Page 104 of The Witch and The Blood Oath

“When we get to the High Witch’s court,” I said, “and wewillfind a way to get there, I need you to promise me not to leave my side.”

Cady’s brow furrowed. “You’re not going to try to convince me to stay behind?”

“Would you?” I asked, and she scoffed.

“Absolutely not,” Cady replied. “I owe Elle a life debt. I’m coming with you.”

“Though it pains me to admit,” I said, “I know there’s no way to keep your crazy ass from following me into danger, so I’m attempting to compromise instead.”

“Big brother!” she chided. “Language.”

Despite everything that had transpired in the last few days, I laughed.

“You’ve rubbed off on me.” I shrugged, but my mood quickly sobered. “There’s one other thing I need from you, Cady-Cat. One more promise.”

“What?” she asked.

“No matter what happens,” I spoke each word with care so she would recognize the importance of what I said, “you have to survive. No matter if it means leaving the rest of us behind,youwill live.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but I shook my head.

“Someone has to tell the world what happened.” I squeezed her shoulder. “Someone must live, and itwillbe you. Otherwise, I don’t care if I have to tie you up and lock you away to keep you safe—I’ll do it.”

Though tears filled her eyes, Cady nodded and threw herself into my arms. I hugged her so close, I worried I would suffocate her.

“Walker!” Freya called. “Arion’s awake.”

Chapter Thirty

Walker

“Do you want to waste the day hiking through the jungle?” Freya asked. “Or do you want to get to the dark witches’ home as soon as possible to figure out where Elle is?”

“Just go,” Ryder grumbled.

As I studied the waves that crashed against the rocks beneath us, I didn’t share the werewolf’s certainty. We stood on the edge of the cliff where Ryder and I had been ensnared by the sirens’ song.

Arion whinnied and reared. His black coat glimmered, and his eyes blazed with power. Looking at him now, I never would’ve guessed he’d knocked on death’s door mere hours ago. My gaze returned to the cliffside.

“I know he can walk on water,” I argued, “but that’s a pretty big leap.”

“He can do this,” Freya promised. “And I’ll steady his descent.”

“C’mon, Walkie,” Cady chided. “We’ve done crazier things. This will be fun—like a roller coaster.”

A roller coaster without seat belts, engineers, and captained by a demon cat.

I was surprised Disney hadn’t added it to any of its parks.

“Fine,” I agreed. “Let’s get this over with.”

“I’ll come back for you,” Freya promised Ryder.

Much to the werewolf’s chagrin, we couldn’t all fit on Arion’s back, so the familiar and Freya would have to take two round trips. No kelpies lingered near the island, so I was forced to travel via familiar once again.

He grunted. “You better.”

Freya swung herself onto Arion’s back and helped me set Cadence behind her. After I mounted, I struggled with where to place my hands. I couldn’t grip my little sister, but I wasn’t eager to grab Freya’s waist.

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