AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ditching Ryder and Damian as they argued, I slipped outside. The temperature had dropped significantly since this afternoon, and the sky darkened without any hint of moonlight. Thick dark clouds gathered above and seemed to gradually lower until a swirling fog enveloped the entire area. I could barely see a foot in front of me as an uneasy feeling settled over my skin and caused little goosebumps to erupt along my flesh. The inky blot of night didn’t usually scare me, but something felt off. Ominous.Deadly.
The sounds of the party faded as I spun in a circle, suddenly at a loss as to which direction led back to the frat house. I didn’t want to venture far since the forest was close enough to engulf me in this weather, and I’d never find my way back in the dark unless I used magic. The loss of electricity worked against me tonight. Candlelight wouldn’t penetrate a heavy fog from this distance. Left alone, I closed my eyes to focus my energy. At least my witchy abilities could help.
As I debated my next move, I became increasingly aware of the fact that I wasn’t alone. None of the immortals followed me. The vampire, the werewolf, or even the new guy Ryder who wasn’t human either, although his exact supernatural ability eluded me. The undeniable pulse of magic lingered. Another witch closed in but not Gypsy. A powerful caster with a dark, sinister aura.
Evil.The intense feeling pressed against my chest, crushing my airways as the witch approached. The closer they got, the more I had to fight against the dark magic that sought to siphon my power. This wasn’t family or one of the thirteen. Mystic Hallows was home to those thirteen prominent witch families from Salem, but none were as oppressive and twisted as this being.
Holding back the urge to cry out, I sank to my knees and closed my shields, converting all my remaining strength into the barrier to prevent a breach. I’d never let another witch take the power of my bloodline.
The hammering pulse of the witch’s attacks slammed into my skull. Each pinpoint was a brutal prick and never hit the same place twice.Clever.This witch searched for a weakness in my shields, scattering my energy as I struggled to maintain consciousness. If I succumbed to the blackout the witch tried to force upon me, they’d overtake me.
“Cassie!”
The warbled voice that cried out barely penetrated my conscious thoughts, unfiltered into my brain like I swam underwater. My mind trickled information in at an agonizingly slow pace.Pain.Throbbing, stabbing knives assaulted my magic. My head throbbed as a painful wail slipped from between my lips.
“Cassie, follow the sound of my voice.”
The tone was masculine but soft, urgent but calming.
Awareness returned, and the tether the witch tried to force snapped, ending the assault. Noises returned, awakening my senses–the rustle of the leaves in the trees overhead, the steady rise and fall of my chest with each breath, the pressure of a hand holding one of my own, even the pain that began to lessen as I blinked my eyes.
On the ground among the damp brittle leaves, not far from the frat house, I blinked at the moon and her silvery beams of light. The fog lifted as quickly as it appeared.
“Cas, you okay?” Gypsy’s tear-filled voice eliminated the last of the haze from my brain.
“I’m fine,” I reassured her as I squeezed her hand. “What happened?”
“I was hoping you could tell us.”
The same voice that found me in the fog answered. A voice that my ancestors loved and adored. The protector and guardian . . .Gabriel.
I knew why he came now. At least, I knew one of the reasons. Could I have been wrong about his motivation for returning to Mystic Hallows?
“It’s a bit of a blur,” I admitted.
“That’s not good,” Damian pointed out.Thank you, Mr. Obvious.
“Agreed.” Ryder stood next to the other two immortals, arms crossed over his leather jacket. Sunglasses settled over his eyes.Strange.Who wore them at night?
Each of the immortals stood guard around Gypsy and me, appearing on edge.
“What’s happening?” Gypsy asked, her voice wavering. “I’m scared for Cassie.”
The vampire, Lycan, and the unknown immortal exchanged a look before Gabriel answered in a low but concerned tone. “Something wicked has entered Mystic Hallows.”
