Page 72 of The Witch and The Blood Oath

“They’re cursed beings,” Freya said and ignored the werewolf. “Being forced to adhere to the commands of those brave enough to bridle them is part of their curse.”

“Be careful,” Cady said quietly.

I hugged her again and kissed the top of her head.

“They’re fast,” Freya warned, “but you’re smart. You can do this, cowboy.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Ryder said. “Walker will be fine. Even when he dies, he doesn’t stay dead. Let’s get moving.”

“Thanks,” I shot back, but Ryder clasped my shoulder.

“Don’t get eaten,” he said and walked to the edge of the dock.

“We’ll wait for you,” Freya promised.

I studied her lovely, freckle-painted face, squeezed my sister and walked to the edge of the dock with the least amount of vessels tethered to it. The last thing I needed was to get hit by a boat. Taking a huge breath, I dove into the frigid ocean.

Chapter Twenty-One

Walker

For a moment, the cold water stole my breath. It was instinct to thrash to the surface and paddle against the onslaught of waves. As a kid, I had always dreamed of visiting the ocean, but I had never imagined how overwhelming it would be. The waves that had appeared gentle from above now lapped at my body and threatened to pull me under the dock. The sheer immensity of the endless, freezing water stunned me. Magic heated my veins and roared in my ears.

Focus,I reminded myself.

I steadied my breath and dove under. My lungs burned with the need for breath, and I couldn’t fight the urge to swim to the top. As I crested the water, I took heaving breaths. I chided myself and dove back under. Above me, a boat peeled through the port. As I swam deeper, my chest and ears ached. The boat continued to slowly move through the water, and it blotted out the sun.

Adrenaline and magic coursed through my veins—there was no way I could swim to the top before passing out. As my power thrummed, I willed it to latch onto the oxygen around me and drew in a deep breath. I should’ve been able to reach for it without the motivating factor of fearing for my life, but progress was progress.

With magic alive in my veins, I squinted against the dark, salty water, but all I could decipher was seaweed and some silver fish. I swam farther away from the dock and deeper into the water but found no kelpies.

Closing my eyes, I imagined casting my magic like a net to search for the creatures. In my head, lightning webbed across the water. The lightning detected a familiar cluster of magic—my friends, waiting for me. Freya’s magic thrummed louder than the rest, but I forced myself to keep searching.

What if I can’t find anyone else’s magic?I worried.What if I’m only tuned to Freya?

It wouldn’t be the worst circumstance, but it certainly wouldn’t help me find a kelpie.

Seems like a magical, underwater horse should be easier to locate.

I willed more air into my lungs and sent my web the opposite direction, toward the vast expanse of the dark waters. Energy hummed in its depths, but…

There.

Past the boats and fishermen and growing frenzy of the bay, a different cluster of magic lurked. It blended into the wild energy of the ocean, but it was more potent. The magic I sensed was a harshly struck chord in the cacophony of sound, and it buzzed against my skin like static electricity.

I forced my eyes open, blinked against the stinging salt, and swam toward the magic, all while keeping an iron grip on the makeshift bridle in my hand.

I swam deeper into the murky depths of the ocean to avoid the passing boats. By the time I reached the outskirts of the bay, my breath was ragged. Magic and exertion warmed my body.

As I swam farther and farther from the dock, I wondered if I had been mistaken, but a giant streak of light darted in front of me. Luckily, my scream was swallowed by the water. Ryder never would’ve let me live it down.

Another streak of light blasted before me, but this time I was prepared. I caught a glimpse of a majestic white mane, powerful equine legs, and a silver tail, all of which glittered with scales. A whinny pierced the muffled silence of the water.

Everybody wants to do cowboy shit,I thought,until it’s time to do cowboy shit.

Whispers chattered in my ears and broke my focus. Something rammed into my back and sent me tumbling deeper into the ocean. My backached,and I sputtered at the water I accidentally inhaled. As I blinked my eyes, something shimmered in front of me, and I whirled out of the way just in time to avoid another hit.

This one’s fast,a deep voice hissed.

---