Page 20

Tavik’s awareness burned hotter, scorching my insides. I let out another cry of pain, my body seizing.

And then, all at once, everything fell silent. Tavik’s voice quieted. The pain disappeared. I lay on the floor, panting and covered in sweat.

The cabin was eerily still.

I sucked in several gulps of air, my throat raw from my screams. For several moments, I didn’t move as I waited for my wolf to scream again.

But nothing happened.

“Tavik,” I said hesitantly. “Tavik, are you all right?”

My wolf was quiet for so long that I feared something had happened to him. Then, at last, he said, “I am here.”

“What the hell was that? What happened to you?”

“I—I do not know.”

I waited for him to elaborate. When he said nothing else, I said indignantly, “Tavik!”

“I knew her, Alaric. As soon as I scented the Wolven magic on her, I knew her.”

Shaking my head, I argued, “That’s impossible. She’s a stranger to us.”

“I—I cannot explain it. But I was pulled to her. Some deep, ancient part of me knew her. My soul knew her.”

Unease twisted in my gut. His soul knew her? Our… soul knew her?

“And now?” I prompted. “What changed? What made you go silent?”

“The feeling left me. I do not feel it anymore. I no longer feel as if I know her. She is a stranger once more.”

This made no sense. I looked at Reid, who was watching me in concern, and then surveyed the cabin. The old witch’s body still lay in her own blood. Broken furniture and shattered glass surrounded us.

My gaze shifted to the hallway.

“Where is the witch?” I growled.

Seven

THE WITCH

Dread filled my chest as my hands started to grow hot. Blinking through tears, I squinted at the gold light that started to shine from my palms.

No, I thought, my hands starting to shake. No, not again.

A harsh ringing sound filled my ears. Just like before.

A sour taste filled my mouth. If my magic burst like that again, I could tear apart this entire cabin.

And it might knock me out a second time. I couldn’t let that happen. Not here with the Wolven who had murdered Gran.

They would kill me the moment I lost consciousness.

The dark-skinned Wolven was still writhing on the floor, his companion hovering over him. Neither of them were paying attention to me.

My pulse skittered as I rose to my feet, heart thundering in my chest. Tonic. I needed my tonic. The thieves had shattered my supply, but I knew Gran had more tucked away somewhere.

After shooting a quick glance toward the Wolven to ensure they weren’t watching, I darted down the hall to Gran’s room. I faltered in the doorway when I saw the mess before me. Books and loose parchment littered the floor. All the drawers of her dresser had been pulled open, the clothing strewn everywhere. A chair was overturned, and the quilt from the bed was in a rumpled heap on the floor.