Page 58 of Chosen Destiny

He moved with only slight winces of discomfort and not the agony I’d felt from him earlier.

“We’ve got a problem.” I hated to ask them to do more, but our hands were tied, especially after Russell’s pack had lost five of their own. I filled the witches in.

Shetsked but nodded. “It’d be best if we healed them in the car. We can drive somewhere else to heal them. There are a few places up the road we could stop, or at least not cause alarm. It won’t take long since we can’t do much. I’ll get the other four witches to meet us there.”

I nodded. Taking the new arrivals somewhere else was in everyone’s best interest. I doubted Kel would attack with the sun high and humans out and about, but I wouldn’t put it past her.

“Please, help them.” Katelin sniffed, and Jasmine pulled her into a hug. “They’re not doing well. Dad and the king are beside themselves.”

Standing, Prue lifted a hand. “The four of us will go out so we don’t cause a bigger disturbance. I won’t have enough magic to alter human memories.” She waved her hands. “Let’s go.”

I informed Samuel, Lucas, Miles, and Jack of the plan, and when the four witches went to leave, Katelin followed them.

“You should stay with us,” Jasmine yanked on Katelin’s hand to keep her in the kitchen.

Katelin frowned. “I’m sorry. I can’t stay.”

Something about the way she said it caused me to tense.

“Of course you can—” Jasmine started.

“Dad says I have to go.”

There it was. Confirmation. Something elsewasgoing on, and I needed to know what. “Why does he want you to leave?”

She wrung her hands and bit her lip. “Because…” Her voice broke, and she glanced at Jasmine.

That alone told me everything I needed to know.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

There wassilence as the four witches exited the house.

Clearing her throat, Katelin wrapped her arms around her waist. “I’m sorry. I don’t have time. I’ve got to go.” She turned and rushed out the door.

That isn’t a good sign,Michael linked with Bodey and me.

That was an understatement. The likely reason behind Katelin’s abrupt departure had my stomach roiling.

Before Jasmine could make it past me to follow her friend, I grabbed her arm, holding her back. If she forced a confrontation, it might strain their relationship.

Her head jerked toward me, and she stiffened. “She’s upset. I need to check on her.” Jasmine tried to free herself from my grasp.

That was the problem. “Going after her will make it worse.”

Jasmine froze and lifted a brow. “How? We’re friends. We support each other.”

I didn’t want to explain it to her. My throat tightened.

Bodey came to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.I’ll take it from here.He pulled me to his side and said out loud, “Russell wants to go home after they’re healed.”

I probably shouldn’t have let him handle it, but his touch soothed me, and I hadn’t had the heart to tell his sister. I’d seen how close she and Katelin were, and I couldn’t imagine telling Stevie I couldn’t help her anymore. It would be on the same level as when I’d decided to lock Stevie in the basement, almost getting her killed.

Shaking her head, Jasmine crossed her arms. “They won’t leave us like that. They’ve seen that an entire state was ripped away from us, strengthening Kel. They’ll want to stay here and fight to help us.”

I damn near winced but somehow held my composure.

“Honey.” Michael stood up from the table and walked toward his daughter. “They lost multiple people, and more are severely injured. Queen Kel knows the Midwest is involved. King Sutton won’t risk his territory any further. It has nothing to do with Russell and Katelin not wanting to help.”

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