I swallow the burning lump in my throat.
I have magic.
Holy fuck.
I actually have magic.
Soraya cocks her head to the side, and for a moment, I think she might actually explain. But instead of answering one of the million questions rattling around in my mind, she gives a soft smile, one that doesn’t reach her eyes.
“You’ll need time to understand, but for now, you’re safe.” She turns to leave, her red hair sweeping behind her, and I automatically reach for her.
“Soraya! Wait. Please. Just…give me something. What I did… That wasn’t normal, was it?”
She pauses at the door but doesn’t turn back to face me. Rigid tension lines her neck and shoulders.
For a long moment, I don’t think she’s going to respond, but then she says, “No. That wasn’t normal. That’s all I can say. The rest you’ll have to figure out on your own.”
Then she’s gone, the door clicking shut behind her. I stare after her for a long moment.
There’s something about her, something she’s hiding…
And I’m pretty sure she left me alone on purpose.
Her words reverberate in my mind.
The rest you’ll have to figure out on your own.
Challenge accepted, Soraya.
I glance around the room, my gaze landing on her phone, abandoned on the nightstand.
No fucking way.
That can’t be an accident.
I grab it, half expecting it to explode in my face or for it to be locked. Surprisingly, there’s no passcode, which only amplifies my suspicion. Soraya wanted me to use her phone.
But why?
What would she get out of helping me?
I instantly click on the phone icon, but then pause, hesitating.
What are my mates’ numbers?
Hale! I’ll call Hale.
My fingers tremble as I dial Hale’s number and then press the phone to my ear. I hold my breath, not knowing what I want to say or ask, unable to articulate a single thought in my head. All I know is that I need to hear him. Need to know he—and the rest of my makeshift family—is okay.
The phone rings only once before he answers. “Hello?”
“Hale?” My voice shakes slightly.
“Izzy? Oh my god. Are you okay? I know the witches have you. Where are you? What’s going on? Tell me everything?” My foster father barely breathes between rapid-fire questions.
My heart clenches. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear his voice until just now. “I’m at the covenstead. No idea where that is. But is everyone over there okay? My…mates? Silas and Kyle? Lissa? Gerry? Seth and Jake?”
The last two weren’t even at the barbecue, yet I need to know.
