Page 67 of Scorned

My mind reeled with possibilities of what the hell was going on. Was I dreaming? Perhaps sleepwalking? Or were these actual witches?

The woman in the middle gave me an empathetic smile, her fair skin seemingly unfazed by the frigid weather. “You shouldn’t be outside of the wards. Anyone could see you.”

“My butterfly is gone. It’s gone!” the butterfly-chaser belted out.

“It’s okay, Cece. We’ll find you another.” The one in the middle appeared to be the leader when she stepped forward and raised her freckled hand, grazing the back of her finger down my cheek. “You are exquisite, my silver.”

“Beautiful silver, beautiful silver,” the one I now knew as Cece chanted. She looked similar to the copper-haired one touching me, except she had fewer curls and more freckles sprayed across her pink cheeks.

“Yes, sister. The silver is beautiful.” The leader laid her hand flat on my cheek and tilted her head in an admiring manner.

The third woman had umber-colored skin with a radiant golden undertone. Her eye and lip makeup were dark, giving her a beautiful yet mysterious look. “Shayla, can you step aside? Archibald wants to meet her.”

“Be my guest, Delaney.” Shayla dropped her hand, taking a few steps back, and the third woman replaced her.

Delaney held her hand out and the snake slithered out from under her black hair, crawled down her arm, and wrapped himself around her wrist. She raised her arm so he was eye level with me, and I held my breath as he flicked his tongue on my cheek. I may not be afraid of snakes, but I sure as hell didn’t want one kissing me.

“Archie likes her, Archie likes her,” Cece chanted excitedly, then pulled her dress up and spun in circles.

Delaney lowered the snake, turning her attention to Shayla. “The wolves are on their way. Time is up.”

“I know, sister. We shall not fret, the alpha is with them.”

A twig cracked a split second before a gray wolf prowled in from the right side of me, and after spending months seeing them, I immediately recognized the wolf to be Kimber. Heston, a lighter gray wolf, circled in from the left. Both of them issued low warning growls that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

Drag had been the biggest of ‌the wolven I had seen so far, and I was grateful when he darted right up between me and the trio without hesitation. He shifted back into a human and my gaze accidentally landed on his naked backside before I let out a regretful sigh.

“Release her.” His commanding tone surprised me, but didn’t faze the women.

“What is the point of us cloaking your camp if you can’t keep your people inside of it?” Shayla flicked two fingers toward me again and the death grip on my muscles lifted, leaving me feeling like jelly had replaced the stone. “Sorry we had to use magic on you, silver. But your fast-acting demeanor could have injured one of my sisters.”

I pulled my arms into myself, rubbing the numbness away. “What the hell is going on?”

Drag snapped his fingers at me, his eyes relaying a warning, as did his reprimanding. “You be quiet. Your ass shouldn’t have even been outside the wards.”

Every interaction I had with Drag assured me he was a gentle and caring man, so his unusual abrasiveness caused my mouth to fall open.

“Shocked silver. Shocked silver.” Cece laughed, then smiled innocently at me.

Drag ignored us both, turning his attention back to Shayla. “What are you doing here?”

“You missed the Winter Solstice festival without a call, Dragos Oliver Montoya. And when you didn’t show up for our quarterly meeting, my sisters and I became worried. When I spell-checked you, I observed a bright light surrounding your presence. Not being able to contain our excitement, we came to see the star with haste.” Shayla’s eyes drifted to me and the sparkle shining in them was almost unreal. “She is the silver who will end the war. The prophecy we have been waiting for.”

“The silver prophecy departs for odyssey, but destiny will veer if the course is not clear,” Cece sang.

“You need not worry, sister. Destiny is on course and shall stay that way if everyone involved fulfills their responsibilities.” Shayla stepped in close to me again. “Please sheath your dagger.”

I looked at Drag for confirmation. He nodded, so I slid my blade back in its holster.

Shayla took my right hand in hers and I felt a small electrical spark. “Your light shines bright, my silver. Do not let the blood of your blood dull your blaze. You must fulfill the prophecy.”

I blinked repeatedly, making sure I wasn’t dreaming. “I’m sorry, but I’m not involved in any prophecy.”

“Is your name Sagelynn Juniper Argent?”

Knowing only a couple people knew my middle name, I glanced around before I hesitantly answered. “I am.”

“Then you are an Argentum, are you not?”

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