Page 8 of Dawn Unearthed

I ignored how she felt against me, the way she feltright. Thankfully, she wasn’t pressed too tightly to my body or she’d feel exactlyhowright she felt.

Damn it.

“That man there is named Rome. He’s not trying to hurt you,” Rowen said from the doorway. The storm was long gone, the sun bright behind her now, casting her in shadow. Her dark hair hung in waves, her blunt bangs highlighting her gray eyes that shone with magic as she stood in front of us, looking like a warrior with her height and strength in her sinful curves—as a friend of mine had once called them.

“What? What’s going on?”

“Sage,” Rowen said, and I stiffened.

I hadn’t known her name. Sage. I liked it.

“How do you know me?”

“I’m Rowen, a friend of your aunt’s. Penelope’s on her way.”

“Oh, you’re the shop owner. I know you. You helped me with my store. I’m sorry,” Sage said, shaking her head. She looked up at me then and smiled softly. “Did they say your name was Rome? I’m so confused. Uh…thank you.” She looked down at my hands on her hips. I squeezed once, quickly, and her eyes darkened as I let her go.

My bear growled. I didn’t want to release her but holding Sage like this would probably be considered out of the ordinary for anyone, let alone a witch who didn’t seem to know that she was one.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, my eyes only on her.

Rowen cleared her throat, a curious yet knowing expression in her eyes. “Interesting,” she whispered. “Penelope will want to have words, Rome.”

“Nothing’s settled yet,” I growled, though I knew my bear had already decided.

“What are you guys talking about?” Sage asked, looking between us.

Rowen let out a breath. “This isn’t exactly how I’d thought this talk would go, but I can feel the power in the air. You’ve already been triggered. That is interesting. The fact that I can even say that means that whatever spell was over all of us, keeping you away, seems to have lifted.”

Rowen gave me an accusing glare, and I shook my head. “I didn’t know anything. A tree fell on top of me,” I said, a little petulantly.

Rowen’s eyes widened, but she smiled a bit. “That’s another Ravenwood story.”

“What the hell are you guys talking about?” Sage asked.

I sighed. “Rowen?”

The witch smiled, and it was full of kindness and power. “Sage Reed, formerly Sage Prince, welcome to Ravenwood. There’s a lot you need to know.”

Before I could say anything, before Sage could do anything, Penelope ran past Rowen into the house and threw her arms around her niece. I pulled away, reluctant to leave Sage’s side, but I knew it was for the greater good.

“I was so worried. You’re okay?”

“Aunt Penelope. I’m fine.” Even I could hear the unease and worry in Sage’s tone.Finecould mean so many things.

“You say that, but I want to get you checked out. Rowen will help.”

“Rowen?” Sage pulled back, confusion etched on her face.

Penelope sighed and looked at me, then raised a brow before looking at the other witch. “It seems we have a lot to talk about, darling. Don’t worry. We’ll take care of you.” She frowned and looked between Rowen and me. “Why didn’t I tell her before? It doesn’t make sense that I can speak so freely now.”

Rowen scrunched her nose. “I have a feeling that damn spell was far greater than we thought.”

Sage looked between all of us, confused, but no one said a word, no one explained anything. Not yet.

And I wasn’t sure I could.

Because the more I stood there, the more my bear growled, I knew one thing for certain.

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