Page 36 of Gone Hunting

“She thinks I’m here to hurt her,” Celia says, shaking violently when more of Mimi’s energy surges.

I want to reassure her and Koda. For someone who should have control over his beast, Koda’s big red wolf is seconds from unraveling. But then Mimi’s magic smacks me across the face like an insolent brat, pissing me and my wolf off.

Gemini is shaking violently. Like the rest of us, he’s barely curbing his primal side. From far behind us, his twin howls, beckoning us to return.

Almost at once, the path leading to Mimi’s cave narrows. The tomatoes, the ones the size of watermelons dangling from flimsy shoots, the same ones we’ve tried to avoid, close in.

Celia inches away from the tomatoes. So do I. So does Gemini and Koda.Weresare capable of many things. Reversing spells that turn us inside out are not among them.

Another current of power branches up and out of the earth like a twisting beanstalk.

If beanstalks sprouted needles and spit fire.

Koda yelps and hops away, the hem of his jeans singed. His glare sweeps to the spot where he just stood. There’s nothing there, but whatever it is, it’severywhere.

My hand tightens around Celia’s. “We have to get out of here,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. My wolf paces restlessly, demanding out. “Walk slowly and retrace your steps as best you can.”

Everyone nods and we begin to retreat.

Everyone except Liam.

I jerk my head when I realize Liam didn’t so much as pause. He lifts his hand, ready to knock on Mimi’s door.

“Liam, stop!” I yell.

Liam glances over his shoulder, appearing annoyed. “You guys are acting like a bunch of pussies. No offense, Celia. Let’s take care of business so we can get out of here. I’m hungry.”

It’s the last thing he says before an explosion of black and gray magic slings us back like pebbles thrown across a lake.

A lake swarming with chaos and magic.

Chapter Nine

Mimi’s magic blinds me. It blinds everything, turning the entire area into a disorienting cloud of light and sound. Time slows as I soar, spinning into the air, my over-stimulated senses shoving me toward mental collapse. Noise batters my eardrums and odd vibrations grate and twist my skin, while tinny and deep bellowing echoes pelt my skull like pounds of falling hail.

The spell is strong. I can taste it; a mixture of warm, curdling milk and rotting lemons thick enough to coat my tongue. I can smell it, too, my eyes watering as it singes through my nose.

Mimi’s power is meant to confuse and overcome trespassers.

It does a good job.

My instincts take over as Celia slips from my grasp. I yank her against me, clutching her body and shielding her head. She falls on top of me as my body crashes into the earth like a meteor.

The sheer force of Mimi’s spell drags me against the dank soil, creating a thick groove and partially burying us. I cough, gasping for air.

Celia coughs, too, but her breathing appears less harsh. Her hands fall on either side of my head. “Are you all right?’ she asks. “Aric, can you hear me?”

Her voice sounds muffled. I think my hearing is damaged from the spell until Celia straddles me and hauls me into a sitting position. With a crackle and several pops, clumps of dirt spill from my hair and ears and fall against my shoulders.

“I’m fine,” I say, shaking my head to clear what remains. “You?”

“I’m all right,” she says. “Just a little banged up.”

Very slowly, the cloud of dirt, dust, and whatever Mimi packed into that spell clears. Celia rests on my lap, her body angled toward the opening of the large hole I created. “We need to get out here,” she whispers. “I don’t feel her, but I don’t want to set off another magical boobytrap.”

“Tell me about it.” My hand rests on Celia’s thigh. I give it a squeeze. “Stay close. Okay? I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

She tilts her head to the side, her gaze fastening on mine. It holds like a formidable force, sending my heartbeat racing full speed ahead. I open my mouth to say something. But the words don’t come. Not then. She lifts her hand to my cheek, carefully brushing away a spot of dirt. The motion is so soothing, I forget where I am.

---