Page 77 of Isabel and the Werewolf Beast

“Things change, especially when you’re cursed by an evil warlock. But honestly, it forced me to reevaluate my life and everything in it.” I smiled at Dante letting him see how much he meant to me.

“Yes, I’m sorry to hear that happened and your decapitation. I suppose I have Dante to thank for returning your head.” He inched forward. “My thanks for restoring my lineage.”

Dante’s arms dropped by his side.

“I was there in the beginning… all the professors were. It was so long ago we were friends and family with werewolves, perhaps you’re right Isabel that the feud was unwarranted. We will look into the matter thoroughly.”

Dante grunted a deep rumbling, warning growl.

“If you may?” He lifted his eyebrows over his astute eyes. “Isabel said the warlock’s magic hit your brother.”

“He did,” Dante said, barely keeping the growl out of his words.

“Magical wounds are different to physical wounds. May I see your brother? I don’t intend him any harm.”

Dante stepped aside for my grandsire but kept his eyes on the professor not trusting him with his brother. It was Dante’s protectiveness over his brother that had first intrigued me. Now I was his mate, his family, I had that same protectiveness from him. The professor lifted the sheet and examined the magic burn mark on his arm and shoulder. He touched the skin softly and frowned.

“He won’t wake from this,” he said.

“What?” I gasped.

“See here?” He pointed at a strange swirl deep in the center of the burn almost as though a tattoo was inked into him. “The mark has a curse embedded in it. He must have cursed him at the same time as he threw the magic.”

“The same curse as Isabel’s?” Dante asked.

“No, this is another curse. Deadlier. He must have linked himself to Asher somehow because his death would end the curse, but this one is still here. I can’t be sure until I consult my journals back at the academy.” He lowered the sheet back over Asher. “I’m afraid there is no cure without Silas. Only he can undo what he made.”

“So Asher will be asleep forever?” Dante asked, the pain and anguish in his voice twisting my insides.

“Yes.” Professor Ludwig shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at his feet. “Curses have loopholes as does all magic. You found one in Isabel’s by joining her in it. You altered the outcome of the curse to some extent I’m certain.”

“So, if I join Asher in his curse, then I can alter it?” Dante asked the edge of hope now tinging his voice.

“You would leave your mate and become stuck in a curse with no cure?” he asked, voicing my thoughts for me.

“No. Never.” Dante’s gaze met mine. The guilt hanging heavy in his gaze made me step to his side and slide my arm through his telling him I was with him now and always.

“Is Silas still alive?” I asked, barely forcing the words out of my mouth.

“His body is dead… but a part of him is connected to Asher and the curse.”

“There has to be a way to kill all of him,” I pleaded.

“A Constantine descendant might be able to lift the curse,” the professor said lifting his lowered gaze to meet my eyes. “Find the part of Silas that is still ‘alive’ for want of a better term.”

“I don’t want another warlock near me,” I said suppressing the shiver of dread threatening to run down my spine.

“The Constantine’s were a brother and sister. I was talking about the sister… her… descendants instead.”

“A witch? I thought no one had seen her since the spell?” I asked.

“I still have many secrets.” He stared back at Asher’s body. “I know where a Constantine witch lives. Bring Asher to the Nightshade Academy.”

“Why?”

“Everything you need to help you is there.”

“Thank you,” Dante said sticking his hand out again.

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