Page 36 of Cursebreaker

“Aster, please—”

Pebbles skitter as the first Stalker slithers down from its perch, its laughter bouncing off the rocks in a sickening echo. I pull free from Will’s grasp with ease and stand, stepping out from behind the boulder despite Will’s protest.

I plant my feet, twirl my daggers, and stand between Will and the Underlings. But just as the first Stalker lurches for me, a gust of wind slams into it from the side, knocking it into the outcropping of rocks with such force, purple blood and guts splatter the stone.

He appears as if materializing out of thin air, his amethyst suit freshly pressed.

Owen grins, tugging on a pair of black leather gloves. “Took you long enough, little mouse.”

I stagger a step toward Owen, my fists clenched around the hilts of my daggers. “Well?” I say, wiping sweat from my forehead. “You found me. What now?”

Owen grins. “Found you,” he echoes, shaking his head. He gestures at the three remaining Stalkers. “Was this your attempt at staying hidden?”

I shrug, twirling a dagger. “It’s harder than it looks.”

Owen’s grin falters, but only for a moment. “I told you once that there are limitations to the protection our trinkets once offered.”

Once. As if they no longer offer any protection.

“What are you saying?” I ask, my hand straying to the band of braided leather at my opposite wrist, my heart kicking into a gallop.

“You’ve come here of your own free will,” he says, a muscle in his jaw ticking. “In doing so, you’ve voided the enchantment.”

My vision swims. If I’ve voided the enchantment, the bracelet no longer protects me from fatal harm. And the Shifter who bit me as a child… because his venom runs through my veins, he’ll be able to track me again.

Owen flicks a glance at my bracelet, and before his expression hardens, I think there might be a flash of annoyance in his eyes. “You’re going to have to come with me.” His gaze slides past me to where Will’s feet peek out from behind the boulder. “He can stay. These Stalkers could use a little… recreation.”

I glare at the Stalker, still slowly slithering toward Will. “I’m not leaving him,” I say, widening my stance.

Owen rolls his eyes. “I had a feeling you’d say that.” He whistles, motioning with his hands, and the Stalkers take flight, the ominous sound of their laughter fading as they disappear into a cloud of smoke overhead.

Owen takes a step toward me, but I point my dagger at his chest. “Wait.”

He holds his hands up in mock surrender. “Yes?”

Blood pounds in my ears, distorting my voice. “I’ll turn myself over to Morana without a fight,” I say. “But he goes free.”

Owen’s eyes narrow as he barks an incredulous laugh. “This isn’t a negotiation.”

“I’m not negotiating,” I say. “I’m asking. You’re still my brother. I know you still care. So, please.” I sheathe my daggers. “As soon as you have the opportunity, get him out of here.”

Owen holds my stare, his smirk fading. Finally, he nods. “We’ll see how you feel about setting him loose on the public once he’s turned.”

I didn’t expect him to give me his word, but knowing Owen, this is as close to a promise as I’m going to get. I take a step away, allowing him to approach. I watch him, cautiously, my hands hovering near the hilts of my daggers.

I note the small smile of approval when he cuts a glance at my hands, before he motions to Will, barely clinging to consciousness. “Shall we?”

Owen and I each pull one of Will’s arms over our shoulders and hoist him into the air.

“Where to?” I ask.

Owen chuckles under his breath. “Closer than you think.”

He leads us around the outcropping of rock, carrying the brunt of Will’s weight as we navigate over jagged stones. As we skirt the base of the mountain, the pitch-black sky appears to glow, a haze of orange smoke.

Weakly, Will murmurs, “Don’t—Aster—”

Will’s head lolls to the side, his breath coming in long, rattling gasps. And when I glance at Owen, he’s already watching me, his jaw set.