Not that I knew why I was being hunted by that scythey bastard, but it wasn’t my time yet apparently.
Why did Weasel attack me? Was it on Logan’s orders? He’d said Kingston would thank him, and yet it hadn’t sounded like hehad been directed to attack.
It made even less sense for Logan to save me at the lake, ignore me for weeks, and then let his asshole friend beat me todeath. There’d been no new torture in that period of time. Nothing that would justify saving my life at the lake for a greatplan.
The light grew brighter behind my tightly closed eyelids, and I soon smelled antiseptic, lavender, peppermint, and other herbs.Healing witches and warlocks were almost always nature sprites, using what nature provided, along with spells and their internalenergy, to accelerate our bodies’ healing.
It was quiet at first, until a witch let out a loud gasp. “Oh my goddess.” Her voice was low and sweet. “What happened here?”
“She was attacked in the graveyard,” the warlock holding me said. “We didn’t see her attacker clearly, but it was anotherwarlock.”
“Quickly, get her on the bed, and then can one of you fetch the headmaster for me?”
I was placed against a soft surface, but I was in too much pain for anything to feel comfortable. “It’s okay, dear,” the witchtold me in gentle tones. I attempted to open my eyes, but every time I tried the pain grew worse.
The warmth of her energy surrounded me as she started to chant a healing spell, and for a second it hurt worse than ever as I fought back a scream. “You’re doing amazing,” she whispered. “Your injuries aren’t the worst we’ve seen, but you dohave internal bleeding and a few fractured ribs. Don’t worry. I’ll have you as good as new in no time.”
She chanted again, and I did nothing except attempt to hold on to my sanity, until eventually, there was some blessed relieffrom the agony. When her hands lifted, and the heat faded, she rubbed cool, lavender-scented paste across my arms and side,leaving me sore but not dying any longer. I slumped into the bed, exhausted and emotional, wondering what I was going to tellmy dad when he came raging into this room.
“Rest, sweetie,” the healer said. “I’ll check on you soon.”
The need to sleep was a normal part of the healing process, and I let myself drift off, hoping that by the time I woke upthe rest of the pain would be gone. My theory almost worked, until I heard a frantic “Little Gem” beside my bed, and I openedmy eyes to find Dad and all of my siblings standing pale faced around me.
“Almost missed the family reunion,” I joked, voice raspy against my dry throat.
Dad took my hand and squeezed it gently. “Sweetheart, why do I keep finding you in these situations?”
“Magnet for trouble?”
Dad’s frown deepened, even as the fire in his eyes eased. “Maddy, the healer who first attended you, said you had severe bruises,some internal bleeding, and broken ribs. She’s got most of the healing under way, and you should feel much better in a fewhours. How’s your pain?”
I took a second to assess my injuries, shifting on the bed, relieved when it was all down to a dull ache. “Honestly, not toobad. A few bruises and aches still, and I could really use a glass of water, but other than that I’m going to be fine.”
“Who did this?” Trevor growled, hands gripping the metal railing beside me. Unlike Dad, the flames in his eyes roared.
“I don’t know his name,” I told them the truth. “But I’m going to find out, and I’ll report it to the headmaster.”
Dad looked over his shoulder, before coming back to my gaze. “Victor was just here, but he must have stepped out again. Youwill absolutely be reporting this warlock, and we will make sure he’s charged to the full extent of the law.” I had no issuewith that, but I did have an issue with Dad’s next words. “And if we don’t find him soon, I’m taking you home, sweetheart.No negotiations.”
“We’ll find him,” I promised darkly, deciding I’d search the entire fucking school daily until I found Logan and demandeda name. “I know his face. I just need the name.”
My sisters pressed in for hugs, and I wasn’t surprised when Alice cried into my side. “I’m so sorry this happened. We shouldhave been at the party.”
“I shouldn’t have left her at the party,” Trevor rumbled, and the heat in the room shot right up, giving us all a free saunaalong with healing.
“It’s okay,” I told them all. “I’m a grown witch, and I should be able to take care of myself. This is not on any of you,it’s on that asshole who jumped me. And he will be dealt with.”
“I want his name,” Jensen said, wrapping his huge hand around mine, and holding tightly. “I want his name, and five minuteswith him in the lake.”
It wasn’t like my brother to be so bloodthirsty—not that brother anyway. The difference between water and fire was apparentin their personalities, but tonight they were both infernos.
“I want his name too,” I assured Jensen, noting how his jaw was clenched.
“Make sure you tell me first,” he bit out, squeezing my hand.
“I love you guys,” I whispered, jumping when Jenna presseda cool glass of water in my hand. The first sip tasted like nectar, and I finished the entire glass in seconds.
“We love you too, little sister,” Trevor said, brushing his hand gently over my head. “We’ll kill this bastard, don’t youworry.”
