Page 13 of Freed By the Witchbone Knife

“Is he giving you problems?” Robbie’s voice changed, lowering into something more angry. The last thing I needed was my little brother getting involved in my battles. If I said anything about how Ambrose had treated me, I knew for certain he’d do something drastic.

“No. Yes. I mean, it’s nothing I can’t handle. Besides, I’m on the other side of the country. How much damage can he really do?” Robbie stayed silent. “Okay. Fine. I see your point. He is a Blackthorn, after all. Still. I’ll manage.”

“Fine. How’s the new job treating you?”

I relaxed at the change of topic. “I love it.”

Which was the truth. Despite the tedious grading and long hours, I was enjoying it a lot more than I realized. “It’s completely different when I get to teach the class myself. I get so much more freedom. Plus, since it’s a community college, the rules are more lax and everyone cares more about teaching than, you know, meeting research quotas and all that. What about you? How’s all the nerdy computer stuff treating you? Oh, how’s Caden?”

Robbie huffed. “It’s software development. And, he’s fine.”

“He’s fine? Really? That’s all you’ve got? Oh, God. Please tell me you guys aren’t fighting.”

“No. Not fighting.” There was a long hesitation. “He asked me to move in again. I said no.”

“What?! You did not! Tell me you did not.”

I could almost picture my little brother sitting at his desk surrounded by no less than three computer screens, rubbing the back of his neck. Empty energy drink cans everywhere. “I just don’t know that I’m ready. Like, things are so good, you know? What if… What if we don’t get along once we’re roommates?”

“Okay, firstly, you wouldn’t be just roommates. He’s your boyfriend, Robbie. Roommates implies something far less serious than the two of you. Makes it sound like you won’t be sleeping in the same bed. And secondly, you guys have been together for over a year now. Rent is expensive. And he has such a nice place. Besides, he’s like so gone for you. Robbieeeee.”

“I don’t know. It’s a big step.”

“You’ve been out of school for two years now. You’re twenty-four. It’s not too early to take big steps like this. Especially if you think he’s the one.”

Please say he’s the one. I wanted that for him, mostly because I had an obsession with Caden. He was the sweetest, kindest person, and so perfect for my brother that watching the two of them together literally made me sick. With yearning.

“I think he’s the one. But… How can I know for certain?”

“If you don’t marry him I will,” I threatened, throwing the familiar words at him.

He chuckled. “Fine. I’ll give it some more serious thought.”

“Thank you.”

A commotion sounded on the other end of the line. “Ugh. Hey, I gotta run. Cosmo just barfed all over the rug.”

“Oh no!” I pouted at the empty lecture hall. “Give my cute baby all the cuddles for me, please. Tell him I hope he feels better.”

Cosmo was Robbie’s tabby cat, whom I adored.

“Will do. Love you.”

“Love you more!”

The line went dead.

I sighed. And then I scowled, because another text had come in while we were chatting. I read the message and went cold.

Unknown number

I’ve been more than patient, Rebecca. If you don’t come home, I’ll have no choice but to bring you home.

He couldn’t do that, could he? Magic aside, there were still laws. He couldn’t just…take me against my will? And yet, something soured in my stomach. Because if he was anything like the rest of the Blackthorn family—and I already knew that he was—he would do everything in his power to get exactly what he wanted.

Which meant I needed to find the entrance to those caves ASAP.

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