Page 10 of Cursed By the Love Witch

The older witch smiles, setting her goblet down.

“Oh yes. The equinox always makes me emotional.”

“I’m here if you wish to talk. Always.”

“I appreciate that, my dear.” Saege takes a deep, cleansing sigh. “It was nothing truly.”

I nod, understanding exactly what she means.

“The High Warlock can be a cruel male,” I say.

Mistress Saege’s brows lower and inclines her head.

“Darcee, I hope I didn’t give you the wrong impression. That somehow Bael was responsible for my tears because he upset me.”

Ice encases my veins, and dull ringing echoes in my ears. I don’t want to ask, but I must.

“What do you mean?”

Saege shakes her head, a few pieces of gray hair coming loose.

“The High Warlock is an intense male, to be sure. It is the nature of his kind. The things he sees and senses—it is a grave weight for anyone to bear. This is why he is so harsh with his students. Necromancy is no easy affinity. Every time you reach into the beyond, there is a chance you could be lost. Death is never something to trifle with unless you are absolutely prepared.”

I sip my wine before setting it down and wiping my sweaty palms along my dress.

“If he didn’t upset you, why were you crying?”

A soft smile transforms Saege’s face.

“Have I ever told you about Symon? My twin brother. He and I were inseparable, the way all twins are. Our powers manifested around the same time, and his dream was to attend Axwyne and become a potions master.” Tears pool at the edges of her green eyes. “He fell ill the summer before we were set to enroll here. Nothing could improve his condition, and he passed the day before classes began.”

“Oh, Mistress,” I say, taking her small hand in mine. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” she says, wiping her eyes. “He would’ve made a fine warlock—an even finer professor. As you know, it is the equinox, the veil between the living and the dead thins. Bael came to tell me that my brother had reached out to him. He wanted me to know how proud he was of me and the witch I had become. That he is waiting for me on the other side where we will be reunited again.”

The world around me tilts, and I feel bile race up my throat. I drop Saege’s hand and jump to my feet. My mind races, and I feel unsteady. Oh Goddess, what have I done?

Saege rises before me.

“I apologize if I gave you concern. My tears were very much of the happy variety. I would’ve shared it with you, but I was sending a raven to my mother to tell her what Bael shared with me.”

I nod, no longer feeling attached to my body.

“I—I’m sorry. I have to go.”

Turning on shaking legs, I walk quickly back up the path. Saege calls after me, but I keep moving. Bael’s treatment of me is one thing, but for the kindness he’s shown my favorite teacher, he doesn’t deserve a ten-year slumber. I should’ve waited to collect more information, but I was ready to believe he was evil. My prejudice made it easier to think that he was irredeemable, and it was easier for me to go forth with my plan.

His treatment of me is wrong, but what I have done is just as bad. How could I have been so foolish? I’ve risked everything by giving him that potion. More than that, I’m stealing years of someone’s life. I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t stop this.

I break through the woods and see that the party has begun to dissipate. A few students and professors still linger, but it’s clear most have returned to the dorms for the evening. My eyes scan the courtyard. My hands shake as minutes tick by, and I can’t see the formidable form of the High Warlock.

My eyes snag on Romina's dark head, and I approach her. She turns towards me like a viper ready to strike. Her pretty face is twisted in anger.

“Where is the High Warlock?”

Romina’s dark eyes narrow.

“What concern is that of yours?”

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