Page 32 of Cursed Wolf

Every hair on my body stands on end.

“Quick, dump her in the water,” Ragnar commands.

We don’t need to be told twice. We haul her into the water, Crius and I each holding an arm. On the count of three, we push her into the water. My chest twists with agony, knowing this is Narah and Jae’s sister, but I want the witch inside her dead.

Karia’s body splashes into the water, sinking at first, then bouncing back up and floating face down.

Behind me, Jae’s having a panic attack, screaming that she’s drowning.

That’s the intention.

Ragnar grabs my arm and drags me away from the river, but ice has filled my veins the longer I stare at the girl we’re drowning. Rubbing a nervous hand over my mouth, I try my hardest not to shout that this is fucking wrong. I know it’s not, but instinct is bellowing in my head that nothing about this is right. Jae’s sorrow is a blade in my chest, twisting in my heart. These three sisters have grown so much on me, they’re part of my life now.

Clenching my teeth, every instinct in me demands I rush into the water to rescue Kaira, but I do the hardest thing ever. With heavy feet and an even heavier heart, I walk away.

Karia may be the one in the water, but I’m drowning on the inside.

I came to a stop where I have a vantage view of everyone, ready for any attacks.

Narah unleashes a loud groan, her hands jutting in front of her. The air between her and the river ripples. It sparks, and a jolt of electricity runs up my arms from the static.

My heart rages in my chest as I swing my attention to Kaira. Every eye is on her when suddenly her body is sucked under the surface.

Jae gasps loudly and rushes toward the river, no doubt to save Kaira.

I twist to lunge for her, but Crius is already on it, swooping her in his arms. Sobbing, she beats her fists on his chest as he carries her back to the house.

My chest is close to bursting. I swallow my past dried throat and notice tears running down Narah’s face as she casts the spell.

I don’t move. None of us do, given the hellish situation.

Seconds are all it takes before Kaira abruptly bursts upward, her head and shoulders breaking the river’s surface, a scream in her mouth, arms splashing wildly.

I flinch, my heart in my throat.

Jae’s screaming behind us, and Crius snatches and rushes with her into the house.

I step closer to the river, but Ragnar lifts his palm for me to stop.

Focused, Narah’s not moving, and Stone’s chest glows with the blue runes. When I feel the tremble of the earth and see the rising roots from the ground and the river, creating a spiked enclosure around Kaira, I understand he’s keeping her trapped in case the witch escapes.

I’m not sure if it will contain her, but Stone’s magic controls the elements beyond movement, attacking and restraining someone if needed. We’re counting on it.

Karia’s sucked back under, the water thrashing, wild waves splashing the banks from the commotion someone her size couldn’t make.

It tells me we’re dealing with the High Priestess, and my hackles bristle. Still, as we watch her fighting the magic drowning her, part of me can’t help but pity her.

Memories flash of Narah’s mother doing the same to us. I’d never been so scared in my life.

Ragnar’s gaze darkens when he glances my way. He’s worried. Fuck, we all are.

Suddenly the splashes cease.

It’s silent… too silent.

No one moves, but my pulse is racing, and I’m tense as fuck. I wrack my brain for how long we were under, but I don’t remember. At the time, it felt like an eternity.

In a flash, a haze of yellow light zips out of the water and hurls toward Narah, Stone, and the dead body.

---