Page 77 of The Little Shop of Curiosities Cursed Object 1, The Music Box

“That’s not important right now.”

“Considering you know who I am, who Tristan is, and what’s going on in that bookshop even as we speak, I’d beg to differ. In fact, I don’t even know why I’m arguing with you. Move aside. I’m going to help my friends and there’s not a damn thing you can do to stop me.”

I stalk forward but hit an invisible wall. It shoves me back several paces, my shoes skidding against the pavement.

“Actually, there is.”

I growl and push forward again only to be repelled even more forcefully than before.

“I told you, Harrison, it’s not for you to interfere. I know you want to protect your friends, and while that’s admirable, it’s unnecessary. They’ve got this.”

“Then I’d like to see that for myself. You’ll forgive me if I don’t take a complete stranger’s word for it.”

“If you can’t trust me, trust yourself. Switch off that busy brain of yours and listen to your instincts. They will not steer you wrong. Your path lies in another direction. It already lays at your feet; you have only to step foot upon it.”

“My path?” Something about the way he says it feels familiar, but it takes a moment to place it. “Are you one of the five Herne told me about?”

“You’ve met Herne?” He cocks a dark, winged brow. “Well then, you must’ve met Diana too. Those two are never far apart.” He stares at me contemplatively. “Good,” he finally says. “That will make things easier for you.”

“I don’t understand, just what are you talking about? Who are you? You never answered my question. Are you one of the five they spoke of?”

A smile tugs at his lips. “No, I’m not, but I am a part of this.”

“Enough riddles,” I growl and step forward again to pass him but am pushed back once more.

This time, my temper snaps and I scream at him. My rage coalesces inside me, and a rush of adrenaline and magic unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before sears through me. It’s ten times more powerful. My hands erupt into lavender flames that snake up my arms, winding around and around. The heady whip of power is so strong it’s almost orgasmic. Before I can stop myself, I lash out at him, a burst of magic exploding from my outstretched hands.

It knocks him back violently and he skids several paces, leaning forward and breathing heavily once he stops. I don’t know how he’s managed to stay on his feet—that was enough magic to punch through a solid wall. For a second, shame washes through me, and I wonder if I’ve hurt him.

He slowly lifts his face, his dark eyes glimmering and the corners of his mouth curving.

“Not bad,” he says, and curiously enough, I can hear him perfectly despite the ongoing howl of the wind down the alley. I watch as he straightens up and widens his stance, then adjusts the cuffs on his overcoat. “Okay then, Harrison.” He smiles, his eyes bright with challenge. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

My eyes narrow as his hands burst into the same intense violet flames as mine, and I realise something that should have been obvious to me much sooner.

He’s a witch.

And not just any witch—one with power like mine.

I match his stance and, for the first time in my life, relax my ironlike control of my magic. It’s like trying to ride a dragon’s tail. I can’t even begin to articulate the overwhelming force of it and yet I know with a bone-deep certainty that I have only just begun to tap the beginnings of my potential.

The flames licking at my arms and hands intensify, crackling with power, and I can’t help the gasp that escapes my lips.

“Powerful, isn’t it?” he says knowingly. “Seductive.”

I exhale sharply. “What is it?” Every hair on my body is standing on end and my skin buzzes with electricity.

“Your true nature,” he says simply.

The punch of his magic hits me full in the chest, taking me off my feet and sending me corkscrewing through the air. I crash into the metal shutter of a vacant shop with a loud clatter, then drop to the ground.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I roll over and look up at him. He’s standing there calmly, not a single hair out of place.

“Had enough?”

I bare my teeth and throw out my hand, aiming my next bolt of magic at his legs. He crashes to the ground as I roll to my feet.

I’m not going to lie—although my mood tinged with annoyance and an air of defiance, this is kind of exhilarating. I’ve never before met someone who can do the things I can, and actually beginning to test the limits of my magic fills me with a kind of euphoria.