Page 83 of Dawn Unearthed

No matter what, though, I had my mate.

We had defeated Faith but had lost something in the process. However, I had found Sage, the one person I hadn’t known I was searching for.

And, in the end, I had to count that. Maybe as everything.

My witch, my Sage, my future.

My mate.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Oriel

Oriel looked around at the large home he’d built for himself in the mountains, long before the others thought they knew who he was. No one knew precisely who Oriel was or where he had come from. And that was the point. They had forgotten him. Ignored him.

Others called dear Rowen the perfect witch, the last of her kind. They didn’t know anything. He was here. And that was all that mattered.

He would finally take what he was owed, what should have been his to begin with by all rights. The others would understand what they had taken from him and what he deserved.

He looked down at the photo in his hands and growled before tossing it into the flames, the glass shattering against the hearth. He lowered his head, letting out a breath. He would mourn Faith. He would regret losing what they had and what they had built. He knew her death was needed, however. She might not have seen what her purpose was, but he had known.

He had needed somebody to scout Ravenwood and let them know that somebody was watching, ready to take their place. Oriel’s journey was only beginning, while Faith’s had come to an end.

Yes, he would mourn her. He had loved her in his way. After all, someone like Oriel couldn’t love like that earth witch, who called himself a founder and a power. Hewasa side of a coin that others didn’t realize yet. Soon, they would know his true purpose.

It was time to fight for what came next.

And what was his.

Because Ravenwood would finally be his. Rowen Ravenwood was not the last of her kind, and soon, the town with all its secrets would understand that. Soon, it would all be his, and the power that Rowen neglected and ignored would come to him, as well.

If only she knew what lay beneath her feet. If only she understood what she was about to lose.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sage

Rowen, Laurel, and I stood in the clearing behind Rowen’s home, the three of us holding hands around a small fire, our heads tipped back.

“Guardians, Watchtowers, ancestors, friends, we gather in the presence of our Lord and Lady to ask for peace. Bring this town and its residents into the light and hold them in your embrace. Shelter them from the evil that lurks and let us find our way. From this day to the next, let us manifest plenty and more of everything we need, and bring happiness even in our darkest hours. With thanks and blessings to the great divine three, this is our will, so mote it be.”

Magic flowed through me, wrapping its arms around me, and I could feel the water in the air, in the pond, the earth, the stream, everywhere.

Rowen let out a breath as air slid through her hair and around mine, as well. Laurel’s hand heated up, and I squeezed it before daring to look at her. She gave me a tight smile and nodded, and I knew she was trying.

She was trying so hard. All of us were.

“That’s enough for now,” Rowen said as she took a step back and wiped her hands. “Now, we must close the circle. And, Laurel, let’s work on those burns.”

“I’m fine,” Laurel said, pulling her sleeves down. “This was nothing, just settling in.”

“Let me help,” I said, picking up the pouch from beside my bag. “I’ve been looking through my aunt’s things, and there was a whole book on healing.”

“The Princes always were good with healing,” Rowen said, a small smile playing on her lips.

My heart hurt thinking about it, but I swallowed hard to clear the lump in my throat. “Really, let me help,” I whispered.

Laurel pressed her lips into a thin line. “Maybe. But I need a minute.”

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