Burned

by Kensie King

  He must have caught her when she was coming back into town. Or maybe he knew where she’d gone. Either way, he had her now.

  I backed away from the door, letting her sleep. Right now, knowing she was safe, was enough for me.

  Gage locked the door again. “Ready to get to work?”

  “Why is your sister here?”

  He glanced away. “She isn’t feeling well.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “She’ll be fine,” he said with finality, clearly not wanting to talk about it anymore. But I could still hear the emotion in his voice.

  I wondered how much she knew about the spell and the curse and becoming a vampire.

  He led me back up the stairs and to the library. I should have figured we’d be working in here. My eyes immediately went to the desk where I worked last time. Where I did more than that with Gage. I briefly searched for the letter opener, but it was gone.

  I didn’t even realize I’d stopped before going too far when Gage put his hand on my back.

  “We can’t work if you won’t even go inside,” he said.

  I forced my feet to move. If Gage could get over me stabbing him, I could too.

  I sat at the table, and Gage perched on the edge. He set my satchel beside me.

  “You can use your book,” he said. “And I have your mother’s. We’re looking to reverse the spell, or to restore things to the way they were before. Anything to take away the curse.”

  I gave him a blank stare. I had no idea how to find that—or how to handle it if I did. It didn’t sound like a simple spell—especially if a Master of the Flame had to do it.

  “My mom probably knows more than me. Maybe if I talked to her—”

  “No. She’s more stubborn than you, if that’s possible. She wouldn’t tell me anything. We’ll see what we can find without her.”

  I released a long breath. “Gage, you don’t understand…”

  “What I understand is that you haven’t even tried. Link,” he snapped. “Look at me.”

  I reluctantly met his eyes. “What?”

  “I need you to try.”

  I couldn’t even think about that when I was also trying to figure out a way to contact Dylan. And get my mom out of here.

  But I nodded. “I’ll try. But I feel like I won’t be able to do much if I don’t know how the original spell was done.”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

  To make him stop looking at me, I opened my Book of Shadows and paged through. There were things I recognized here. Shapeshifters, werewolves, vampires, and more. It was all stuff I wanted to spend more time on but couldn’t right now.

  Then I got to the next page. Protecting an Area. I hastily turned the page before Gage noticed. Now, that was a spell I needed. If Gage’s property was protected from other supernatural beings, except for witches of course, I might be able to figure out how to reverse it.

  “What is it?” Gage asked.

  “Just thinking,” I mumbled.

  “About?”

  Shit. Why did he always have to stand there and monitor everything I did? I thought fast and came up with a legitimate idea. “Savannah.”

  He moved to stand behind a chair, keeping his eyes on me. “What about her?”

  “I keep seeing her—especially when I’m at the Knob Creek Hotel.” All very true. Of course, leaving out the fact that she’d been my biggest supporter against vampires. “If I could try to contact her again, maybe she could help me.”

  He frowned.

  I pointed to the Book of Shadows. “She helped me find this.” When he continued to look at me, I stood and started to pace to distract myself. “So if I contact her somehow, maybe she could answer questions or—or help me figure out how to reverse the spell. Anything.”

  “Can you do it from here?”

  I shrugged. “I can try.”

  “How did she show you where your Book of Shadows was?” he asked.

  “A vision.”

  A very scary vision that had knocked me out completely. But it had worked.

  “You look nervous.” Gage stepped closer to me, stopping me from pacing. “Tell me.”

  I avoided his eyes. “It’s intense.”

  “Elaborate.”

  “Last time I passed out.” I glanced up. “And stopped breathing. But only for a minute.”

  Now he knew it was a risk for me, too. Maybe he’d start to believe me—and give me more space.

  But instead of nodding, his eyes locked on mine. They weren’t trying to influence me. They were just blue and full of concern. “Do you think we can find another way?”

  “How quick do you want to figure this out?”

  His jaw clenched.

  I nodded. “That’s what I thought. Fast.”

  “Can you do it?”

  “I can try.”

  “Right here? Now?”

  I hesitated just briefly. “Can I have something to drink first? Water maybe?”

  “Sure,” he agreed readily. He gestured to the chair I’d vacated. “Stay here.”

  Perfect. I sat obediently and waited for him to leave the room. Even better, lock the door. Good. I was right where I wanted to be. Alone.

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out Grace’s library card.

  CHAPTER 25

  I rushed to project myself, aiming straight for the library. When I appeared there, I was standing right by Grace’s desk. Dylan was there, too, and he turned in surprise. Grace straightened but grinned.

  “It worked,” she said. “That was fast.”

  “I had to hurry. I’m at Gage’s and I’m fine.” I glanced to Dylan. “My mom is there, too. I’m going to try to contact Savannah and see if she can help.”

  “Link.” He reached out, his fingers brushing my arm instead of going through. They were warm and steady, making me want to lean into him. But I had to focus. “That’s dangerous.”

  “I think she can help—and Gage believes me. It’s my best hope at figuring this out—and maybe finding a way out of his house. I’m going to try to figure out how to get rid of the protection spell around his property, too.”

  Dylan pulled me into his arms. They banded tight around me, and I let myself relax in them for just a moment. Then I felt that familiar tug from within. Before I could say another word, I was ripped from his arms.

  I opened my eyes just as Gage walked through the door. He gave me a curious look, so I tried humor to distract him.

  “You said to stay here so I did.”

  “I didn’t expect you to listen.”

  Yeah, I was going to have to be careful. If he thought I was cooperating a little too well, he might get suspicious. But I was just as tired of this as he appeared to be. I wanted it over.

  Gage handed me the water, and I swallowed a long gulp. To keep my hands busy, I paged through my Book of Shadows, flipping by the protection spell again.

  It was possible all I needed to do was simply say the words out loud, that I wanted the spell to be removed, but I wasn’t sure my powers were strong enough.

  “What do you need?” Gage asked. He was still waiting for me to say something. “What do you need to talk to Savannah?”

  “Usually she talks to me when I’m at the hotel.”

  He shook his head firmly. “We’re not going to the hotel.”

  I frowned at him. “I know that. But I’m trying to figure this out, okay? It’s still new to me. I think—probably some candles and the necklace since it connects me to her.”

  He folded his arms.

  “She’s one of my ancestors,” I explained to him. “So it links us—and I think it helps her communicate with me.” When he still didn’t respond, I said, “Come on. It’s just a small necklace. I’ll give it back when I’m done.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Fine. And I’ll get candles, too. I’ll be right back.”

  Once he was gone, I went back to the page I needed. I read through quickly, and it was just like I though
t. I only needed a few words. And a piece of the property. I glanced around but frowned. It wasn’t the house that was protected, it was the property, right? The whole patch of land on this side of the road. Which meant I needed something from outside.

  Gage returned quickly, making me curse under my breath.

  He set the candles on the table, spreading apart the holders. He reached into his pocket again, probably for a lighter, but I aimed my magic in their direction and they flared up.

  Gage pulled in a sharp breath. “Don’t you dare think about using those candles as a weapon against me.”

  “Still mad about the letter opener?” I asked coolly.

  He propped his hands on the table and leaned in, his breath brushing my ear slightly. “You’re lucky I heal fast.”

  I flashed him a sarcastic grin. “You’re lucky I don’t press charges.”

  His body relaxed and he gave a low laugh. “I missed this. But let’s get this done first, then we can argue.”

  “Works for me.” I held out my hand. “Necklace, please.”

  He pulled the handkerchief from his pocket and passed it over. I took the necklace out, startled when it hummed in my hand. It was a warm pulse that felt good. It was like the necklace recognized me. Savannah and I were definitely linked.

  “All right,” I said, trying to relax. “Let me focus.”

  Gage stood silently beside the table while I stared at the candles and focused my breathing. Then I closed my eyes.

  “Savannah,” I whispered. “Are you there?”

  Then I tried reaching out with my mind. Can you hear me? I need you.

  Tendrils of ice snaked into my body, making me shiver. I squeezed the necklace tighter, and in the distance, Gage said my name. Like a faraway echo. But I couldn’t open my eyes.

  Lincoln… Her voice whispered into my mind like a soft wind. Follow me.

  I was behind the panel in the Knob Creek Hotel again. I felt cool fingers on my wrist, pulling me. I stumbled after her through the tunnel, tripping at almost every turn. It was so dark, wet in some spots. Fear mixed with curiosity hummed in my body.

  I tried to speak, to tell her what I needed, but I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t do anything but follow her until the room opened up slightly and I saw pinpricks of light shining through. It got brighter and brighter until I could see again.

  Her hand fell away as I stared in shock at where we stood. It was a cave, with a clear opening just ahead. And the rest…

  Look, Savannah whispered.

  I looked all around me as the cave walls sparkled. They were specks of purple and white, glimmering in the light.

  Amethyst.

  Bring him here, Savannah said.

  There was pressure on my mouth. Air filled my lungs.

  My eyelids fluttered and I coughed.

  “That’s it,” Gage said. “Breathe, Link.”

  I coughed again and pulled in large gulps of air. Gage’s face came into focus, as did the rest of the room. I was still in the library but laying on the floor and propped up by Gage’s arm.

  His eyes locked on mine. “You weren’t lying. Fuck—you stopped breathing.” He closed his eyes briefly. “I didn’t—”

  He broke off. He didn’t what? He didn’t believe me?

  I shifted in his arms when I remembered the amethyst and the cave. I had to get Gage in there—and I had to tell Dylan and Grace that was where we were going.

  When I sat up, the room spun around me. I clutched an arm around my stomach, still holding the necklace in my other hand.

  “I feel sick,” I mumbled, barely having to pretend.

  Gage got to his feet, looking ready to lift me up.

  I shot to my feet, gripping the chair by the table. “I think—”

  I darted for the door and ran straight for the bathroom. I slammed the door behind me, grateful he’d believed me. I heard Gage’s footsteps outside the door.

  “Link?” he asked.

  I almost felt bad at the concern in his voice.

  And a little guilty when I groaned. But it might be my only chance.

  I pulled the library card from my pocket and closed my eyes.

  My stomach swirled when I shoot myself away from the bathroom and back to the library. My projected body wasn’t substantial, but it felt everything my physical body felt—and right now, it was shaky and unsteady.

  I slumped against Grace’s desk when I got there. Grace jumped in her seat, then called for Dylan.

  He strode in from the other room, cursing under his breath and putting his arm around me. “Link. What happened?”

  “I contacted Savannah.” My vision swam and I grimaced. “There’s a tunnel to a cave in the Knob Creek Hotel—behind the panel. I have to take Gage to the cave. I can try to trap him in there.”

  “Wait,” Grace said.

  “I can’t. I’ll try to undo the spell around Gage’s house so you can go there and get my mom out. But you have to be careful. Gage’s sister is there and—”

  “Link!”

  I glanced sharply at Dylan, but it wasn’t him who’d said my name. It was Gage.

  I was yanked back to my body in an instant, and this time I really did feel sick. I leaned against the toilet and put my head in my hands.

  “Link?”

  I could see the shadow of Gage’s boots on the other side of the door, waiting for me.

  “I’m fine,” I said, but there wasn’t much strength to it. I cleared my throat. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

  I took another moment, then got to my feet and shoved the necklace in my pocket. I opened the door before turning back to the sink and bracing my hands on the counter. I leaned over and splashed water on my face.

  Gage ran his hand on my back, trying to soothe me. “Just take a minute,” he said softly.

  The tenderness in his voice almost undid me. He sounded like he cared.

  But I had to hang onto my anger for Gage. If I didn’t, I’d slip. I might start to fall for him again.

  “I really hope I don’t have to do that again,” I said, turning off the water.

  Gage stayed where he was. “I hope you don’t either.”

  I faced him and forced a small smile. “I’m fine. It worked.”

  “It did?”

  “Yes. I saw Savannah—or heard her voice. I felt her. I knew she was attached to the Knob Creek Hotel, but I had no idea how much.”

  “Her family—your family—lived there.”

  I gave a shaky smile. “I guess I need to brush up on my history.”

  “Why don’t you sit down?”

  I didn’t have a chance to answer before he took my arm and led me to the kitchen. I’d expected questions, or demands that I get going on the spell, but instead he was taking care of me.

  “I’m fine,” I assured him.

  “You look like you’re going to vomit.” His gaze narrowed on my face. “Unless you already did.”

  I was close—that part hadn’t been a lie.

  Gage stepped up to me. I straightened when he brushed his thumb on my cheek. “You need a drink?” he asked.

  “No.”

  To my surprise, his lips curved. “How about something else to distract you?”

  I glared at him.

  “I know you can feel it,” he said, leaning in even closer. “That spark between us.”

  I pushed his hand away. “I think you’re delusional.”

  “I think you’re in denial.”

  Dammit, he was right. I could feel it. That spark between us. He wasn’t influencing me. It was perfectly natural. Basic attraction. And he wasn’t making it easy to ignore, trying to take care of me. Showing me glimpses of humanity behind his bad-boy façade.

  “Gage,” I warned. “We’re supposed to be working—figuring this out. I want my mom safe and I want to get out of here. So, can we just get to it?”

  He grinned. “Good. That brought your color back. What did Savannah say?”

  I answered without hesita
tion. “Her Book of Shadows is in a cave connected to the hotel.”

  “What?”

  “Remember that panel we found there? There’s a tunnel inside of it that leads to cave at the back of the hotel.”

  He frowned. “Are you serious?”

  “Gage.” I sighed. He was exhausting. “Why would I make this up? You can follow me the whole way there if—”

  “Obviously. I’m not just letting you wander off to the hotel and trusting that you’ll come back.”

  I challenged him with a stare. “I came here, didn’t I?”

  He didn’t argue. It didn’t matter anyway. I needed him to come with me so I could get him in the cave. It just made sense to sound contrary so he wouldn’t be suspicious.

  “If we can get that Book of Shadows, I think it’ll tell us exactly what spell we need.”

  “Okay,” he said easily.

  Fuck. He actually believed me? I wasn’t sure why that made me feel bad at the same time I was rejoicing inside.

  “You sure you’re okay?” he asked. “Maybe you should eat lunch first. Or wait until tomorrow.”

  “I thought you were in a hurry.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “I want to make sure you’re up for this.”

  I stood and avoided his eyes. “I don’t have any choice. I’m most definitely up for this.”

  CHAPTER 26

  Gage went to talk to his sister before we left. I had so many questions about her and their relationship, but I kept them all to myself when he returned, and we walked out of the house. I spotted a few small, loose stones near Gage’s car and ducked down quickly, yanking on my shoelace to make it come undone.

  He glanced over when I crouched down but saw what I was doing. He scanned the property while I tied it. I scooped one rock into my hand when he wasn’t looking. It was all I needed to eliminate the spell around the property.

  The sky began to cloud over as we drove to the hotel. Gage was quiet on the way which gave me time to think. But it was too quiet to voice the spell, so I rolled down the window. The wind whipped by my face and filled the silence.

  I slowly eased the rock from my jacket pocket. Gage didn’t even glance my way.

  Speaking under my breath, I said, “Take the boundaries from the house, the ones we cannot see.” Continuing to picture Gage’s house in my mind, I added, “As I will, so let it be.”