The Witching Craft (The Witches of Redwood Falls 2) (8 page)

Seph’s lips pressed together. “I’m not leaving you.”

Panic filled him. If she wouldn’t leave, she’d be recaptured. Or worse. He couldn’t let that happen. “There’s no choice. One of us has to stay and fight. You have the talisman. You need to get out of here.”

He jumped into the hall, flinging blue magick ruthlessly, taking out a guard, wounding another. “Go!” He launched to the other side of the corridor, using it as a shield.

Seph still wouldn’t leave. She whispered something to Zora, and the girl bit her lip, nodding in agreement to whatever Persephone had said.

Why wouldn’t she leave?

If something happened to her…

He chanted, funneling magick into a ball, each sweeping pass of his hand building power. This wasn’t his first fight against terrible odds, but this was the first time he feared losing. He had to push himself, his reserves. Give all, and hope they made it out alive. If Seph wouldn’t leave, he’d give his life to protect her.

Whatever was needed.

The air shifted around him, raising the hairs on his skin. Such power…

He glanced over to Seph and Zora, the girl’s hand gripping the bracelet on Persephone’s wrist.

Confusion halted his power. The ball of magick slowly dissipated.

“Ready?” Persephone whispered to Zora.

Ready for what? Was she channeling Zora’s power through the bracelet, somehow making the talisman’s burden less? If such a thing were possible, Seph would have mentioned it to him earlier. Right?

Seph and Zora stepped into the hall.

“No!” he yelled. One blast from the soldiers and they’d die.

Powers arced toward them from down the hall.

Zander threw magic, praying it would intercept, hoping he’d given enough to spare them.

Seph chanted quietly with Zora’s hand still attached to the bracelet. The magicks in the air slowed before puttering out like a flame doused in water.

Before he could shield them, power surged from the duo, fanning down the hall like a shock wave, knocking out anyone within one hundred feet in front of them.

Zander stared at the unconscious bodies, unable to comprehend such power. “How…”

Zora gingerly lifted her hand from the bracelet, rubbing her palms together as if she experienced pins and needles.

Seph swayed after the loss of Zora’s touch. Zander reached her in two strides, taking her in his arms. “Seph?”

“I’m all right.” She groaned. “Weak, but I don’t think I’ll pass out.”

He glanced between her and the girl, his throat tightening. He wanted to ask the hell had happened, but it’d have to wait. “Let me help you.”

They stepped over bodies on their way to the exit, lucky that no one else stopped them.

They flew into the cool night, the first whiff of freedom.

Unshielding his car, they climbed in, and Zander didn't waste a second before speeding down the road into the quiet night.

Harsh breaths haunted from the backseat, then a sob. The girl broke down.

Persephone cooed, hugging Zora in her arms and whispered assurances.

Gripping the wheel, Zander berated himself. If he’d known a young girl needed help, he would’ve never hesitated getting her out.

His eyes met Seph's in the mirror, and the gratitude in her eyes shook him. Freeing them from the fortress hadn’t been easy, but without the power Seph harnessed in the hall, they wouldn’t be driving home now.

Hours later, they pulled up to her house, the area pitch-black with no house lights on. But that didn't make either of them uncomfortable. With his sight, he knew they were quite alone.

"Zora. We're here." She nudged the girl gently. "Come on. You can climb in bed and sleep as long as you want."

Zander watched Persephone with the girl and his heart thudded. Hard. This is what he wanted. A life with her. Children. A future. Zora wasn't their daughter, but he easily pictured their own in her place. He'd never wanted kids before, but the need was there, the desire. "I'll check the boundaries while you get her settled."

Persephone nodded, her arm wrapped around the sleepy girl as she walked her inside.

He checked all the spells, pleased when no repairs were needed. The magick they'd woven together held. He hoped their future would too.

He walked into the quiet house, following a light to the guest bedroom and watched Seph smooth the girl’s hair on her pillow before turning out the light.

He stepped back into the hall with Seph. "Is she all right?"

She blew out a breath, raking hands through disheveled curls. "Yes. She just needs rest and peace. But she'll be all right."

"Who is she?"

"Someone who needed me," she said softly. "She'll be staying with me from now on."

Surprised filtered through him, but it wasn't negative. He knew what she meant. She would raise Zora as her own. And he wanted to be by her side, make a family with her. "Seph—"

She shook her head. "Not tonight. I'm exhausted. I know things need to be said. We’ll discuss it all tomorrow."

"Okay." It wasn't unreasonable. She had to be exhausted after everything. And as much as he wanted to know how Seph had used the talisman without dire consequences, their conversation would benefit from a good night’s rest. "I'll be back tomorrow."

"Before you go,” she stopped him from turning away, “no matter what else has happened… I want to thank you for getting us out of there.”

Warmth filled him, her words planting hope in his heart. "I would do anything for you."

A sad smile formed on her lips. "Good night, Zander."

He swallowed hard. She still didn’t believe him, still continued to shut him out.

He promised himself everything would be sorted out tomorrow. They could fix this. They had to.

He needed her in his life. And tomorrow, he’d prove it to her.

P
ersephone only felt
a little guilty at ditching Zander that morning after agreeing to talk with him. But her errand couldn’t be put off a moment longer.

"Are you sure about his, Seph? If you're wrong, it could hurt her." Celeste glanced back at the girl.

"You don't need to worry. She's the True One. I'm positive." Persephone smiled at Zora as she reverently touched books in the vault. Persephone had known her a little under two weeks, all while under Voltaire’s control, and yet she felt like Zora had always been a part of her life. If she weren’t absolutely sure Zora was the True One, that her destiny involved the talisman, she'd never risk the girl. If Persephone made such a mistake, if someone other than the destined one wore the bracelet, the curse would affect her the same way it had Persephone.

She’d never do that to the girl.

"If you're sure."

"I am."

Celeste glanced around the vacant common room. "I’d feel better doing this deeper down."

"You know I'm not allowed."

Her head cocked. "You've been there before. Besides, this isn't an ordinary occasion."

Hands on hips, Persephone wished Celeste would cast the counter spell already. The longer they waited, the edgier she became. "We could’ve already taken the bracelet off and recast it on Zora. You're stalling."

Celeste cleared her throat. "Only because I'm worried about you."

Persephone reached out to her friend. "And that's why I love you. You've done so much for this. The talisman isn’t your burden to bear."

"I did very little of the burden carrying. That's been all you. I just cast a little spell."

"And had to deal with the danger of knowing the counter."

Celeste growled. "It was only dangerous because you trusted him. No one would have known I had it otherwise."

Persephone couldn’t deny it. She’d made mistakes along the way, but none of that mattered now. The bracelet was safe, she’d found the True One, and Persephone would unite them, then do all she could to teach the girl, help her understand the responsibilities of such power.

She’d promised Zander they’d talk this morning, but she pushed the twinge of guilt away. She’d had to trick him, to deflect so he’d never suspect Zora was more than a girl.

If he knew of Zora’s destiny and that Persephone planned to turn over the bracelet, she didn't know what he'd do. Uneasy, she shook herself. She didn’t want to find out. "Let's get this done."

Celeste nodded, grasping Persephone's wrist. Words slipped through her lips almost unintelligible, she chanted so quietly.

Warmth filled her. Not uncomfortable, but enough to put her on edge. Celeste’s magick poured through Persephone, scouring, dousing as thoroughly as any solvent.

As the spell drew to a close, an invisible net loosened around Persephone, finally lifting completely.

She sucked in a breath, forgetting how unrestricted her essence was without the bracelet’s curse. She glanced at Zora, watching closely from the other side of the room. She hated placing such responsibly on someone so young, but it was unavoidable. Until the bracelet linked with Zora, until it bonded completely with her magick, it would never be safe. Zora would never be safe. And Persephone wouldn’t risk her.

The elevator slid open as she fingered the un-cursed talisman around her wrist. Zander stepped from the doors, giving her a small smile. Her heart ached, wanting him, needing him so much it actually hurt to look at him. Would the wanting ever dissipate? "How did you know we were here?"

"Lucky guess." He slid a glance to Celeste before nodding a greeting. "I thought you might check in with Celeste now you're back."

"Yes," Persephone hedged, grateful he'd given her a good excuse. It wasn't a lie exactly. She had wanted to put her friend at ease. There was just so much more Celeste needed to do.

"Celeste, would you mind giving us a minute?" Zander asked.

She frowned. "Actually I don't think that's such a good—"

"I'll be fine," Persephone interrupted. She could handle Zander on her own. Besides, he was right, things needed to be said, and she knew he wouldn't leave until they were. Persephone needed to clear him out before they performed the spell.

Saying goodbye would hurt, but what other choice did she have?

Celeste narrowed her eyes, communicating her disapproval before leaving. She gathered Zora and took her to another part of the vault, leaving Persephone and Zander alone.

Bracing herself, Persephone turned to Zander. She didn’t want to have this conversation, but it couldn't be helped. They couldn't be together, and he needed to leave before she broke. "Thanks again for last night."

"I don't want you to thank me." His words were quiet as he searched her face.

She stilled, hoping he couldn't read how much she wanted to step into his arms, how badly she wanted to be held by him. She might be weak because of those feelings, after everything that’d happened, but she didn't care. She'd always needed and wanted Zander, even after he’d abandoned her. Her magick longed for its mate. Nothing could change that. But wanting and accepting were two different things. "You still have my gratitude."

"Seph," he raked a hand through his hair, "when I realized you'd been taken, I went crazy. I couldn't find you. I had no clue where you were. Voltaire shielded you too well."

If it killed her, she’d remain calm, pleasant. It didn’t have to get ugly between them. They could part as friends. "I believe it. How'd you end up finding me?"

His jaw clenched. "I tracked down Jack and forced him to give me the location."

"Ah. Jack. Yes, I knew you were friends."

He shook his head. "Not anymore. I could never be friends with someone who'd hurt my mate."

Lead pooled in her gut. "Our magicks might be mated, but we're not mates anymore, Zander."

"You'll always be my mate. The
only
woman for me."

She laughed bitterly, warding him off with her hands. If he wasn’t going to play fair, neither would she. Her heart bled, aching from his betrayal. "I might be the only woman for you, but there are things you want much more than me."

"I don't want anything but you. Us."

"You say that now, but a little over two weeks ago, you betrayed me. The second you found out about the bracelet's curse you told Jack, attempting to find a way to break it, to take the talisman from me."

"It wasn't like that." He scowled.

She raised a mocking brow. "You mean you weren't trying to find a way to take it off my wrist without deactivating it."

"No. Well, yes, I was. But it wasn't because I wanted it."

She rolled her eyes. He was the fool if he thought she would believe that.

"It's true." He grabbed her arm, forcing her to look him in the eye. "I wanted to find a way to separate you from the bracelet, but not so I could keep it."

"Then why?"

"Because I couldn't bear the thought of the consequences if someone got close enough. If the bracelet was taken, you'd die. I couldn't let that happen."

His words lashed her heart, but Persephone steeled herself against the anguish in his voice. She couldn't trust him. No matter what he said. He made his choice when he'd betrayed her. He'd do it again if he got the chance.

"I swear, Seph. I wanted the bracelet in the beginning, to secure it so no one would have it, but that changed. When I thought I'd lost you," he swallowed hard, "when you were knocked out that day on the road, I realized nothing mattered more than you. The more time I spent with you, I realized I had to choose. I couldn't toe the line between sides any longer. I chose you. I chose you, and I'll do whatever I need to do to help, to protect you and the talisman. You’re its guardian. But I’m yours."

It’d be so easy to forgive him, to throw all caution aside and accept him. But too much was at stake. It wasn't just her anymore. She had to protect Zora. "You might be telling the truth, and I appreciate what you’re saying, but I can't do this." She tried to turn away, but he wouldn't let her.

He held her firmly, pulling her against him slowly.

She shivered at his touch. Nothing felt as good as being in his arms.

"I know you might not believe me. That's okay. After everything, I understand. Please, just don't cut me out of your life. I'll prove to you what I'm saying is true. You'll never have cause to doubt me. Just don't shut me out."

She jerked away from his grasp, turning her back on her. She breathed deeply, willing the tears to stay locked away. This was so much harder than she'd ever thought it'd be.

She loved him.

To hear him beg, to grovel, undid her.

She’d twice fallen in love with the same man who'd not only left her, but also betrayed her. Her heart yearned for him, wanting to forgive all, but what did that make her? How could she take that leap again?

"Seph—"

"Don't." If begged again, she'd crumble. She'd crumble and never forgive herself.

"Tell me what's wrong."

Something within her snapped. She whirled around, her deep red hair arcing like an avenging angel. "What's wrong? How could you even ask me that?" She poked his chest. Hard. "You left me, Zander. You
left
. After everything we'd promised to each other, after everything we had together, you just walked away. You never came back. Do you know how I felt?"

He shook his head, staying quiet.

The flood gates opened.

"I thought you were dead! You were just gone.” She snapped high in the air. “No note, no nothing. I heard the news from your parents. I heard you'd moved and didn't plan on coming back. Can you imagine what that did to me? Do you even care?"

He pulled at his hair. "Of course I care! I'm not proud of it. I'm sick inside for what I did. I have no excuse. I felt trapped, smothered. Not by you, but by our destiny. Did you never feel that way? Did you never feel that it was too huge, too overpowering? I did. You were the best thing in my life. I loved you so much it hurt. But I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. All I knew was that I needed to get away from the enormity of it all. I was just a kid, but I was already
mated
. I cracked."

She wanted to hate him, but couldn’t. She understood too well. At the time, she'd felt the same, but she'd pushed those feelings aside. They'd found each other young, much younger than most people found their mates. But they couldn't change that. She’d dealt with it, but hadn't realized Zander felt the same struggle.

For once in the ten years since he’d left, the bitterness from their past seeped away. The purge drained her, sapping her of aggression. "This is too much. I can't do this with you. You need to go."

His eyes flashed. "I'm not leaving."

She laughed through the pain stabbing her. "Why? Because of this?" She yanked the neutralized talisman off her wrist, relishing his pained gasp.

Fists clenched at his sides. "Put it back on. Now."

"The counter spell has been activated. My life is no longer tied to the bracelet, and I won't die if I don't wear it. Now's the perfect opportunity, Zander. Here." She shoved it into his hand. "It's what you wanted all along. It's what you came here for. Take it. Take it and leave."

He fingered the metal, flipping it over in his hands as he inspected it.

No way would he'd walk out with the bracelet, but he didn't know that. Celeste would stop him the second he made for the elevator.

Handing him the talisman carried some risk, but she had to know what he’d do, what his choice would be.

"It's beautiful." He took her hand in his, sliding the bracelet back on her wrist. "But it doesn't belong to me."

Shock surged through her. "What are you doing? I said take it. I gave it to you."

"I don't want it. I've told you that. It doesn't belong to me, and I'm not the caretaker. You are. Until we find the True One, you'll guard it."

Her heart thumped hard. "Why are you doing this?"

He cradled her face, his thumb sweeping over her jaw. "Isn't it obvious? I love you, Seph. I've always loved you. I was a fool for leaving and an even bigger idiot by somehow convincing myself over the years that what we had wasn't real. But I'm not a fool any longer. I know what’s important. I know what I want."

She stilled, scared to move, scared to believe. "And what do you want?"

He smiled, slow, achingly tender as he pulled her into him. "You. Just you. I want to marry you. I want to love you. I want to have a life with you. I know I was stupid. I probably will be again. But I'll always love you. I know you don't trust me. But please," he said hoarsely, "give me a chance. Let me be with you. Let me stay by your side so I have a chance at winning you. I swear I will go the rest of my life trying to win you back. I'll swear with magic that I'll never take the bracelet, I'll never try. I’ll swear anything you want. Just please."

Love surged within her, propelling her forward. Her lips crushed his, and his arms circled her in welcomed shock. Bodies fused as they let the storm wage between them, all hurts from the past healing, all hopes for the future forming.

With harsh breaths, he ripped his lips from hers, searching her eyes. "Is that a yes? Will you give me another chance?"

The uncertainty in his voice warmed her. He'd turned down the bracelet. He could have taken it, could have walked away from everything, but he'd given it back and promised to swear an unbreakable oath.

They’d both made mistakes. But turning away from him now, would be the biggest one of all.

She laughed through tears as grief purged from her heart.

Using both thumbs, he brushed the moisture away.

"I love you, you idiot." The same joy that lit his face seared her heart. "I've loved you forever, even when I hated you."

He kissed her again, pulling her tight against him. His heart raced against her chest to the same furious beat of hers. "I want to be with you too. I want to have a life with you." He took her hands in, placing them over his heart. "Marry me, Persephone. I don't want to live another day without you."

She nodded, laughing when he stole another kiss.

"You won't change your mind, will you?"