysicalforce,itonlyfurtherprovedhewasnotrainedwitchhunter Mymotherwouldn’thavediedatan amateur’shands.
Ibelievedhim
“Yoursisterissafe,”Iassured.“She’sjustsleeping.”
IknewitwaswhathemostwantedtohearbecauseitwaswhatImostwantedtohearwhenJosephinehadreturned fromhersearchformymother
“Butyou arenotsafe that’snotathreat,”Iexplained.“You’vebeendeemedawitchkiller.Otherswillcomeforyou.” Mywordsweren’tabluff Therestofmycovenwouldn’tgivehimachancetoexplain,northeywouldstretchouthis deathasIhadintendedto.Evenifhewereinnocent,noneofthemwouldshedatearoveraReid’sdeath.Hisveryblood robbedhimofhisinnocence Icould’vekilledhimandbeencelebratedforit.
ButIwassoverysickofdeath.
“W-witch?”Walkerstuttered.
“WhatdoyouthinkIam?”Iasked “Amermaid?”
“Yeah,”hehuffedandglancedatmyhair.“IthoughtArielsentanarmyofshadowsafterme.”
Heranahandthroughhiscurlsandlaughedhumorlessly “Thisisinsane,”hebreathed.“Witchesaren’treal.”
Itriedtobepatientwithhim,butwedidn’thavemuchtimeforprocessing.I’dexposedmykind.Evenifhisfamilyhad
tiestothemagicalworld,Walkerhadn’tknownaboutus,andIshould’vekeptitthatwayorkilledhim.
Ouronlyshotatsurvivalwastofindtherealkillerandclearbothournames.Then,Walker’smemoryofuscouldbe wipedclean,andhecouldgobacktothenormallifeheclearlybelongedin Maybeheneededfurtherproofthatwouldn’tscarehim.
Iliftedmyhands,andfallenleavesbeneathourfeetmirroredthemotion Withatinybitofwind,Itwirledthemaround me.Walker’seyesgrewaslargeassaucers,andhisjawwentslack.
“We are real,”Isaid,“andsomeonehasbeenkillingus Thefirstremainwasfoundlastnight” “Itbelongedtoyourmother?”heaskedsoftly.
Iwasn’tsureifthesympathyonhisfacemademewanttoyellorcry,soIkeptmyresponseshort.
“Yes”
“I’msorryforyourloss,”hesaid.
“Thankyou”
ImeantwhatIsaid.Thesentimentfeltsomuchmorerealthanyou’ll see her again or be grateful she’s transcended this life Ididn’tcareifitmademeabadwitch Iwastiredofsugarcoatingmygrief
“Iknowsomeonewhocanhelpus,”Isaid,“butwemustgotoherquickly.Iwon’tletanotherwitchdie.” “Walker?”afamiliar,childishvoiceyelled.
Impossible, Ithought Iloweredmyhands,andtheleavesdriftedtotheground Cadencewalkeddownthestepsofherhomeandeyedmewearily.Hereyesshouldn’thavebeenopenatall.Thespell I’dcastwasmeanttolastatleasttwohours Assheventuredcloser,heremeraldgreeneyescaughtmeoff-guard I’dnever seensuchabrightcoloroutsideoftheMoonflowerfamily a witch family.
MaybetheReidshadgottentheirhandsonsomewitchmagicovertheyears,anditstillprotectedtheirdescendants.It wouldn’tbethefirsttimehuntersusedourownpower thepowertheydeemedunholy againstus.
Leavesandtwigsstucktothegirl’spinkpajamas,butitdidn’tslowherdown.
“Cady”Walkersighed “I’mjusttalkingtoafriend Gobackinside”
Cadylookedmeupanddown,thenscrunchedhernose.
“Butshe’sagirl,”shesaid “Younever bringgirlsover” “Whatever,”Walkermumbled.“Idooccasionally.IthoughtItoldyoutogobacktobed?”
Walker’scheeksreddened,andIbitbackasmile.Hehadnoreasontobeembarrassed.Surely,nohumangirlsrejected him.Laborhadtonedhisbody,andtheSunhadbleachedpiecesofhisbrowncurls.Hisfacewasmasculine,butheldonto youthinhisslightlyplumpcheeks.Hewasboyishbuthandsome.Thoughhewasn’tmytype,Icouldcertainlyseeanappeal. Cadyscratchedherhead
“Wait,”shesaid.“Youdid butnotbeforeIsaw…something.” “Walker,”Iinterrupted “Shouldn’twerunthaterrandItalkedabout?” “Anerrand?”Cadyquestioned.“Ateighto’clock?”
Sheglancedbetweenthetwoofus.
“Somethingisn’taddinguphere,”shesaid Cadywastoosmartforherowngood,andIcouldn’thaveherfollowingus.
“We’regoingonadate,”Isaid “You?”shesaid.“Withhim?”
“Yes,”Walkerreplied “Withme Isthatsohardtobelieve?” “Waytoshootoutofyourleague,bigbrother.”
Isnorted,anditwasmyturntoblush.Arionweavedbetweenmylegsineffortstocomfortmeandhimself.Hewas confusedatthisturnofevents,buthewouldstayloyaltome,nomatterwhat
“Oh,Isee,”shesaidandstudiedArion.Hecockedhisfluffyheadather.“Shebroughtacatonyourdate.It’smaking moresensenow”
IlaughedanddecidedthatIlikedthislittlegirl.
CHAPTERFIVE Walker Awitchsatinthepassengerseatofmytruck.
She’dofferedherown“special”formoftravel,butI’ddeclined I’dhadenoughspecialinonenighttolastalifetime Shestaredoutthewindowwithpursedlips.Hercoppereyesstudiedthetreesweblurredpastasifsheplannedon drawingthem Herlegscrossed,thenstraightened,thencrossedagain Herfingersdrummedagainstthedoor Shehadn’t commentedonthetruck’sdustyinteriororfaintsmellofcowcrap,butthelongerwetraveled,themoreuncomfortableshe grew.
“Don’tlikecarrides?”Iasked
“No.NeitherdoesArion.”
Hercat whichIsuspectedwasmorethanacat satontheconsolebetweenus Hishacklesremainedraised,andhe glaredatmeeverytimeIlookedatthewitch.
“Younevertoldmeyourname,”Isaid.
Shehesitatedthensighed.
“IsupposeImightaswelltellyou,”shesaid.“I’mFreya FreyaRedfern,daughterofCovenMotherSybilRedfern.” “Okay,FreyaRedfern,”Isaid “WhereexactlyamItakingus?”
“TotheonlywitchIstilltrust,”sheanswered.“Tomygoddessmother,andinterimCovenMother,Josephine.OnceI convinceherofyourinnocence,she’llknowwhereweneedtogonext”
“Ithoughtyousaidthewitchesweregoingtoshootfirstandaskquestionslater?”
Shechewedonherlowerlip.
“Josephinewon’t,”sheassuredme.“Atleast,Idon’tthinkso.” Isighed.“Great.”
“Turnlefthere,”sheinstructed
IsteeredawayfromthewindingroadthatleddownmountainandintoheartofHolCreek.Thetinylightsofthe downtownstreettwinkledinthedarkness,andafewpeoplemilledaboutlikeantsinthevalley Alongthemountainsidethat overlookedtown,wedrovepastseveralhomes.Thiswaswherethebusinessownersandprettymucheveryonewhowasn’ta rancherlived.
Thehousesallhadmultiplestoriesandhugewindowsandanythingelsethatoozedmoney I’dalwaysthoughtitwasa bitridiculous.Thegravelroadledupward,andwereachedanapartmentcomplexI’dneverseenbefore.Ihadn’tevenknown ourtownhad apartments
Theyperchedonahillabovetheroad.Treescoveredmostoftheblackstonestheywerecraftedfrom,thoughwhat showedglintedinthemoonlight Windowspeekedthroughthetrees,butIcouldn’tseewhatwasinsidethebuilding
“HowhaveIneverseenthisplace?”Iasked,“orheardaboutit?” Freyasmiledmischievously.
“Howhaveyouneverseenmebefore?I’veknownyoumywholelife Parkoverhere Idon’twantyougettingina wreckandblowingthiswholeoperation.”
Shepointeddownthestreet,butnottooclosetotheapartments WhenIshiftedthetruckintopark,abriefhumfilledthe interior.Isearchedoutsideforathreat,thenlookedatFreyaandnearlyjumpedoutofmyskin.
ItwasFreya,butitwasn’t
Herhairwasstrawberryblondeinsteadoforangeandred,andhercoppereyesweremuddybrown.Hershoulders slumped,andherarmswerethin.Herskinlostitsdewyluster,thoughherfrecklesremained.IknewI’dseenthosefreckles before
“Emily?”Isaid.“EmilyBanksis you?”
Shelaughed,andeventhathadchangedtoaflatcough Hersmilewasbright Iwonderedwhatitlookedlikewithher realface.
“Mymotherwantedmetoberaisedfamiliarwiththehumanworld,”sheexplained.“ShesaidifIweretolead,I neededtoknowourgreatestthreatinsideandout.So,I’vebeensplittingmytimebetweenwitchcraftapprenticeshipandhuman publicschoolallmylife.Icouldn’texactlyattendwithmynormalappearanceandnotattractattention.”
“Didn’twanttobeatoffpoorhumanboyswithastick,huh?”
“Ionlymeantthatmyfeaturesarerareforhumans,butI’mgladtoknowyouthinkI’mbeautiful.”
“I-Ididn’tsaythat!”
Oh, God. Did I really just flirt with a mythical creature who attempted to murder me an hour ago?
Shesnickeredatmyfrustration,thenswitchedbacktoher“normal”appearance.Onesecond,shewasplain-faced,and
thenext,shewasFreya.Watchingitgavemeaheadache.
“So,youuse magic tohidethisplace?”Iasked,“andyourself?”
“Magicisn’taswear-word, Walker ”
Neither is my name, Ithought.Iturnedoffthetruckandhoppedoutside.Naturally,Iwalkedaroundthefrontoftheold thingtoopenFreya’sdoor,butshe’dalreadygottenoutbythetimeIreachedit Shefrownedandsteppedaroundme Arion washotonherheels.Ineededtolayoffthechivalry.Shewasa witch. Freyacouldtakecareofherself.
“Everyoneshouldbeatthegatheringinthewood,”Freyasaid “They’reperformingaspellforclarityaboutwhat happened,butalltheothershavebeenfruitless.Whoever’sresponsibleiscoveringtheirtrackswithsomeprettyremarkable magic.”
“Whataboutthewoman witch we’reheretosee?”Iasked
“She’sstayingbyherportalincaseIneedhelptonight.Shewantedtocome,butIinsistedIworkalone.”
“Yeah,”Isaid “Itwould’vebeenhorribleifsomethingwentwrongwhileyouweretryingtokillme”
Freyasighedandstopped.Westoodinfrontofmytruckonthepavedroadthatledtotheapartments.Themoonlight poureddownonus
“Iamsorry,”Freyasaid.Hercoppereyesstareddeeplyintomine,andshetuckedastraycurlbehindherear.Itsprang freeimmediately.“Ithoughtyoukilledmymother.Iwouldn’thavehurtyou,hadIknownthetruth.Iwouldn’thavedraggedyou intoanyofthis”
Tearswelledinhereyes,andIsuddenlyfeltlikeanass.Thepoorgirl’smomhadjustdied.Iknewhowthatfelt.Itwas whyIkeptthepityoutofmystare
ThatwasallanyonecouldoffermeafterMom’sdeath,otherthanwhisperstheythoughtIdidn’thearabouther“tragic accident.”Thencamethetalkofhowpoorlymydadhandledit.Formylasttwoyearsofhighschool,Iwasreducedto the kid whose mom died or Drunk Clyde’s son. OnlySawyerandBrodydidn’ttreatmedifferently,andthatwastheonethingthat madeitbearable.That,andtheirunderstandingwhenI’dsnapfornoreasonorgodayswithouttalking.
IfIcould’vekilledtheguyresponsible,Iwould’ve “Consideryourselfforgiven,”Isaid.“Justdon’tletithappenagain.” “Nopromises,”shesaidandwinked Ireallyhopedshewasjoking.
Ifollowedherupthepavedroad,whichcurvedtotheleftandtransformedintowhitecobblestones.Theapartments loomedtallerthanIexpected,andasecondbuildingstoodacrossthecobblestonestreet,fartherupthemountain.Wellgroomedflowerbedsflourishedinfrontoftheapartments.Adark,stonefountaintrickledinthemiddleofthecul-de-sac.Inside it,astatueofthreewomenspatwaterintothepool Nocarswereparkedanywhere
Wewalkedaroundthestatuetoreachtheentrancetothefarthestapartment.Oneofthewomen’sfaceswaslinedwith age,theother’swasroundwithyouth,andonewassomewhereinbetween
“It’sthefacesoftheGoddess,”Freyaexplained,“theVirgin,theMother,andtheWiseWoman.”
Inodded.Iwasn’tsurewhatelsetosay.Therewasn’talotofreligiousdiversityinatownwithonestoplight.Atleast, notthatI’dbeenintroducedtountilnow Upuntilhighschool,Ihadn’tevenknownanyonebelievedinanythingotherthanGod
Wewalkedtofrontofthetall,whitedoorsthatledintotheapartmentbuilding.Anawningperchedaboveus,anda goldendoorknockergleamed IreachedaroundFreyaandopenedthetalldoor Shesteppedintotheentryway Abright,golden chandelierhungfromanarchedceilingthatwascraftedfromcedarbeams.Ourstepsechoedondarkstonefloors,whichwere similartowhatthecomplex’swallswerebuiltfrom Wefacedagold-paneledelevator Hallwaysbranchedtoourleftand right.
Freyasnappedherfingers.Theelevatordingedanditsdoorslidopen.Ifollowedherintothetightspace.Freya’shair wasextrabrightagainsttheelevator’sshimmering,whitewalls Wetraveledupfourfloorsbeforewereachedourdestination
“Letmedothetalking,”Freyainstructedandsweptintotheroom.
Isteppedoutoftheelevator Thesuitehadanopenfloorplan Ahugekitchenstockedwithvariousherbswastomy right.Beyondthatsatanexpensive-looking,greenvelvetcouch,awhitefurrug,andacoupleofblackleatherchairsthat anywhereelse,Iwould’velovedtotestout Plantswerespreadthroughoutthespaceinpotsofdifferentsizes Theyweresome oftheonlypopsofcolor.Thewhite,cleanlinessofitmademyworkjeansandtanCarharttcoatfeelespeciallydirty.
Totherightwasaseparateroom,whichIassumedwaswherethewitchslept.Sheprobablylurkedtherenow.
“Josephine?”Freyasaid
Arootslitheredfromasmalltreepottedtomyright.Ijumpedoutofitsreach,butitchasedmeandwrappedanironcladgriparoundmyankle Arionhissedatthebedroomdoor
“Josephine!”Freyayelled.“Stop!He’sinnocent!”
Theroot’sgripdidn’tloosen,butitdidn’ttighteneither.
“Comeout,andI’llexplain,”Freyabegged.
Theblackdoorofthebedroomcreakedopen,andatall,beautifulwoman presumablyJosephine steppedout.She
woreadark,shimmerydressthatwasoddlyformalforsomeonehomealone.Thewitch’sonyxhairwaspulledbackintoa tightponytail.Herolive-tonedskinradiatedyouth,butasmallworrylinecreasedbetweenherbrightgreeneyes eyesthat remindedmesomuchofCady’s,Inearlygasped
“Howcouldyoubringhimhere,dearest?”Josephinedemanded.“He’sa Reid.”
“Idon’tknowwhatyou’vebeentold,”Iinterjected,“butI’mnotfromalineofwitchhunters Ididn’tevenknowyou existeduntiltoday!”
“Isthatso?”Josephinepurred Therootslitheredfartherupmyleg,untilitwrappedsotightlyaroundmycalf,only pridekeptmyscreamsincheck.Freyaglaredatme,andIrecalledherorderformenottospeak.
Maybe I should let her handle it
“Hecouldn’thavedoneit,Goddessmother,”Freyaargued “Hecouldn’tholdhisownagainstme Momcould’vekilled himsixtimesbeforeheevendecidedtofightback.”
Hergoalwastodefendme,butdamn Shemightaswellhaveproclaimedmeneutered
“Buttheblood,”Josephineargued.
“We’llgettothebottomofit,”Freyaassuredher
“Child,youbetter!”Josephinescolded.“Hisfamily’shistory…it’snothistorytoallofus.Someofusrememberthe Reidsbeforetheir retirement.”
Josephineglareddaggersatme Herbright-eyedgazemighthavebeenfrighteningifIwasn’thunguponwhatshe’d revealed.Iblamedmyshockformyidiocy.
“Howold are you?”Iasked Iregrettedthewordsassoonastheyspilledoutofmymouth.
Stupid, stupid, stupid
Iknewbetterthantoaskanywomanthat,letaloneawitch.
Freyasteppedinfrontofme.“See?He’sfartoostupidtohavekilledSybil.”
Consideringshewasseveralinchesshorterthanme,Freya’sbodyshieldwascomical,butitdistractedJosephine The olderwitchshookherheadandsighed.WhenshespoketoFreya,hervoiceshook.
“YouknowIcan’tprotectyouifthecovendiscoverswhatyou’vedone,dearest You’veriskedDebasement” “Debasement?”Iasked.“What’sthat?”
IfJosephinehadspatonme,itwould’vefeltmorerespectfulthanheransweringglare.
“Exile,”Josephineanswered.“Orworse,anundignifieddeath onethatendsintorment.”
CHAPTERSIX Freya Iwastemptedtostranglemygoddessmother.
“Youknewthis?”Walkerasked,“whenyou ” I’dneverintendedforWalkertodiscoverexactlywhatIriskedbysparinghim.Already,hethoughtheowedme,which hedidn’t itwaswrittenclearlyacrosshisface,butIsavedhimasmuchformyselfasIhadforhim ItwaswhatMomwould’vedone.
“Yes,”Isnapped.“Don’tmakemeregretitbygettingallsappy.”
Heslammedhisslackjawshut Hisjawlinebecameahardridge,andhisgazewaslaser-focusedonafernacrossthe suite.
At least he’s not looking at me like I’m a hero Itwasridiculous hewasgratefulsimplybecauseIhadn’tkilledhim “Doyouhaveanyadviceforwheretostart?”IaskedJosephine.
SheglancedbetweenWalkerandmeseveraltimes.Shesighed,thenuncrossedherarms.
“Westillhaven’theardfromthewolves.I’vebeenmeaningtosendsomeonetoinvestigate.”
“Icouldleavewithouttherestofthecovenwonderingwhy,”Imused.Walkercoulddisappeartoo,andnoneofthem wouldthinktogolookingforhiminwolfterritory Onequickspellcouldconcealhislocation,sonoonecouldtrackhim magically.
“Wait”Walkerpausedhisbrooding “Werewolves?”
“Yes,”Josephinesaid.“Keepup.”
Walkerrolledhiseyesandranhishandsoverhistiredface.
“Andwecangetclosertodiscoveringwho’sreallyresponsible,”Icontinued.“Thisisagoodidea.”
“Dearest,”Josephineassuredwithherusualgrandeur.“Ionlyhavegoodideas.”
Ismiledather Itwasthefirstthingshe’dsaidindaysthatsoundedlikehernormalself,andnotsomeautomated messagecraftedbytheElders.
“Ican’tleaveCadydefenseless,”Walkerinterjected “Ourcovenwon’thurther,”Ipromised.
“I’llprotecthermyself,”Josephinevowed.“YoumusthelpFreyacleanupthismess,unlessyouwanttobringthe dangerrighttoyoursister’sdoorstep”
Heconsideredthisandslowlynodded.Hewasprobablylessworriedaboutthecovenandmoreworriedabouthis father,butwebothknewshewasbetteroffwithhimthanwhereverintheGoddess’snamethisinvestigationtookus
“We’llsetoffassoonasthenextsunrises,”Ideclared.“Readyforyourfirsthunt,Walker?”
Isleptinthebedofmyenemy Well,myenemyasofafewhoursago Iwouldn’tcallusfriendsnow,butatleastI wasn’ttryingtokillhim.
Walkersnoredfromhisplaceonthefloor,infrontofthebed I’dofferedtosleepthere,butheinsistedhecouldsleep comfortablyanywhere.Fromthepowerofhissnores,Ibelievedhim.Truthfully,Iwouldhavebeenfinesharingabedwith him,butWalkerwasdeterminednottomakemeuncomfortable,andIdidn’tmindtheextraspace.
HisroomwaswhatIexpected simplebutclean,andaboveall,functional Afanwhirredonabedsidetabletomy left,andcricketschirpedoutside.IlongedforthescentofMom’sgarden jasmine,lavender,androsemary andhermuch softersnores
Istillhadn’treturnedtoourcottagesinceherpassing.Thoughitwouldstillsmelllikeherandhaveallherdecorations andherbs,shewouldn’tbethere Icouldn’tfacethetruthyet thatitwasn’taplaceImissed,butapersonandthatpersonwas gone.
Iwashomeless.
Mychestachedwithgrief IhadthoughtlosingMomhadkilledmybrittleheart,butitstillsenthot,slowpainthrough mybody.
Arioncurledupagainstmyback Ileanedintohiswarmth
NowthatI’dexposedwitch-kind,Icouldn’tevenattendtheTranscendingCeremonyforMom.Everyoneelseinthe covenwouldgetachancetogrieveandcelebrateher Theywouldrelyoneachotherforstrength,whileIfoughttoprotectus all.Thisshould’vemademeangry,butIcouldn’tfeelanythingbeyondtheacheinmychest.
Witches aren’t meant to be alone.
ItwaswhatMomalwaystoldmeondaysthecovenparticularlyannoyedme
IstaredandstaredatWalker’swhiteceiling.Exhaustionweighedonmybody.I’dexpendedalotofmagictodayand neededtorecharge,butmymindrefusedtosettle.Mychestthreatenedtoburst.
Aloneinthedark,Icried * Walker
“Walker!”
Irubbedmyeyesandflippedover.MaybewhateverdisturbedmewouldgoawayifIignoredit.
Coldwatersplashedacrossmyface Isatup,gasped,andswungblindly “Hey!”Cadencereprimanded.“Watchit!Yougavemenochoice.Itried towakeyounicely.”
Cadencestoodovermewithanemptycupinherhand.Sheshotdaggersatmewithherburninggaze,thenwaggedher littlefingersatmybed.
Oh, shit. Freya.
“Whyisa girl inyourbed?”shewhisper-yelled “It’salongstory,”Isaid.OnethatIcouldn’texplaintoher.
“Mm,”shedraggedoutthesyllables,“Hm I’msure ” Great. Eversinceheronedayofsexeducation,Cadencelovedinnuendos. “Isleptonthefloor,”Ipointedout.
“Ordidyouhearmecomingandmove?”sheargued. “Yeah,”Isaid,“becauseIwassoalert.”
“Maybeyou’vetakenupacting,”shesaid,thensighed “Okay I’lladmit thatonewasalittlefar-fetched” Freyawhimperedinhersleepanddistractedbothofus.Iwonderedhowsomeonesoscarycouldhavenightmares.
“Mom,”Freyawhispered
Damn. Eventhewickedwitchmissedhermom.Cadencefrowned.
“Isshelikeus?”sheasked.“Ishermomgonetoo?”
Inoddedandshooedheroutoftheroom.WithonelastsympatheticglanceatFreya,shescurriedaway.Istoodand wonderedhowbesttowakethewitch.Idefinitelywasn’tstupidenoughtotryCadence’strickonher,butIdidn’texactlywant togetinherspace
Icouldn’tseeherfaceunderherpileofhair.Mybrownsheetsweretwistedaroundhercreamyskin.She’dgrabbed somepajamasandachangeofclothesshekeptatJosephine’sapartment Itunnervedmetoseeherinasweatshirtandshorts Themundanelookdidn’tmatchherwildappearance,butIguessedwitchessleptlikeeveryoneelse comfortably. Freyawhimperedagain.
Icursedmyselfforbeingafraidofasleepinggirlandpickedupmypillow Ilightlytappedherlegswithitandbraced myself.Shedidn’tbudge.Itappedheragainwithalittlemoreforce,andsheshotup.Aninvisibleforcepushedmeagainstthe wall,butassoonasherwide-eyedstaremetmine,theforcereleasedme Theimpactknockedthebreathfrommylungs,butI didn’tthinkitwouldleaveabruise.
“Oops,”shesaidandfrowned “Didyouhitmewithapillow?”
“Lightly,”Iansweredandrubbedthespotonmybackthathadcollidedwiththewall.Sherolledhereyesatmeand stretchedlikeacat.Hersweatshirtslidupandexposedastripofhertonedstomach.Beforeshecaughtmestaring,Iquickly lookedaway MaybeCadencewasright havingagirlinmybedwasweird,nomatterthecircumstance
Igrabbedafewthingsfrommyclosetandheadedintothebathroomtoshowerandchange.Iwasn’tsurewhenorifI’d gettodosoagain Ialsowasn’tsurehowtobreakthenewstoCadence Noversionofthetruthorlieswasbelievable
“Breakfastisready!”Cadencecalled.“Ihavesomeforyoutoo,girl-in-my-brother’s-bed!”
Somedays,Iwasgratefulmydadwasanalcoholicandusuallysleptpasteleven IsteppedoutofthebathroomandbumpedintoFreya.
“Sorry,”webothsaidatthesametime.
Shedroppedtheclothesinherhand,andIpickedthemupforherwithoutathought WhenIhandedthemtoher,she woreastrangesmile.
“Areallhumanboysthischivalrous?”sheasked
“Onlythegoodones,”Ianswered.IwishedSawyerhadseenit thatwasactuallyprettysmooth.
Shit Ineededtogetoutmore.Iwasbeingsmooth towitches.
WhilewewaitedonFreya,CadenceandIenjoyedthebreakfastsheprepared.Itconsistedofslightlysoggycereal,a banana,andaglassoforangejuice.Simplicitywastypicalofourkitchen Cadencelearnedeverythingsheknewfromme.
Freyaemergedfromtheshowerinablackleatherjacketthrownoverahuntergreenshirt,andblackjeans Herdamp hairalreadythreatenedtoburstfreeofthebraidshe’dwovenitinto.Afewgoldnecklaceshungaroundherneck,andeachone heldadifferentsymbolortrinket Sheworearingwithadecent-sizedblueandredstoneonherrighthand Shenoticedmy
stare.
“It’sabloodstone,”Freyaexplained.“Itpromotesstrength.”Shepulledoutthechairnexttomeandliftedherbanana.
“Walkerdoesn’tbelieveincrystals,”Cadencechimedin,“hesaystonevertrustsomeonewhoputstheirfaithin jewelry.”Iglaredatmyoh-so-helpfulsisterandclenchedmyjaw.
“Doeshe,now?”Freyaasked
Shesmirkedanddugintoherbreakfastwithoutacomplaint.Iwonderedwhatwitchesusuallyate.Mygazefellon Cadence,andIsearchedfortherightwordstotellherIwasleaving
“Walker,”Cadencechided,“you’restaring.”
“Sorry,”Imumbled.“Iwasjustthinking Ihavetotellyousomething,Cady.I’mgoingonatrip.” Sheblinkedatme
“Wherearewegoing?”sheasked.
“No,”Icorrectedher “Ihavetogo youhavetostayhere”Sheglanceddownthehall,towardDad’sroom Guilt gnawedatme.
“What?”shesaidandrosetoherfeet “No no,I’mcomingwithyou!”
“Youcan’t,”Isaid,“wherewe’regoingistoodangerous.You’resaferhere.”
“So she getstogo?”CadenceyelledandpointedatFreya.“You’releavingmebehindtogoonatripwithsomegirlyou mettensecondsago!Don’ttellmeaboutthe danger, Walker Enjoyyourromanticgetawaywithoutme”
Shestormedoutofthekitchen,butnotbeforeIcaughtaglimpseofthetearthatfelldownhercheek.Herdoorslammed shut,andIwinced
“Thatcould’vegonebetter,”Freyasaid.
“Really?”Irepliedsarcastically.“Thatwas exactly thereactionIwaslookingfor.”
Freyamunchedonherbananaandtookaswigoforangejuice.
“Atleastshedoesn’tsuspectthetruth,”shesaid.
Shemadeafairpoint Ishould’vebeengratefulformysister’sassumptions Theywereeasiertodealwiththanher usualtenaciouscuriosity,butitdidn’teasemychurningstomach.IwassupposedtobeCady’scaretaker someoneshecould relyon andI’dletherdown She’dhadenoughofthatalreadyinhershortlife “Hey,”Freyasaidandplacedherhandovermine.“You’redoingyourbest.It’sallyoucando.”
Hersmallhandwaswarmagainstmine.Toowarm.Ipulledawayandnodded. “Thanks.”
So much for being smooth, Ithought.Shejerkedherhandawayandrosetoherfeet.
“Webettergetmoving,”shesaidandhurriedoutthefrontdoor Iplacedtheabandoneddishesinthesinkandwashedthem.Icheckedthefridgeandfreezer therewereenoughfrozen meals,waters,andmilkforthemtoeatforatleastafewdays IprayedIwouldn’tbeawaylongerthanthat Dad’ssnoresechoedinmyears.
Why do you have to be so useless?
Icouldn’tmakemyselfleavewithCadencestillinhiscare Facedwithnootheroption,IcalledMrs Morris,the motherofCady’sbestfriend,andleftamessagewhenshedidn’tpickup.
“Sorryforthelatenotice,butI’mgoingoutoftownforafewdays,andIreallyneedsomeonetowatchCady Please pickherupassoonasyougetthis.”
Arionemergedfrommybedroom Hemust’vereallyenjoyedmybed,sincehe’dactuallystrayedfromFreya’sside longenoughtosleepin.Asheprowledintothekitchen,thecatstaredatmewithkeen,ambereyes.Ifheweren’tacat,I would’vethoughthelookedsmug.IguessedIwouldtoo,ifIwereafour-leggedcreaturewhokickedahumanoutofhisown bed
ThecatmeowedbythedoorFreyahadexitedthrough,butIignoredhimandwalkedtowardCadence’sroom.Iknocked lightlyonherdoor,whichneededafreshcoatofpaint I’dmeanttoapplyonesoon,but,likemanythingsthisweek,thoseplans hadgoneawry.
“Goaway!”sheyelled
“Cady,”Ipleaded,“Idon’twanttoleaveyou.Pleasedon’tbemadatmerightnow.Atleastgivemeahuggoodbye.” Desperationtangledmyinsides,andIfoughttokeepitoutofmyvoice.TherewasaveryrealchanceIwasn’tgoingto returnhome Ididn’twanttoleavewiththeknowledgethatourlastinteractionhadbeensougly,butIcouldn’tmakeher suspiciousenoughtofollowmeeither.
“Idon’twantto,”shehuffed Iflinched.
“Okay,”Isaid,“Iloveyou,Cady-Cat.I’llcallwhenIcan.”
Iwaitedafewminutesforhertoanswer,butshekeptsilent.Withonelastsigh,Iwalkedaway.
CHAPTERSEVEN Freya “So,”Walkerdrawled,“werewolveshavebeenlivinginmybackyardthiswholetime?”
“Yep,”Isaid,“andyourneighborsareacovenofwitches”
Hemulledthisoverbutkepthissteadypace.WewalkedthroughthethickforestbeyondWalker’shouse.Pinesand othertreesclimbedhighinthesky Windswayedtheirbranches,aswellasthethickgrassbeneathourfeet Thefreshairwas revitalizing.
Afterthreehourswithoutmorethanafive-minutebreak,mylegsached,andmybreathwasunsteady.Atleastwe’d makegoodprogress Thevalleywasonlyafewhundredfeetaway Watertrickledinthecreek,andIquickenedmystepsin anticipation.We’dagreedtotakealunchbreakoncewereachedit.Aswejourneyedcloser,thetreesthinned,andthe neighboringmountaincameintoview Itwasnotasgentlyslopedastheonewecurrentlytraveleddown Jaggedrockslayered itssides.
Iinternallygroaned.Theonlythingworsethanhikingdownhillwashikinguphill.Arionprowledalongbesideme withoutacareintheworld.Mycatwasinbettershapethanme maybeitwastimetoworkoutabitmore.
“There’snowaytoreachthesewolvesbytruckorcar?”Walkerasked,“orjustaphonecall?”
“Magic-blessedcreaturesdon’tputmuchfaithintechnology,”Iexplained “Wedon’tlikewhatwecan’tcontrol That’s whyweusuallyuseportalsorastralprojections.”
“Andwhycan’twe whatwasit?Portal?Astralproject?”
“Regrettingthetripalready?”Iasked.
Hefrownedandranahandthroughhishair.
“No,”hesaid.“Thisisjustalottotakein.IfeellikeIdon’tknowanythinganymore.”
That makes two of us, Ithought.
“Somewitchescansummonportals”Ihesitated “It’snotexactlymystrongsuit Ionlyknowhowtotravelthrough establishedones.”
Hefoughtagrin “Isitreallythatpainful?Toadmityoudon’tknowhowtodosomething?”
“Yes,”Isaidquietly.
Hechuckled,andIlightlyswattedhisarm.Hehelduphishandsina‘don’tshoot’gesture.“I’msorry!It’sjustfunny. Youcanliterallycreatetornadosanddancingshadowswithmagic,butyoustillthinkyouhavesomethingtoprovetome You don’t.”
Iwassobusystaringintohisearnestgaze,Inearlytripped Inever tripped.
Iclearedmythroatandcontinued “Icoulduseastralprojection,butIwantaninsidelookonwhat’sgoingonwiththe wolves.We’reusuallyallies,yetthey’verejectedourrequestsforin-personstrategymeetingssincethefirstwitchwent missing.Somethingisamiss.”
Heponderedmywords,andwewalkedincompanionablesilenceforafewminutes ThoughIwasn’tknownformy patience,Iappreciatedthesequietmoments.Itwasraretocomeacrosssomeonewhotrulythoughtbeforetheyspoke.
“Youthinkthey’rebehindthedeadwitches?”hefinallyasked
“Idon’tknow,”Iansweredhonestly.“Ihopenot.”
IthoughtofRyder Surely,hewasn’tangryenoughoverourendeddalliancetoletsuchathinghappenwithouttelling me.Wolvescouldbepossessivecreatures,whichwasexactlywhywe’dendedourrelationship,butRyderhadn’tcared that deeply.We’devenremainedfriendsthesepastmonths,upuntilthewitchesdisappeared.
Ifthewerewolveswerebehindthedeaths,we’dhaveverylittlehelpfightingthem Ipulledmyheadawayfrommy worries therewouldbeplentyoftimeforthemafterwediscoveredjusthowscrewedwewere.
“So,”Walkerdrawledandpushedabranchaside “Josephinesaidsomethingaboutbeingoldenoughtoremembermy familywhentheywerestillhunters.Ihopeit’snotrudetoask,butwhat’sawitch’slifespan?”
“Recently?”Isaid.“Notterriblylong.”
Hegrimaced,andIlaughedbrittlely.
“Thatwasashittyjoke,”Iadmitted,“buttoansweryourquestion,anywherefromsixhundredtoathousandyears.Our connectionwithmagicgrantsuslongerlivesthanhumans”
“How.”Heclearedhisthroat.“Howoldareyou?”
Ichuckled “I’meighteen,Walker Justahairyoungerthanyou Wewenttoschooltogether,remember?”
Hesighedwithvisiblerelief.Aflushcreptuphisneck.
“Whatissoembarrassing?”Iasked.
“Ohnothing,”hesaidandadjustedhishat.“Ifyouwereseventyorsomething,Iwasjustgonnatellyou,youlookgreat foryourage.”
Unexpectedlaughterburstoutofme Itfeltsonice,itdawnedonmethatit’dbeenawhilesinceIwasgenuinely amused.
WalkerwasmorecomfortabletraipsingoverfallenlimbsandswattingawaybranchesthanIthoughthewouldbe He wasmorecomfortableinnaturethansomewitches.Heliftedasticktoswatawayahugespiderwebinhispath.
I spoke too soon
“Wait!”Iyelled.
Hepausedandraisedaneyebrowatme.
“Youwouldn’twantsomeonetodestroyyourhome,”Ipointedout,“especiallyahomesobeautiful”
Istudiedthedelicatenetworkoftheweb.Sunlightreflectedoffitwithagentlesheen.Onthebottomcorneroftheweb, mindingherownbusiness,wasthehome’screator Asacclungtothewolfspider’sbody
“She’samother,”Inoted,“andshe’snotevenpoisonous.Wecanwalkaroundher.”
Walker’sjawwentalittleslackatmydisplay,butIignoredhim Afterafewheartbeats,hefellintostepbehindme “Witchesbecrazy,”hemumbledunderhisbreath.
Isentasmallgustofwindathiminretaliation.Itliftedthehatoffhishead,buthehurriedtocatchit.Ifoughtasmile. Wefinallyreachedthevalley TheSunwashighinthesky,amongscatteredclouds Thewarmth,pairedwithagentle wind,mademesighcontentedly.Walkerbrushedpastmeandcrouchedbeforethestream.Hesplashedwateracrosshisface, andInoticedhowsweatyhewas
Did I set too fast of a pace? Ithought. He could’ve asked me to slow down. “Youokay?”Iasked.
“Yeah,”hesaid,“whywouldn’tIbe?”
Ikeptmyobservationstomyselfandsatonanearbyrock.Sandandrocksshiftedbeneathmyfeet.Foliagesprouted sporadicallyinthepoorsoil,andafishsplashedinthecreek
Ipulledsomehomemadejerkyfrommypocketanddugin.Walkergrabbedhisownjerkyandsatnearthecreek. “Iwould’vetakenyouforavegetarian,”hesaid
“Mycovenbelievesineveryfacetofnature,”Ianswered.“Hunts honesthuntswithhandmadeweapons areapart ofthat.That’showwegetourmeat.”
“Geez,”hesaid.“You’remakingmefeelbadaboutmySlimJim.”
Welaughed,andmybodyfeltlighterthanithadindays.Walkerflashedmeasmile,andhisfacebecameaboy’sagain youngerandfullofjoy Itwasanicesight
“Don’tfret,cowboy,”Iteased,“unlessyou’resecretlyawitch youwouldn’tbeaverygoodone.” “You’dcertainlyknowwhatitistobeapoorexcuseforawitch,Redfern”
For Hecate’s sake. AsIrecognizedthevoiceofMaraMorningstar,myskincrawled.Ileapedtomyfeet,andWalker mirroredthemovement.Hishandrestedonthegunstrappedtohiship.Arionhissed,andhishacklesraised.
“Notyet,boy,”Iwhispered “AtleastI’mnotLucifer’sbitch,”Icalledback.
Thedarkwitches Lucifer’switches hidfromsight,thoughMara’svoicehadcomefromthemountainwe’djust crossed.Isensednomagic,sotheyhadtobehiddenamongthetrees.Icursedmyselffornotnoticingtheirpresencesooner. Thedarkwitchestrainedinallformsoftrickeryandsneaking,whichmadethemexcellentspies
AsIstrainedmyeyestocatchsightofthem,IsummonedashieldofwindthatsurroundedArion,Walker,andme. “You’retooweaktoholdhispower,”Maracalledback.“It’swhyyourcovenisgettingpickedofflikepreyanimals.”
Thoughherwordsmademewanttoscream,Irefusedtogiveherthereactionshesought
“Ifyou’resopowerful,showyourself!”Idemanded.
Astiletto-cladfootsteppedoutoftheshadowsofthepines Slowly,therestofMara’sbodycameintoview Shewore afittedblackgownthatwasslitpastherhipandrevealedalongstripofherporcelainskin.
Arubyhungfromasilverchainbetweenhercollarbones,andherlipswerepaintedredtomatchthestone Hersilver, curlyhairwascutjustbelowherchin.Hereyes,likealldarkwitches’eyes,werecompletelyblack.Therewasnotapupilor iristobeseen.ThoughIcouldn’tseetherestofhercoven,shenevertraveledalone.
“Likewhatyousee?”
ThesultryquestionwasdirectedatWalker.Open-mouthed,hestaredatherwithsomethingfarfromlust.Heslammed hisjawshut
“Devil-worshippersaren’treallymything,”hesnapped.
“Yourdevil ourangel,”shearguedandwalkedcloser.“Onewhobelievesinlibertyaboveallelse.Onewhobowsto nooneandnothing.”
“Isthatwhatthisisabout?”Iasked.“Power?Weneveraskedthedarkwitchesto bow. ”
JosephineandIhaddiscussedMara'scovenassuspects,butwenevertrulythoughtthey’dtakeitthisfar.Theyhad morals,nomatterhowflawedtheywere.Witchesdidn’tkillotherwitches.Thoughwehadouroccasionalsquabbles,thedark witchesusuallykepttotheirmountain,whichwasmilesfromours
Theytoooftenriskedexposurebypickingoffhumanvirginsforsacrifices,butthey’dlongagoagreedtoonlytwoor threeofthoseperdecade,andtheyhuntedvariousneighboringtowns,notours Despiteourdifferentphilosophiesandgeneral dislikeofeachother,welivedinpeace.
“No,”Marasaid “You haven’t,butyourcovenbowstotheHighWitch” Ashiverrandownmyspine.Myshieldwavered.
“YouwanttochallengetheHighWitchCordelia?”Iwhispered.Justsayingthewordsfeltdangerous. Maragrinnedandflashedherjaggedteeth
“I’mchallengingthewholedamncourt,”sheexplainedandcackled.“Wearewitches weshouldn’tcoweratthefeet ofhumanfilthlikeourancestorsinSalem It’stimeforredemption”
Myheartthuddederratically,andmyvisionblurred.ThiswassomuchworsethanI’deverimagined.IfMara’sefforts caughttheattentionoftheHighWitch,oranymemberofhercourt,thewholetowncouldbedecimated MycovenandIwould certainlybeguiltybyassociation.Ifanyhumansbecamesuspicious,they’dbedeadtoo.IfMarawaswillingtokilloffherown kind,shecertainlywouldn’thesitatetosharethatI’dexposedWalkertothetruth.
Adarkerthoughtparalyzedme
Did Mara kill my mother?
Assilencestretched,Walkerstaredatme
“Andyou’llkillwhoeverstandsinyourway,”Iadded.
“I’llkillwhoeverittakes,”sheagreed.“Now,I’vehadenoughofthischatter.”
Shebeckonedathercohortsandglancedbehindher.
“C’mon,sisters!”shecalled.“It’stimetogettowork.”
CHAPTEREIGHT Walker Werewolves I can handle, but Satanists? Thisdayhadbecometoomuch.EvenFreyawasfrightened.Thoughcoiled intofistsathersides,herhandsstillshook,andhereyessearchedtheforestrelentlessly Cloudspollutedtheoncebrightsky andeventhebreezehadslowed,asifittoowereafraidofthemonstrouscreatureswefaced.
Thewitch Mara,Freyahadcalledher wasageless Herhairwascoarseandgray,yetherfeaturesremainedsoft Hereyeswereendlesspits.Likewitnessingabadcarwreck,Iwantedtostareintothemandlookawayallatonce.Hershoes wereridiculous.
You’d have to be magical to hike in heels like that, Ithought, or crazy enough to worship Lucifer
“I’llkillwhoeverittakes,”Marasaid.“Now,I’vehadenoughofthischatter.”Shespokeasifwe’dmetupfora friendlylunch
Freya’sforcefieldofwindnearlydrownedoutallthesoundoutsideourbubble,butnotquite.Ahumfilledtheair, whichInowsuspectedwasasignofmagic.Arionpacedandhissedrelentlessly.
“C’mon,sisters!”Maracalled.“It’stimetogettowork.”
Alouder,shrillerhumfloodedmyears.ItfilteredpastFreya’sshieldandgavemeasplittingheadacheinnotime.I wrenchedmygunfromitsholsterandtriedtoignorethatIpulleditonactualpeople
Well, on things that looklike people.
Freyahadtriedtopreparemeforthedangersofthismission,butjudgingbyherownshakiness,preparingtokilland actuallykillingweretwodistinctlydifferentacts.
Morewitchessteppedoutoftheshadowsintheforest.Therewereatleasttwelveofthem.Allofthemworeblack, skimpydressessimilartotheoneMaraworeandthesameoutrageouslytallandnarrowshoes.
Theirskintonesvariedgreatly,butnoneofthemappearedtohaveseenthesuninages.Theysquintedagainstthelight. Theirashyskinbecameevendullerunderitsshine Alltheireyeswerethesameinkyblack Theysurroundedusinacircleand claspedtheirbonyhandstogether.ThoughIcouldn’tdiscernwhattheysaid,theirlipsmovedrapidly.
“Ican’tshootwiththeshieldintheway,”ItoldFreya
“IfIletitdown,”sheargued,“they’llhaveamillionassaultspellscomingrightforourheads.”
Theforcefieldshook.Freyatoyedwithhernecklacesandswallowedloudly.
“Itmightnotmatteranyway”Shesighed “Okay,Arion It’syourturn,buddy Ijustneedtodotheliberationspell a quickprotectionspellbeforeIsetyoufree.”
“Freya,”Isaid,“areyouokay?”
Sheswayedonherfeetbutnoddedandwhisperedsomethinginastrange,liltinglanguage.Warmthslidovermyskin, fromheadtotoe,andthewind-poweredforcefieldwasgone Theshrillhumintensified “Godsdammit,”Freyamutteredandrubbedathereyes.“They’redrainingme…I-Ican’t…”
Freya’seyesrolledbackinherhead,andherbodywentslack.Ibarelycaughtherbeforeherheadhittheground.
“Freya!”Iyelled,butmyvoicewaslosttotheincessanthumofmagic
Arionfoamedatthemouth,likehehadrabies,andmeowedwildly.ItdidnothingtowakeFreyaup.Shewasoutcold.
“Scared,mortal?”Maracrooned “Yourlittlegirlfriendcan’tsaveyounow Andwithheroutofthepicture,therewill benoonepowerfulenoughtoretaliateagainstus.TheGreatBetrayerwillbepleased.Wemightevengetatasteofyoursister nowthatyou’llbothbedead”
Rageandfearsharpenedmyvoice.
“Mysisterhasnothingtodowiththis,”Iargued.
Myfingerswrappedtighteraroundthegun Ithadneverfeltsoslipperyinmyhands FacingoffFreya,apartofmehad knownIwouldn’tactuallyshoother.Thatpartofmewasquietnow.
“Yoursisterhas everything todowiththis,”Marasneered,thenlickedherlips “Andshe’lltastesodelicious”
MaralookedatFreyawithdark,hungryeyes,asifsheforgotIwereeventhere.Therewasnotimetowonderwhatthe hellthewitcheswantedwithmysister.Therewasonlytimetostopthem.
No one to retaliate against us…
Theheartlesswitchclearedherthroat.Herfollowerswatchedherwithfervor.Theygiggledanddrewcloser,then claspedhands I’dneverwitnessedsuchgleefordeath Andwewoulddie Freya,me,Cadence.
Freyahadtoldmeamortalgunwaspowerlessagainstabunchoftrainedwitches,andmaybeitwas,ifsaidwitches thoughttodefendthemselves iftheythoughtIwouldactuallyhavethegalltostrikeback. Iraisedthegunandfired.
Boom!
Theshotreverberateddownmyarms,tomyverybones.Ringing,louderthaneverbefore,deafenedmyears.
Maraclutchedherstomach,whereblack,thickbloodpouredout Shebaredhersharpteethinangerandshock Therest ofthewitchesrushedtoher,butsheheldupahandtostopthemandbarkedordersIcouldn’thear.
Freyastirredbeneathmethengasped
Hereyesflutteredopen,andsheshottoherfeet.Shepausedforoneheartbeatatthesightoftheguninmyhandandthe holeinMara’sstomach Aheartbeatlater,Freyamumbledliltingwords
Arionmeowedshrilly,thenthesoundgrewdeeper.Hetransformed hisjawbecameaswideashisbody,untilhis bodyexpandednearlyaswideasahorse’sbarrel.Hiscalicofurshedandwasreplacedbyaspotted,orangecoatthatgleamed undertheSun Heshookhisnewcoat,andthegroundreverberatedundertheweightofhishugepaws Talonsprotrudedfrom them,andfangsextendedfromhiswhitemaw.
“Killthem!”Marascreeched
Arionlungedforthenearestwitch.Thewoman’sblackeyesbecameevenwider,andshescrambledaway,butnotfast enough Arioncaughtherghostlypaleleg,thenflungherbodyintothetrees Somethinghotsplashedagainstmyface Iwipedit awayhastilyandlookedatmypalm.
Itwasblood.
Dark,thickblood
“Walker!”Freyasnapped.
Arionchasedtheothersaway,deeperintotheforestbehindus Marahobbledacrossthecreekwiththesupportoftwo witches,butfivewitchesstilllaunchedspellsatFreya.Shestoodinsidehercrumblingshieldofwind.Theirmagicfloodedthe airwithsomethingakintoanelectriccurrent.Goosebumpscoveredmyarmsundermyjacket,andthehairsonthebackofmy neckrose.
Thewitchesdrewknivesfromsheathsundertheirdressesandraisedtheknivestotheirownforearms.Together,they cutmadehorizontalcutswithoutasinglewinceorwhimper Midnightbloodtrickleddowntheirarmsandchantspouredfrom theirlips.
Whateverfreakyritualtheyperformed,itworked Theairgrewcolderandcolder Unsureofwhatelsetodo,Ifiredmygunatthem.Thebullethitaninvisibleforcefieldandhoveredthere,completely intact.
ThewitchI’dfiredatcranedherheadtopeeratme.Notasinglecrimsonredcurlwasknockedoutofplace.She flashedablindingwhitesmileandflickedherbracelet-cladwristatme.Thebulletsailedbackinmydirection.
Idovebehindanearbyrock Splash!
Thebullethitthecreek,whichwasonlyinchesfrommyface Iscrambledtomyfeet,butitwastoolatetoretreat.Thewitchsnarledlikearabidanimal. “Stupidmortal,”shespat.“YoudarehurttheMotherandnow this?”
Shebrokeawayfromhercohortsandtookastepclosertome Shelickedherredlips “It’sbeensolongsinceI’vetastedsomethingasdivineasyou,”shemused.“Yoursoulispure itwouldplease Luciferformetoconsumeit”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Icantellyouaboutwho’skillingthewitches,”Ilied “Surelythat’sofsomeinteresttoyou” Shelaughed.
“Oh,howyourignoranceamusesme.”Shetittered.“Luciferhasblessedmewiththis atasty,defenselesshunter.” “Shouldn’tyouhelpyourfriends?”Iasked Iclearedmythroatandspokelouder “Theydon’tseemtobefaringtoo wellwithoutyou.”
ThewitcheshesitatedintheirassaultonFreya,andFreyaseizedthemoment Cryingoutaspell,sheslippedpasttheir defensesandsenttwoofthewitchesflyingback,acrosstheriverandintothetrees.Theirbodiesthuddedagainstthepines,and theydidn’tgetup Ashortbutvicious-lookingblondewitchbrokeawayfromthegroup “Youthinkwe’reweak?”theblondewitchaskedandmutteredaspell.
Astreamofwaterroseintheairandturnedintoice.Thewitchbaredhersharpenedteethandflickedherwrist.Theice spearshotatme,andIdoveagain Againandagain,thewitcheslaunchedrocks,sticks,andiceatme Afewoftherocks landed.Everyoneofthemundoubtedlyleftbruises.Adrenalinekeptmybodyinmotion,butashardoficestabbedmycalf,and Icrumpled
Rocksdugintomyfaceandstungmyskin.Thetinypainsweredullechoesofwhatradiatedfrommycalfinhotwaves. Bloodflowedfromthewoundandfrommynose.Withbruisedarms,Iraisedmyupperbody.WhenItriedtostand,mycalf refused.Morebloodsurgedoutofit,andmyheadswam.Ifellbackonmyass.NeverinmylifehadIfeltmorehelpless.The darkwitcheseachworesmuggrins,butitwastheshortonewhospoke.
“Who’sweaknow,hunter?”
Sheraisedherhands,summonedahugespearofice,andpointeditdirectlyatme.Theotherwitcheschanted,andthe airaroundmegotevencolder Myraggedbreathfoggedbeforeme
“Imaybeweak,”Iadmitted,“butatleastI’mnotdamned.”
“Stopthis!”Freyascreamed Sherushedthembutbouncedoffaninvisibleshield “He’sgotnothingtodowiththisand youallknowit!”
“Okay,”theblondewitchcrooned ShepointedatFreya,andtheicerushedher “No!”Igasped.
Despitethebloodgushingfrommyleg,Iforcedmyselftostand.
Thespearchangedatthelastsecond TheiceshiftedintothickshacklesthatwrappedaroundFreya’swrists,ankles, andneck.Herbodysaggedbeneaththeirweight,butshequicklyrightedherpostureandbaredherteeth.
“TheBetrayerwillbepleased,”thered-hairedwitchpurred “Wait,”theotherdarkwitchsaid.Shepointedherlong,palefingertothewoods.“Doyouhearthat?”
Forasecond,Iheardnothingbuttheerraticbeatofmyheart Howlspiercedthesilence Freyachuckled.
“Youguysarescrewed.”
Those are some big-ass dogs
Darknesstunneledmyvision,andIfoughttoholdontoconsciousness.ThesixwolveswerealmostasbigasArionand lookedjustasmean Theychargeddownthemountainandleapedwithuncannygraceacrossthecreek Astheylungedforthe darkwitches,theirhugeclawsdugintotheearth.Onewolf,whowasasblackasnightandhadbrightyelloweyes,toreintothe evilredheadedwitch.
Ilookedawayfromthegruesomescene.Thewitcheshadnearlykilledus,butitwasstilltoomuchtowatch. Everything hadbecometoomuch.Dizzinessblurredmyvisionandmuddledmythoughts.Istaredattherocks.Bloodspattered them,bothblackandcrimson Ireachedouttotouchitandlostmybalance
Ibarelyfeltmybodythudagainsttheground.Therockshadsoftened.Iwantedtosinkintothemandrestfordays. SleepwassomethingIoftenlongedfor,but,thistime,Iallowedmyselftodriftaway
CHAPTERNINE Walkerwouldn’tstopbleeding.
Theremainingdarkwitchesfledorweredecimated,sothemagicbindingmeinmyshacklesfinallyevaporated I didn’tunderstandwhythedarkwitcheshadwantedtotakemehostageratherthankillmeoutright,buttherewasnotimeto ponderit Arionstormedthroughthewoodsandrushedtomyside Blackbloodstainedhismaw,andhebaredhisteethatthe wolveswhosurroundedus.He’dneverbeenafanoftheirs.
“Hey,friend.Iwasstartingtogetworriedaboutyou.Thanksforyourhelp.”Iscratchedhimbehindhisears.“Ineed yourhelpfindingafewherbs”
IlistedthevariousthingsIneededtohealWalker lavender,sage,andtarragon andinstructedhimtosearchfor them
Thewolvescametoahaltaroundme.Theirsynchronizedmovementshadalwaysfreakedmeout.Covenswereclose, butpacksweresomethingelse.Itwasasiftheysharedasinglebrain.
“Shift,”Iinstructedthenearestwolf,Ryder.I’drecognizehisdarkcoatanddayglowyelloweyesanywhere.
RyderdidasIasked.Heranahandthroughhisshaggy,blackhair.Sunlightgleamedagainsthislightbrownskinand ripplingmuscles,whichwereonfulldisplay Werewolvesweren’tknownformodesty
When they look like this, why should they be?
Aloosestringhadfallentohisankles Attachedtoitwasasmallbagofclothes They’dclearlymeanttoencounter othersifthey’dbotheredpackingabag.IwonderedifIwastheonetheyweretracking.
“Ineedyoutousethatnoseofyoursandsearchfortheherbs Walkerisbleedingtooquickly.”
Heopenedhismouthtoargue,butIheadedforWalker’spronebody.Whenwerewolvesspoke,walkingawayfroman Alpha oranAlpha’sson wasahugeformofdisrespect,butIdidn’thavetimefordiplomacyorfragilemaleegos.
ItookoffmyjacketandplaceditunderWalker’spaleface,thengrabbedthebottomofmyshirt Ifoundasharprock andusedittotearoffthestrip.IwrappeditaroundWalker’slegtocutoffbloodflow.Thebleedingpersisted,butatleastit slowed
IhopedWalkerhadpassedoutmorefromtheshockofbloodshedthanfromhisownbloodloss.Watchingwitchesdie evendeceitful,covenant-breakingones hadbeenhard.DeathbywerewolfwascertainlynotthewayIwantedtogo.
At least they’re on your side, Ithought, for now
“Whatthehell,Freya?”Rydersnappedandstormedovertome.He’dfinallythrownonsomesweatpants.Theother wolvesscattered,hopefullytosearchforwhatIneeded
“IthoughtIaskedyoutodosomething,”IsaidandcheckedWalker’spulse.Fornow,itwassteady.Itriedtosend magicalfeelersacrossthewoodsfortheherbs,buthealingmagicwasn’tintuitiveforme,andIwasdrainedfromthefight
“That’saninterestingwaytosaythankyou,”hehuffed. Isighed.“I’msorry.It’sbeenataxingfewdays.”
Hegavemeahardstare,likehewantedtoaskwhatImeantbutwasalsohesitanttoheartheanswer Iwonderedif he’dheardaboutmymom.
Iprayedhehadnothingtodowithit
Arionreturnedwiththelavenderandtarragoninhismouth.Hespatitinmyhand,alreadygroundupfromhissharp teeth
“Westillneedonemorething,”Isaid.
Ryder’sgazehardened,andhegrittedhisteeth.
“Justleavehim,”heimplored “He’sgoingtogetyoukilledanyways Ican’tbelieveyoutoldafuckinghuman” Oneofthenearbywolvesgrowledinagreement.
Itwould’vebeenthesmarterthingtodo Icould’velefthimhereandrightedmywrongwiththewitches,buttheidiot albeitthe brave idiot hadnearlydiedbecauseofme.IjusthopedIcouldhealhim.
“No,”Isnapped.“Helpmefindthesage.It’sthelastthingIneed.”
“You’rewastingourtime,”Ryderargued.“Thedarkwitchescouldbebackwithreinforcementsatanymoment.We needtogetintowolfterritory theywouldn’tdarefollowusintomyfather’sjurisdiction.Besides,areyouevensurethiswill work?Yourhealingmagicisshit”
Mynervescoiledlikesnakesinmystomach.Damnhim,butRyderwasright.I’dneverhadthepatiencetobeanygood athealing,buthisreminderwasn’thelpful
“Eitherhelpmeorgetlost,”Ibarked.“AndI’llhaveyouknowI’vebeenworkingonit.I’vegottenquitegood.”
Thelierolledeasilyoffmytongue.Mymotherhadtaughtmetherewasnothingmorevaluablethanfalseconfidencein
acrisis.
"Darling," she said to me after a particularly grueling and humiliating training session "No one ever feels like they know what they’re doing, but any half-competent witch doesn’t let anyone see those doubts except for the Goddess herself."
Thoughitwasfarfrommyfavoritesubject,MommadesureIhadsomerudimentaryhealingskills Shecould’vemade suretherewasnoscar,butIwasn’tconcernedaboutthecowboy’sskin.Ijustwantedhimtolive.
Hehadasistertogohometo
Igrewimpatientwaitingforthesage.I’dwantedtomonitorWalker,butIneededthatingredientnow. Determinedto findit,Ipreparedmyselftocrossthecreek.Thesagewasprobablyonthedryersideofthevalley.Ryderwashotonmyheels, untilawolfhowledtomyleft
“Hefoundit,”Rydertoldme.
Thewolfrantowardmeanddumpedthemushysageinmypalm AsIracedbacktoWalker,Imixedtheingredientson myarm.
“Hanginthere,cowboy,”Iwhispered,thenspoketheincantationtoactivatetheingredientsofthesalve Mymuscles protested.I’dalreadypushedtheboundariesofhowmuchmagicIcouldweavewithoutbeingoverwhelmedbyexhaustion. Facedwithnootheroption,Ididn’tstop.
Blackspotsdancedinmyvision,butthespellhummedwithenergy Withasilentprayer,Irubbedthesalveintothe wound.
Thank the Goddess
Thebleedingfinallystopped.
Untilthetightnessinmychesteased,Ihadn’trealizedhowworriedI'dbeenthatitwouldn’tstop.Walkergroanedand attemptedtorise,butIgentlypressedhimdown.
“Youcan’tbreaktheclot,”ItoldWalker.“Ryderwillhelpyouflipover.”
“Likehell,”Walkermumbled,buthemadenofurtherattemptstomove
RyderrolledhiseyesbutdidasIasked.Iwasgratefulhecompliedwithoutargument,thoughhisbedsidemannerleft somethingtobedesired AsRyderroughlyflippedthecowboyover,Igrimacedatthescrapesandbruisesthatcovered Walker’sfaceandhands.
“Here,”Iscoopedsomeofthesalveoutmypalmandheldittohislips.“Eatthis.It’llmakeyousleepy,butitwillheal you.”
IforcedWalkertoeatsomeofthesalve.Hegaggedbutforceditdown.
“Thanks,”hewhisperedinahoarsevoice
“MymommademeeatthiswhenIbrokemyarm,”Isaidandsmiled.“Ithoughtmytonguewouldfallofffromthetaste, butitworked”
Walker’seyesflutteredclosed.Hischestroseandfellinasteadyrhythm.
“Someonewillneedtocarryhim,”IsaidtoRyder.“Thesalvewillkeephimoutforatleastanhour.”
Ryderandtheotherwolvesgroaned,butIpaidthemnomind Walkerwouldlive.Iwassureofit.
Withagrunt,RyderheftedWalkeroverhisshoulderthenslunghimoverthebackofanearby,brownwolf “YouandIwilltravelontwofeet,”Rydersaid.“It’llgiveusachancetocatchup.”
“Allrightthen,”IsaidwithasighandlookedatArion Hewouldn’tgettoshiftintohisthirdformtoday myfavorite form,albeithismostunruly.Motherhadadvisedmeonlytocalluponitinthemostextremeofcircumstances.Arionrubbedhis hugeheadagainstmybackandpurred.
“Youwereexcellenttoday,friend,”Icrooned Rydergesturedtowardthecreekandbowed. “Ladiesfirst”
Arionwalkedbymysideacrossthestream,andIsubtlyleanedonhimforsupport.IneededrestafterthemagicI’djust exerted,butIwouldn’tshowweaknessinfrontofRyder Thatwasprobablywhyheinsistedontravelingontwofeetanyway I’dmadehimlookweakinfrontofhispackandnowhewantedtoleveltheplayingfield.
Still an ass. Iwouldn’tlethimwin.
Wecrossedtheriverandhikeduphill Mylegsburned,andmyheadachedfromexhaustion,butIpushedpastthepain andfocusedonRyder.Ifhewastryingtodistractmebyurgingmetowalk,thenIprobablywasn’tgoingtolikewhathehadto say Itookadeepbreathoffreshairandletnaturestrengthenme Arionsentabitofhismagictomeaswell,andIsmiledat him.ItwarmedmyveinsandgavemethestrengthIneededtocontinue.
Therestofthewolveswalkedinadiamondshape,withRyder,me,andthewolfwhocarriedWalkerinthecenter.At thetopofthismountain,we’dreachwolfterritory.Hopelightenedmystepsafraction.
“So,”Isaidandpushedabranchoutofmyway.“Sinceyou'resoeagertochat,whydon'twediscusswhyseveralof
