Page 41 of The Secret Life of a Witch

Because I sure feel different.

“Are you ready to ask your question now?” he asks, his voice smooth and even.

I nod, my brain a mushy mess of confusion. “I guess so.” Why are my legs still shaking and my heart still thrashing while he bounced back so quickly?

I internally sigh, realizing the answer.Because I’m magically weaker than him.

“I really am sorry for what I’m about to ask. I need you to know that, okay?” I wait for him to nod, before continuing, “While I was in the cage with that demon, he pointed out that the only way the hybrids could’ve found my sister’s body was ifsomeone told them her location … And the only person, other than me, who knew where her body was is you.” I bite down hard on my lip as hurt floods Hunter’s expression.

I am the worst person ever.

“You thinkItold them?” he asks, his eyes huge and crammed with shock.

I shake my head in truth. “No … But I had to ask. I’m so sorry.”

His expression hardens. “Well, just for the record, I didn’t do it.”

I wait for pain to vibrate through my body, an indication that he broke the contract and is lying. But I feel absolutely nothing. Well, except shame.

“Happy now?” His glacial tone could cast a thousand freeze spells. “Or are there any other questions you want to ask me?”

“I’m sorry,” I repeat. “I should’ve known better than to ever think you’d lie to me.”

He nods with his jaw set tight. “Yeah, you should’ve.”

I don’t know how it happens, but the next thing I know, I’m lying on the ground, my entire body convulsing with pain. I think I hear Hunter shout my name, but the agony overtakes me as darkness drags me under.

EVALEE

“Baby, come on; open your eyes.” Hunter’s strained voice clips through the darkness encasing me. “Come on; I know you can hear me.” His breath dusts my cheek. “Fuck, what have I done?”

I want to open my eyes and console him, but my eyelids are glued shut by some unforeseen force.

I’m so sorry I thought you lied to me.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, his lips kissing my ear. “I have been lying to you … Not about telling the hybrids about where Ryleigh was, but about other things. Not because I don’t trust you, but because I don’t want you getting hurt … And I don’t want to lose you. I can’t ever lose you …”

My eyes pop open, my body giving a harsh jerk as I suck in a sharp breath.

Hunter sits back, his eyes roaming up and down my body, inspecting every inch of me. When his gaze collides with mine, the storm of worry pouring from his eyes is so overpowering that my breath gets lodged in my throat.

“Tell me you’re okay.” His voice cracks.

I bob my head up and down. “I’m fine. I swear.” I start to sit up, but he places a hand on my shoulder and guides me back to the ground.

“Don’t sit up just yet,” he instructs. “I want to examine you and make sure you’re okay.”

“Aren’t we a little too old to play witch doctor?” I give a feeble laugh.

He doesn’t laugh with me, worry still creasing his brow. “I need to make sure the broken contract didn’t cause any permanent damage.”

Worry seizes my throat. “That’s what the pain was?”

He nods, slipping off his jacket. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking when I nodded.”

What the hell does he mean by “when he nodded”?

I’m so lost. And worried. And on edge. Plus, the pulsating headache from the broken spell isn’t helping, either.

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