Page 2 of Crown of Envy

A cold knot formed in my stomach as a horrifying thought struck. What if Maggie’s lifeless state was a punishment for being shown the mirror while controlled by the pride demons? If so, her condition was my fault. I swallowed hard, my throat tightening with guilt. Maybe we should have taken her back through the portal as a wolf?

Lisa came up behind us silently. I didn’t even know she was there.

The soft glow of morning light seeping through the curtains filled the cozy bedroom. The faint aroma of freshly brewed tea and baked scones wafted from the kitchen below.

“Who is that?” Lisa’s voice cut through the tension like a knife.

I jumped, my heart racing as I spun to face her. “God, Lisa, I didn’t even know you were there,” I gasped, trying to catch my breath.

Damon turned to her, a smirk playing on his lips. “Maybe you could put a bell on or something. Give a guy a heart attack, why don’t you?”

She rolled her eyes with a hint of amusement. “I’m a witch, Damon. Stealth comes with the territory.”

Damon nodded toward Garrick, who cradled Maggie’s limp form. His presence filled the room, his power palpable despite the quaint surroundings. “He’s the Unseelie king. And apparently, he has a habit of picking up unconscious naked ladies.”

Lisa’s eyes widened, then her brow furrowed with concern. “And why exactly is she naked?”

“She was under a spell,” Damon explained, his smirk widening. “Shifted from wolf to human. You know, your typical Tuesday.”

Lisa sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. She stepped forward. “All right, let me pass. I can help her.”

Garrick’s gaze locked onto her. “Who are you again?”

“Forgot about me already? I’m Lisa, and I’m a witch.” She met his stare unflinchingly.

That didn’t seem to ring any bells for Garrick. “Lisa who?” he pressed.

“I don’t have a last name. I only go by my first name and had it legally declared.” Her words held a hint of defiance.

Garrick arched an eyebrow. “Sounds to me like you’ve got something to hide.”

Lisa’s jaw clenched. “Maybe I do. Do you want me to help her or not?”

The tension in the room grew thicker as they faced off, neither willing to back down. I glanced between them, my mind racing with questions about Lisa’s past and Garrick’s intentions. The fate of the unconscious woman hung in the balance, and I could only hope they would put aside their differences long enough to save her, even in the unlikely setting of a charming Scottish bed and breakfast.

Damon’s smirk turned into a grin. “You heard the lady, Garrick. Let her help your damsel in distress.” He cast his gaze over Lisa. “And no funny business, witch.”

Lisa rushed around the bed and placed her palm gently over Maggie’s slick forehead. The touch seemed to stir something in Maggie, and she moaned, her face contorting in pain.

Lisa’s scowl deepened, her eyes filled with worry. “Both her human and wolf are in shock,” she stated, her voice tight. “I need to bring her around.”

Garrick’s hand shot out, his fingers wrapping tightly around Lisa’s wrist. His eyes blazed with fierce protectiveness. “You hurt her, and you’re dead.”

Lisa met his gaze unflinchingly. “Look, Unseelie king,” she stated firmly. “You can dance around and not let me help her, but then you’ll have to watch her slowly drift away. Is that what you want?”

Garrick’s grip loosened, his shoulders sagging as if the fight had drained out of him. “No,” he whispered with raw emotion. “I can’t lose her again.”

Lisa nodded, her expression softening as she edged around Garrick. “I need to get my bag,” she explained. “I have some herbs that will help, but I have to brew them first.”

I glanced uneasily at Justice. If this didn’t work, Garrick would lose his mind, and we would have one dead witch on our hands. The thought put my nerves on edge.

Justice clasped my hand, his thumb rubbing over my shaking hand. I inhaled a quivering breath and drew on his support. He was a powerful vampire, and hopefully, he was strong enough to subdue an enraged Unseelie king.

CHAPTER TWO

The silence in the room was deafening as we waited for Lisa to return, each of us lost in our thoughts and fears. The only sound that pierced the stillness was Maggie’s shallow, labored breathing, each ragged inhale and exhale a reminder of her fragile state. I watched helplessly as her face grew paler, the life seemingly draining from her body.

Garrick sat beside her, his head bowed and his eyes closed, his lips moving in a silent prayer. The words were too low for me to make out, but the desperation in his voice was unmistakable. He clung to Maggie’s hand like a lifeline, his fingers intertwined with hers, his knuckles white.

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