Page 78 of Cage Me

Spencer’s head tilts. “You’re different.”

“I’m finally tapping into our bond.” The back of my hand brushes over her arm. “We’re going to be fine.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” she grumbles and glances toward the outside. “I think we might be trapped in here.”

The sky is darkening, but it’s the middle of the day. I can’t sense Kel, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t coming.

“Get Natalia’s spell,” I tell her. “There’s no reason to fight. When Kel shows her face, we use it and end this.”

Spencer opens the pouch and frowns. “I was looking forward to at least a little fight, but your plan is probably better.”

I shake my head and grin. Of course she was.

I start to say something else, but my words are cut off as an inky shadow starts to form within the diner.

“What the fuck?” Spencer growls. “So much for a cloaking spell.”

A cackle echoes through the small space. “There isn’t a witch in existence that can keep me from where I want to go, and that includes your little friend who will soon pay for trying to kill me.”

She’s here.

Months have passed since I’ve seen Kel. Days filled with ire and the desire to spill her blood, and now that the moment is here, none of that surfaces. I don’t want to be the monster she held captive.

One look at my mate, and I know more than anything else, I want to be the man she deserves.

“You’re not going to hurt anyone else, Kel,” I tell her with my eyes focused forward, waiting for her to take form.

The shadows she’s created begin to fade and, in their place, there stands the witch. Her short ebony hair curls in around her face and her fair skin stands out against the ruby red of her lips. Her hands slide up the sides of her one-piece black leather suit as she raises her arms up into the air.

“Doesn’t it feel good to be free, Drake?” Her dark-green eyes leer at me. “I’ve quite enjoyed myself, but it’s time for you to come home with me.”

“He’s not going anywhere with you, bitch.” Spencer throws the spell from Natalia just as we talked about and I prepare to shift to give the killing blow, but Kel’s laughter stops me.

“It’s quite charming that you thought you could beat me,” she taunts, brushing a hand over herself as if the supposed-to-be-lethal spell is nothing more than dust before her glare settles on Spencer. “I was going to leave you alive as collateral for Drake to do what I want, but I think it will be more fun to kill you just like I’ve sent others to do to your family.”

Spencer tries to launch herself at the witch, but I grab her waist and pull her back toward me. I won’t let my mate give that witch what she wants.

“That’s right. Keep your bitch on a leash.” Kel waves a hand around the lingering flickers of Natalia’s spell. “I have to give credit to the other witch. She may have nearly beat me if I wasn’t prepared. Having a lock on your mind sure did come in handy when you weren’t pissing me off for being a pathetic man.”

She’s been listening this whole time.

My heart sinks and I grind my teeth together, but Spencer is raging enough for the both of us. I have to keep my mind calm.

“If there’s even a scratch on my family, I will bring you back from the dead after we’re done with you just to kill you again,” Spencer spits out, but she’s at least no longer fighting against my hold.

Kel shakes a finger. “You shouldn’t make threats you can’t follow through on, pup. You might be strong, but your energy isn’t enough to beat me. Now, roll over and die or fight me, then die. Either way, your life ends today. But look at the bright side, you’ll see that mother and brother of yours soon.”

Spencer’s growl is deep, but mine drowns hers out within an instant. “You won’t hurt any of them.”

Maybe there’s a balance between what Spencer thought I should be and what I’ve been trying to be. I’m about to find out.

I reach into my back pocket and grab the gift from Kasha. If they’re at risk back at the house and Natalia’s spell isn’t going to work, then I believe we’ve officially become desperate.

Chapter 30

SPENCER

Icould sense Drake’s calm. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt and try things his way, but the moment that bitch threatened my family, I lost all sense of control. My wolf trembles just beneath the surface, and I don’t want to hold her back any longer.