Page 323 of Sigils & Spells

I really needed some clarity on the matter, but again, this was not the time for that. I pushed my personal thoughts aside as the others joined us.

“Nobody touch her!” Enok Zell, Maia’s man, shouted over the whoosh of air swirling around the witch.

Zell stepped forward slowly, but he didn’t get far. The force of power coming from Enid pushed the mage back, and Maia ran to his side. Brandon stood with his large body slightly in front of mine, mimicking Magnus’ stance before Rio. It made no sense, though. We only kissed, and I’d already fucked that up. The sentinel was not mine, even if I secretly wished he could be.

Finally, Enid’s contortionist act paused, and her head whipped around, stopping when she faced me.

“Witch of fire, beast of flame,

Hidden desire is no man’s gain.

The father’s sins must be forgiven,

Else souls will rot in unjust prison.

Trust in powers deep inside,

Friendships forged, honor, pride,

Secrets buried, truth denied.”

When the last word was spoken, Enid collapsed. The entire room seemed frozen, and no one moved for a heartbeat. Then it was a mad rush to get to her. I got there first, rolling Enid onto her side and noting the shock of white streaking her light brown hair.

“Is she breathing?” Maia asked, tears streaming down her face.

“Yes, I can hear her,” Brandon replied, and it was only then I noticed him beside me.

“Bring her to her room,” Enok instructed, and Brandon waited, seeming to need my approval before moving.

I nodded my head, thinking the dragon’s behavior was odd, but only for a moment. After all, Brandon was a powerful shifter, a Druid, too. He probably had more magic than half the witches at Westwood, even if they refused to acknowledge it.

That was the problem with privilege. Many witches believed themselves above other supernaturals. I knew it was bullshit. But I was just one person.

Terror filled me as the image of Enid’s body floating above the floor, bent at an odd angle, replayed in my head. I followed Brandon down the hall, watched as he placed his burden on her bed above the covers. The dragon stepped back, and Enok took his place, checking her vitals and whispering what sounded like a healing chant.

Rio, Jade, and Maia were huddled together in the corner, tears staining their cheeks. It wasn’t until Brandon appeared with a tissue, his silver eyes glowing with concern, that I realized I was crying, too.

“She needs to heal. It will take time,” Enok announced.

“We’ll take first shift,” Maia volunteered, and moved a chair closer to where her mate sat.

He took her hand and pressed it to his lips, the look they shared so poignant, I felt like a voyeur. I nodded and turned away, leaving the room before I could embarrass myself.

“We should talk about her prophecy,” Brandon whispered from right beside me, and I jumped.

“What?”

“The prophecy Enid spoke. It involves us.”

“One kiss, and you’re getting all clingy,” I replied cattily.

I was hurting and hated my weakness for him. My father had trained me better than that. It wouldn’t help my quest to be weak for a man. Besides, I couldn’t talk to Brandon. Could not confess what I was really doing at Westwood—searching for some proof so I could learn who had killed my grandmother and mother.

Maybe Da was crazy, after all. He was the one who’d thought up the conspiracy theories. He was the reason I was not using my magic. Maybe if I did, I wouldn’t feel like this all the time. Like I was a volcano ready to blow.

“Tana?” Brandon said my name like it was a question.

I just shook my head. Maia and Enok were taking first watch, and there was nothing to do for Enid but wait. I just could not wait with the dragon. If I did, I would definitely do something foolish like kiss him again.

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