Page 96 of Savage Fate

His fingers squeezed my arm before his hold fell away. “Just be careful.”

“I will.”

That was a lie, and he knew it.

I’d do anything to help Fane through this.

Logan pulled me into a hug, crushing me into him. “If anyone can help break this spell, it’s you.”

“We’re not leaving here until this is finished.” I wasn’t sure what I could do, considering I wasn’t a witch, but the mages thought I could be useful.

As I walked into the circle, Fane’s head slumped, knowing arguing with me was futile.

Jess clutched my hand and put the blade to it. “Will you willingly add your essence to this spell?”

“Yes.” As soon as the word dropped from my mouth, she sliced the knife across my palm. A sharp sting throbbed, and she held my hand over a copper bowl, letting my blood flow into it.

“Chains unseen, now be undone. By moonlit star and rising sun.”

A gust of wind lashed within the circle, whipping my hair around, and the spell mixture sizzled. All three witches chanted, swaying back and forth. Still gripping my hand, Jess towed me toward Fane.

“Threads of shadow, flee the light. Unbind this soul. Reclaim the night.”

His head lifted as we neared, the anguish in his eyes stealing the air from my lungs. “Don’t do this, Tate.”

“Stop being stubborn, Maverick.” I wanted to punch him and then hold him so tightly we melded together.

Jess forced me to my knees in front of him and pressed my bloody palm to the center of his chest. “By flesh, by blood, by wind, by flame.”

Electricity crackled up my arm and down my back as more magic collected in the air. Heat bubbled in my bloodstream, and flames licked at me. A groan slipped out as their spell weaved around me. My energy ebbed from the magic pulling on it.

Jess left me in front of Fane and walked backward to her spot, chanting.

“You can do this, Fane.” I rested my other hand on his cheek, angling his head toward mine to kiss him.“You’re the strongest person I know. Kaspin’s spell is nothing.”

My heart thumped, realizing that once this was over, Fane’s memories would be restored, and he’d remember falling in love with me. This barrier between us would vanish, and he’d be the same guy who sacrificed himself when he allowed Mykel to drag him across that bridge.

I pressed my forehead to his. “This spell will not have the power to control you anymore.”

As the wind howled against the marble interior and the candle flames jumped higher, Fane gritted his teeth while a burst of pain ricocheted through the bond. He tried to shield me from it, but his own strength waned.

“Stop trying to protect me,” I demanded. “I can take it.”

His lips curled back as he growled. “I can’t help it. My instinct is to protect you.” A dry laugh slipped out. “Even when Kaspin’s spell was at its strongest, I still wanted to protect you.”

A giant lump clogged my throat. The guy who loved me had always been inside of him, fighting Kaspin’s magic.

Now it was my turn to fight it.

The chanting grew louder, and the fire intensified, pouring through my veins. Fane cursed, and sweat ran down his temple. Tremors shook his entire body as his skin paled.

“It still clinging on,” the male witch hissed. “We have to go further.”

Jess nodded and held her hands out, palms up. “Dallas, drop the shield,” she told the guy before turning to Lia. “Use the Seal of Elarion.”

Lia pulled a necklace out of her pocket and dangled it in front of her, the black stone beginning to glow. “I call our power to break this claim.”

Violet electricity crackled around Jess’s hands. “Tate, move to the side. I need a clear shot at Fane.”

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