Page 65 of The Fearless Witch

“I don’t care who your biological or adoptive family is and I don’t care if you live or die,” he whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. “This is my home. If you want our help or protection, you follow my rules. Am I clear?”

I swallowed hard, pushing my disdain deep, deep down.

“Yes,” I replied, and he released me, giving me a wide smile that didn’t touch his eyes.

“Splendid. Now let’s get inside.” He turned sideways, motioning toward the mansion in invitation. “I’m sure everyone is dying to hear this long, long story of yours.”

Chapter 27

Roman

‘The puzzle is finally starting to make sense,’ I thought as I watched Samara from my chair across the room. She had been surprisingly forthcoming when it came to her ‘long story’ and now that she had finished her tale full of pain, hardship, and Regina’s insane machinations, she was allowed to answer her own family’s questions. Or dodge them, by the looks of it.

Still… a male witch.

Until now, it had been just a theory, a worst-case scenario. The witches themselves killed those babies to spare the world the destruction just one individual could spread. In my entire undead life, I had never even heard of a male witch living past their birth. There were legends from before, of course, tales that were supposed to scare even vampires because, unlike female witches, their magic could affect us. Kill us even.

But Mathias was real, and the world hadn’t even known. What was worse, that nonsense wall I saw in the Castle residence now took a very different meaning. All the things that had seemed random, like the spell around the city, the kidnappings, Samara’s fake death, and even the oath Celeste had been forced to make to Moira Castle… they all had one thing in common.

A Castle.

It drove me insane that I couldn’t yet see the full picture or understand what Mariam Castle was after. She wanted Celeste alive when she made a deal with the Fae, but just a few weeks prior, her brother had almost killed Celeste. Mariam wanted the shifters and Fae kidnapped, but she gave them to the hunters. She wanted the spell cast on the city, but the moment that happened, she disappeared. She wanted someone of her blood to transfer her soul into or whatever she was doing, yet she passed on Regina, who was most definitely superior in strength to her protégé. It was just so… infuriatingly confusing!

There was one thing clear, though. If Mariam wanted to take over Samara’s body, then she was definitely after the male witch. And if she ever got control over him… not only would nobody be able to stop her, but the oldest, most powerful witch in the world wouldn’t be able to even touch her. We all would be at her mercy.

Lily got up from her seat and I focused on her as she headed my way. The color had returned to her cheeks, but she still looked sick. I raised an eyebrow when she stopped in front of me, biting on her lower lip like she wanted to say something. Her parents threw us curious glances, but quickly returned their attention to their other daughter, who was just suppressing a yawn.

“I… thank you,” Lily said quietly, giving me a somber smile. “For letting my sister stay and, you know… not killing her.”

I didn’t smile at her attempt at a joke. “You should have told me who she was after you figured it out,” I said pointedly, and she gave me an apologetic look. “That’s the type of information you cannot exclude from your report, Lily. She could have been very useful even when Regina was alive.” She looked down, twisting her fingers guiltily. I softened my tone and added with a sigh. “She could have died before you even got reunited.”

Lily’s fidgeting paused, and she looked at me with wide eyes as if just now realizing that.

“I won’t hide anything anymore, I promise,” she murmured, and when I nodded, her smile returned. “You know, Roman, I think you’re a much nicer person than people realize.”

My phone started vibrating in my pocket and I slipped it out, frowning at the name. Getting to my feet, I prepared to leave.

“I won’t be insulted in my own house,” I said, but there was no bite in my words. “Get back to bed and stay there. I need to go.”

I didn’t wait for her answer, already picking up the call when she called after me.

“I didn’t mean it as an insult, you know!”

Ignoring her, I opened the door and turned my attention to the call. “Yes?”

“There’s another body,” Allison said in a way of greeting. A cold chill crept down my spine, but then a movement distracted me from the unnerving sensation. My eyes fell on Malakai, who was leaning casually on the wall by the door, then on Alice, who stood with her arms crossed on the other side. “Can you get here fast? This one is still warm.”

I met Alice’s eyes and nodded toward the room behind me. She hurried inside without a word. Motioning for Malakai to follow, I set a steady pace, which he matched with ease. I couldn’t remember if I had seen him since Lily collapsed, but now that he was here and seeking my attention, I had a feeling it was for nothing good.

“Send me the location. I’m on my way,” I said right before hanging up on her. I focused on Malakai, who continued walking by my side as if we were going on a leisurely walk. “Do you want something? I’m in a hurry.”

“There is movement around the city,” he smiled, surprising me by getting directly to the point. “Hunters. They are encroaching from afar and for now, they are keeping their distance, but more will be coming. I fear they might be up to something.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to hold in a scream of frustration. Great, just great.

“I can’t deal with this right now,” I said as I let my hand fall.

“That’s not what I’m saying,” he continued. “They are not headed here, but your land is close to the city, so they will eventually venture this way. The ward you have won’t stop them.”

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