Page 56 of Savage Hope

“We've been saying that for a long time.”

He's right. There's no denying it.

“We're trying to do the impossible. It’s going to take time.”

His hand comes up to clamp on my arm, disappointment flickering across his features. “You said it yourself, Linc; it's impossible.”

I can see the swirling torment in his eyes, and I can't bear it any longer. Yanking him toward me, I pull him into a tight hug, putting his chest against mine as I wrap my arms around him in a vice-like grip.

He trembles in my hold, but with every second that I squeeze, he seems to calm. Not completely, but enough to soften the worry fighting inside of me.

“We've got you, Tate. If I could kill your blood kin for you when we turn twenty-one, I would, but I can't. Instead, we're going to figure out how we make sure that day never comes for you.”

Tatum nods, leaning back, and I reluctantly let go. His hands quickly make their way back into his pockets, but as he kicks his feet along the ground, he doesn't drop his gaze.

“We need a witch.”

His statement is a swift punch to the gut.

“Like hell, we do,” I grunt, and he gives me another one of those pointed looks that seems to work far too well on me.

“Be serious; we need someone willing and able to use magic, and that's not something we can do.” His point is valid, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

A witch. We thrive on not needing a witch. I don’t even like witches. I don’t even know a witch.

Unless…Midnight? What is she? A witch, a human, a vampire, a wolf?

I didn’t ask. I didn’t even get her goddamn name.

But…if she is a witch, could she?—

I quickly shake my head, acutely aware of the fact that I'm pining over someone I can't have. Not only is she a virgin, but if she were a witch, that would just make me hate her more. We stick to our quadrants, and that's how we run, period.

“We'll figure it out, Tatum. We always figure it out, but for now, let's run. It will clear our thoughts.”

“There’s nothing to clear, Linc. I'm just stating the facts that you're not willing to face yet.”

I look at him.Reallylook at him. This boy, this man, my brother. For as long as I can remember, since the day he watched his parents die, he has been my family, my pack. I love him just as much as I love Minnie. My parents must have known it, too; why else would they take him in and call him their own? From there, our pack began to grow with Wylder and Asher.

None of us are alike, apart from when it matters, apart from when it comes to caring for one another, then we're all exactly the same. And it's with that reminder that I bask in the promise I made a long time ago, watching as Tatum shifts, taking off toward the forest without a backward glance.

His brown marbled fur floats in the wind and I take a second in the silence to repeat it to myself once more.

I made a promise to my brother a long time ago. I won't go back on it. Not now, not ever.

I will find a way to end the blood kin curse.

Even if just for him.

Even at the cost of myself.

24

POLARIS

I'm not quite sure how, but I’ve made it to the end of the week with my memory still intact and my friendship with Bryony growing stronger. Since my blackout, I’ve managed to survive in my own little bubble, causing no ripples among the other students.

I just have to get through the rest of today, and then I will have the luxury of learning what it’s like to spend the weekend alone. There are no classes on the weekend and I don’t even know what I’m going to do with myself.

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