Toya jumped over the table at me but I was ready. She shifted her hands as she tried to tackle me, but I jumped out of the way. She sailed past me and I wrapped my hands into her braids and yanked her back. She flew off her feet with a snarl. “I’ll kill you.” She snarled again, but I was already moving. I slammed her to the ground as I slipped my hand into the bag Micca brought down. I pulled the first length of rope out and turned to the girls. They had grabbed Micca by the arms and were holding her. “Get her into a chair.” I called back to them and slid a spool of rope to them. “Tie her too it.” Toya tried to slice at my throat. Whatever had eaten away at her was digging in deep, removing any and all love she had for me, and left only anger and fear. I pulled my hand back and punched her as hard as I could without breaking anything, dazing her. “Amy…” Hanna looked back at Toya. “Are you sure?” I could see the doubt trying to push forward, but she shook her head again. I watched he
She thrashed against the rope, the chair, my magic, but I held her in the chair. I waited until the bright cord finished the connection around our circle. Then new connections between each of us wove around us. Each person had a cord for each other. The golden cords wove into a tapestry of our bond, a golden shiny piece of artwork of our friendship and love for each other.Only now there were tarnished spots. Dark places on our bonds, where they were being attacked. I stood, looking at the cords, and most were still shining brightly. All of them were actually, all except the ones that trailed to me. “The bonds are all intact except the ones that lead to you.” Wendy stood trailing her fingers of the cords. She plucked the cords between her and me, and I felt a tug. It rippled in my chest, but I could tell it was weakening. The dark spot in the centre growing bigger. “Our bond is growing darker the louder the whispers get.” Hanna plucked the cord, and it vibrated, but hers was weaker.
I watched her face away, back into the trees, before I turned and faced the glass. I pressed my hands against it, and instead of a solid wall I thought I was going to find, I felt in push in almost as if it was a bubble. I forced myself deeper, pushing farther in, causing the bubble to cave in. Every step I took in the harder the bubble pushed back against me. It was fighting back, refusing to let me enter, and that just made me question what the hell was going on. This made no sense. Toya’s defenses were blocking my entry, but that made zero sense. I wasn’t here to hurt her, and even though something was attacking her, her mind should know I was safe to allow in. That Urbi was safe to allow in. I pulled back, gathering my strength and my magic to me, and then I slammed against the bubble. It fought back, pushing be back, but I used my magic like a knife, slicing through the force field and finally stumbling out of the trees. I turned back and I could see the edge of the invisible b
Amara stared back at me with wide eyes. “This is impossible.” She backpedaled, trying to create space between us. Her dark hair flying back as she stumbled, but I followed her. “No…but do you want to know what is possible?” I finally released her throat, but grabbed her hand before she could pull away. “You being here.” She furrowed her brow. “What?”“I let it slide the last time I saw you because I was confused and more focused on getting the spell attacking me broken, but this time, this time, I’m going to figure this out.” I pulled her closer to me. “What are you talking about?”“You, Amara, you are dead.” I watched her eyes widened. Then there was a soft ripple that ran over her face. It was subtle. And if I hadn’t known the real Amara, or if I was farther away, I would have missed it. “No, I’m not.” She laughed, deflecting my words. “You are. My father executed you, your mate and your witch grandmother himself.” I got into her face.“You’re lying.” Her face paled, and she tr
“No!” She screamed as she tried to turn away, but I held her securely in my hands as her disguise dropped again. I watched as her blonde hair turned a soft golden brown, somewhere between the dark of Amara and the light of Aurora. Her brown eyes settled again, starkly different from the bright blue of the twins. But her face, her face was similar, and I wanted to smack myself from not realizing it sooner. “Well now. Fancy seeing you again so soon.” I looked at Toya over my shoulder. She stepped closer, a snarl on her lips. “You did this?” Toya was furious. The woman laughed on her knees, but she wrenched away from me. “Yes. And why not?” She snarled as she turned on me. “Amy fucking deserves everything to be ripped from her. Her father is dead.” She laughed. “Soon her mother will become a brood mare for someone she hates.” I snarled this time, and she chuckled. “So I took a shot to turn her friends on her. And it would have worked. If it wasn’t for the fact, you are all too close.”
She glared at me but I held back. “Cat’s got your tongue?” I crossed my arms, but my mind was spinning. Verity was obviously related to Aurora. She was probably a cousin or something. She obviously had magic like them. The entire family had set their sights high for their mates. Aurora wanted my father. Amara nailed Beck, which I wasn’t sure if they were goddess blessed mates now that I think of it. And now Verity, setting her sights and claws into Rowan. “I have to hand it to you. Out of the twins and you, you aimed higher.”“I deserved more than my sisters.” She snarled and then seemed to catch herself. I felt my eyes narrow. “Sisters? Interesting. But you had different last names. Probably different sires.” I tossed my head back and forth. “I can only assume since your grandmother helped them you came first, and you were the mistake.”She snarled, charging at us. “I was not a mistake.” She screamed. “They were weaker than me in every way.” She spun and started to pace. “No one eve
“You’re lying.” She whispered as she stumbled back a step.“Am I?” I tapped a finger on my lips. “Have you mated? Have you kissed? Has he ever touched you other than what was necessary? Or has he been politely affectionate? Holding your hand, patting your head, and keeping a distinct distance between the two of you.” I was playing with her head. Contorting the facts to suit my narrative better, but it was doing what I wanted it to. It was making her weaker. Toya snorted. “I bet he hasn’t even done that. He has probably told her they need to keep space until they have bonded to keep her honour intact.” She smiled, and it was vicious. “I bet you that at the graduation it was the first time Rowan allowed her to even touch him.”She shook her head. “You’re lying.” But her voice betrayed her.“You think he is the puppet, but in fact, you are.” I laughed, bending at my waist. “You’re lying.” She shrieked again. “You are trying to turn me against him.”I wiped my tears as I stood back up.
“No!” Verity shrieked as I pumped ore power into the mark hidden on Toya’s dark skin. She thought I wouldn’t notice the slight discolouration on her shoulder. But I have spent years sparring with her, years being her friend, shifting with her almost daily. I know her body, and I saw the slight difference as soon as Toya moved her hair. Toya stumbled back and her eyes flashed with confusion. “What the hell?” She turned to look down. “It fucking burns.” She snarled as I sent a fresh wave of magic into her shoulder. “I know, and I’m sorry, but it has to go.” I grabbed her and pulled her closer to me. “Do you trust me?”She stared at me for less than a second. “Of course I do.”I nodded as Verity screamed again. “You can’t fucking do this.” She stumbled towards us as I shifted my hand into claws behind my back. I pulled back my power from Toya’s shoulder, like I was giving up, like her power was too strong to break through. I panted and flashed a look at Toya. She gave a tiny nod as I t
We stayed silent as we ascended. I puffed out my cheeks as Rowan looked at me but the elevator dinged and the girls got out. I walked out with them. “Where are you going?” Rowan grabbed my arm. “They are shifted…” I looked at him with furrowed brows. “They can’t open their door. I’m going to open it for them.” I shook him off. “Keep the elevator open.” I walked to their door and punched in their code, swinging their door opened. “Call me when you get back to your packs.”They both nodded and went inside. Hanna turned back. “Be careful.” I blew her a kiss and went back to the elevator. I slid in and pressed the top floor again. Rowan opened his mouth, but I shook my head. He was obviously frustrated at me, but I wasn’t going to talk until I got into my place. The doors opened, and we headed to my door. I unlocked it and the two followed me in. Toya headed straight to my bedroom, looking for something to wear for now, and I went to the kitchen. “What the fuck is going on?” Rowan snar
“What does that mean?” Verity stomped her foot.“It means-” Vince started. But Rowan interrupted him. “It means that if I want to speak with Alpha Amy, I must contact her and let her know I’ll be visiting beforehand. And that I have to use her title. Also, she will be included in any vote.”“Toya and I will also attend the alpha conference in a month.” I smiled at Verity.“But that’s…”“Only for Alphas.” Toya finished with a toothy grin. She walked over and rubbed her fur against my side.“While this is nice, catching up, and all, is there a reason your are here?” I looked around and waited. “Alpha Vince? Brandon?”He smiled, looking down at me. “We are here about the job position in the pack. Brandon told you to think about it. I wanted to come and see if you had.”I smiled up at him. “Sorry, with everything that happened yesterday…” I trailed off and glared back at Rowan. “I haven’t had a minute to think about it.”Vince nodded. “Where did you go yesterday?”I looked out the door.
We ran to the tower first. I wanted to handle our stuff before we faced the music. But as we ran into the building, I saw that luck was not on our side. Vince, Brandon and Rowan were all waiting for us. I shifted, gesturing for everyone else to wait, since I was the only one able to retain my clothes. “Alpha Vince, my King.” I bowed my head a little to both. “Brandon.” I smiled. “What can I do for you?”“Where have you been?” Vince stepped closer to me, but I just raised my brow.“Handling something personal. Why?”“You ran out of graduation.” I snorted. “Graduation? You mean the ambush that was waiting for me coordinated by the council?” Vince reeled back as if I slapped him. I felt the skin around my eyes tighten. “Did you think I was too stupid to see it for what it was? My father has been dead for almost two years and now they branded him a traitor. I think that’s laughable.” “Amy.” Rowan started, but I growled. I couldn’t even stop it.I took a deep breath. “Sorry my king.” I
I felt them leave this time; I don’t know how, or why, but I knew my grandmother and Carl were gone before I turned. “It’s done.” I turned to my friends. “Whose staying?”Toya and Wendy looked at each other and then back at me. Wendy stepped forward. “I called my mom. She made a bag for me for you guys to grab. We thought having Toya with you would be better.”“Not better, but I need to figure out what pack I was sent to. I figure I could call and ask for leave after I figure it out. That way we can make sure we are set for the next while.”Wendy nodded. “I already told my mom to tell the Alpha I have a position under you last night. She was ecstatic and the Alpha already agreed.” She looked at me weirdly. “The alpha pair really likes you.”I snorted and waved her off. “I’m likeable.” She snorted, but let it go. I crouched down to talk to Carly. “Are you going to be okay while we are gone?”“How long are you going to be gone?” She bit her lip and looked up at me.“We are going to be q
I sat silently. My entire focus on the bubbling liquid. The timing had to be perfect. I watched as the silver slowly disappeared, the magic sucking it away. Once the last flash of silver could be seen, I pushed the bowl from the rocks, dumping the dark black liquid over the grass, smothering the fire, and dumping out silver statues.“What the fuck?” Micca pointed. Hanna’s mouth dropped open. “Those were wood.” She walked over and stood over them. “Can I touch them?” I nodded, hiding my smile. She bent over and grabbed the first one. “Holy shit.”“What?” Toya walked over and grabbed another. Her gaze snapped to mine. “It’s metal.” I nodded. “How?”I gave her a look, lifting my eyebrow. “It’s magic.” I laughed as they all looked at me with the same look of disbelief. I waved them off and stood, bending to grab the other two statues. “They aren’t really metal. The magic, the blood, coated them in the magic I need to create, the barrier, the shield for the cabin. For Carly.” I studied th
Carly’s words had my stomach dropping. I finally looked around and realized everyone was staring at me, but I couldn’t blame them. This place, this place was still so fresh in our mind from last night. “We need to move this to a new spot.” Micca offered, but I shook my head. This was the spot that I needed. “We can’t.” I looked down at the ground, blood still a dark stain that I didn’t see. But now I understood. “This is the only place for this spell, and I think Carl knew that.” I sank on to my feet and waited.“What do you mean, this is the only place for the spell?” Toya crouched in front of me.“The spell has to be cast at the north point of the property. The spell, the barrier, stops people from finding those within. My father cast one to keep Carly safe, but since he went into hiding, he wasn’t able to come here to renew it.”“Renew it?” Micca looked around. “How do you do that?”“This spell is powered by a sacrifice. The hair or the cloaked, and blood.” I swallowed. “Normally
“Amy.” Carly ran after me, her sweet voice calling for me, and I skidded to a stop. “Yeah sweet pea?” I panted. The need to protect her warred with my need to take care of her. She pointed to a box on the fridge. “Daddy told me to show you the box.” She bounced on her toes. “He said it was important, but I forgot about it till now.” She looked worried.“It’s okay, baby girl. You did great.” I ran back to the box and pulled it down. Another note was taped to it. I wanted to laugh, cause the man thought of everything. I brought it to the table and Toya stood from the couch when I slammed the box down. “What’s going on?” She walked over to us and patted Carly on her head. “Are you okay?” I opened the box only to find more herbs and four little statues. “What’s this stuff for?”But I knew. This was the start of a new barrier spell. I grabbed everything from the box and thought back to the spell in the book. The herbs were here. The statues were here. There was a lock of hair from every
Carly whirled to face the end of the grave only to see Carl settling down on to the ground. “Daddy.” She stood to run to him, but he waved her back down. “I’m not here baby.” He looked down. “Well I am, but I’m not.”She settled back on her knees. “You’re under here?” He nodded. “Yeah baby. Amy laid me down here so that you can spend some time with me if you want.” He smiled as he settled in. “I know I won’t be able to come every time you need me, but today seemed important.”Carly nodded her head. “I miss you, daddy.” She swiped her hand at her face, smearing snot across her cheek.I pulled a tissue from my pocket and I wiped it away. Carl smiled, watching us. His eyes met mine. “I miss you too, baby girl, but Amy here has you.”Carly looked up at me. “I like Amy, but it’s not the same.” Hey eyes held an apology.I chuckled. “It’s okay sweet pea. It’s going to be different. And it should be.” I kissed her and then we turned to Carl. The smile on his face was bright. “Go on and say
Carly met my eyes, and she sniffled. “What will you call me?”I froze. “Well, I haven’t thought about it. I’ve called you a few names, but that isn’t fair to you either.” I looked around the table. “What would you like us to call you?”She looked at her hands. “Daddy called me pup. Or baby girl.” I nodded when she looked up. But she worried at her lip. “We can call you other things.” I offered. She shot up. She raised her hands and waved them. “No, no, no, no.” She whipped her head back and forth. I grabbed for her hands, worried that she would slip from the chair. “Sweet pea. It’s okay.” I slid my hand to her cheek. “If you want us to call you pup or baby girl so it helps you remember your daddy, we will. If you want us to come up with different nicknames so that only your dad called your those two, we can do that too. What ever you want, we will do.”Toya stood and came over to her chair, kneeling. “If you want Amy to call you certain names, and then rest of us something else, we