Page 27

She roared in frustration, thrusting against me, but my heavy weight held her in place against the damp grass.

Within me, Tavik groaned, but I couldn’t tell if it was from pain or longing.

“Get off me!” the witch shrieked, still straining to break free.

“Not until you promise not to attack me again.”

“Bastard!” she growled. “You killed her!”

“I did not kill your grandmother,” I said in a firm voice. “But I want to find out who did. Don’t you?”

She merely glared up at me, hatred burning in her green eyes. “Let me go,” she said, her words slow and measured. “I just want to go home.”

“You can’t—” I broke off and looked up toward the trees. I sniffed deeply, recognizing the scent drifting in the air. Relief filled my chest. “Thank the gods.”

The witch stared at me in bewilderment, but I was watching the trees. Gradually, the sound of panting and thudding paws reached my ears. A moment later, Nell emerged from the trees, tongue hanging out and amber fur glistening with sweat.

Cerise yelped, her body going rigid as her face drained of color. “Shit. Shit!”

But I ignored her, climbing to my feet to approach the wolf. With Nell here, I knew Cerise wouldn’t bother trying anything; I could smell the sharp stench of her fear.

I sank to one knee, rubbing Nell affectionately behind the ears. “I’m glad you’re safe,” I whispered as he closed his eyes in contentment. “Any injuries?”

Nell huffed as if offended by this.

I chuckled. “All right then.” I cast a glance at Cerise, who remained on the ground, her terrified gaze fixed on Nell. “You go on through the portal. I need to deal with the witch.”

Nell let out a soft bark that sounded like a laugh. His golden eyes fixed on the witch, and a low growl rumbled in his throat.

“I’ll be careful,” I assured him. “I can handle her.”

Cerise shot me a venomous look.

Nell seemed appeased by this. After bowing his head to me as a sign of respect, he padded toward the mouth of the lake. The moment his paws met the water, his form rippled and then vanished.

Cerise gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth. “Storms,” she breathed. “Where did it go?” She looked around wildly as if expecting Nell to magically appear in the forest.

“He stepped into the portal,” I said. “He’s in the Mage lands now.”

“What did you mean, you needed to deal with the witch?” She climbed to her feet, wincing as she brought her hand to her head and rubbed her temple.

“Going through the wards for the first time is painful. And only those with Mage blood can pass through. You’ll have to hold on to me.”

Cerise shook her head. “Hell no. I’m not touching you.”

“Do I need to knock you out again?”

Her cheeks flushed, and the look she gave me was full of loathing. She looked like she wanted to throw another hex at me.

“If you attack me again, I will use my magic,” I warned. “And the last witch who tested me didn’t survive.”

She sucked in a sharp breath, the gleam in her eyes telling me she was considering her options.

She thought I was bluffing. In a sense, I was. My magic could be tracked, and the fae were already after me. I didn’t want to risk bringing them straight to the portal.

But if the witch put up a fight, I would use magic. I could easily place shadow cuffs on her wrists, which would effectively block her magic, and then haul her through the portal by force.

“Don’t, Alaric,” Tavik pleaded. “Please don’t use your magic on her.”