Page 28 of Dewitched

The candles that had been floating overhead crashed to the ground. The spooky mist that swirled over the ground vanished. Patches of grass faded, revealing the tiled floor beneath. The gnarled trees flickered in and out of existence, and carved pumpkins had reverted to regular gourds.

Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, more people started dropping, falling to their knees as they clutched at their chests and throats. He couldn’t be sure, but he had a bad feeling they were all magic users.

Owen didn’t knowhowhe’d done it, but he had no doubt everything happening was because of him. With a singular command, he had released a torrent of magic. While the purge had brought temporary relief of his symptoms, the vibrating and dizziness were quickly returning.

It shouldn’t have been possible. He’d always needed physical touch before, but now, he was keenly aware of the magicflowing into him, not only from Otherlings, but also from the enchantments that filled the castle.

“Owen!”Fenix snapped again.“Go!”

This time, he listened. He couldn’t stop it from happening. He couldn’t fix it or reverse it.

All he could do to help was get as far away as possible.

Chapter nine

While the accident hadn’tcaused any permanent damage to the festivalgoers, Fenix didn’t know if the same could be said about Owen.

After the mage’s departure, the situation had stabilized fairly quickly. Shifters and weres transitioned back, confused but no worse for wear. Magic users were a little unsteady, but they would be fine after a good night’s sleep.

Skye had swept in with a small army to settle everyone down and restore the charms and enchantments. She hadn’t asked questions, hadn’t made accusations. She had simply addressed the issue with calm authority, and when someone like her spoke, people listened.

Once Fenix had regained control, he’d dressed quickly and checked in with his team. Reassured no one had been injured, especially Iliana, he breathed a sigh of relief that he would be able to deliver good news to his mate.

“Go after him.” Pushing to the front of the group, Iliana grabbed his hand and clutched it between her own. “He didn’t mean to do it.”

He appreciated her defense of Owen, but she didn’t have to convince him. “I know.”

“Oh, he’s probably so scared right now,” she fretted. “Please, go find him.”

“Return to your cabin and stay there.”

For once, she didn’t argue. “I promise. Go.”

He happily obliged the order.

His heart pounded as he sprinted down the long corridor, burst through the doors, and turned toward the forest. He didn’t think Owen would enter the dark woods, but in his current state, he could have gone anywhere. Nothing dangerous lurked in the trees, but that did little to alleviate his fears. And with temperatures falling, finding histaleiwas more imperative than ever.

Following the scent of lemon and vanilla, he came to a stop first in front of his cabin. Owen had passed, maybe even entered, but the chemosignal was too faint for him to still be there. Still, he had to force himself to keep moving instead of wasting time in a fruitless search of the quarters.

As he trekked into the forest, Owen’s scent became stronger, more distinct. Better than smell, however, he’d also left behind a strong energy trial that pulsed like a beacon. It led past the treehouses—and some very confused fae—and into the denser parts of the woods.

Fenix hurried his steps, pushing his way through the thick underbrush. Occasionally, he stopped to listen and reorient himself, but he didn’t bother calling out. If Owen wanted to be found, he wouldn’t have been out there in the first place. He would have been at the cabin waiting for him where it was safe and warm.

After what felt like an eternity, the trees thinned and opened up onto a stone pool surrounded by manicured gardens. Blueand purple lights illuminated the depths, and steam rose from the surface before being swept away by the wind.

No lights shined from the clubhouse, and the area appeared to be completely empty. Yet, he could smell Owen’s scent, and from somewhere inside the building, he recognized the distinct rush of running water.

Nearing the entrance, it became clear that the shower wasn’t the only noise coming from inside. He also heard the heartbreaking sounds of muffled sobs. Though he couldn’t hear Owen’s thoughts at the moment, the full weight of his fear and despair hit Fenix hard enough to steal his breath.

He found his mate at the end of the row of showers, curled up on the floor of the tiled stall with his head buried against his knees. Water crashed over him, soaking his hair and clothes and pooling beneath him.

As much as he wanted to jerk him up from the floor and demand to know what he was thinking, Fenix did neither of those things. Owen needed a calm, steady hand. He needed understanding and patience. Most importantly, he needed someone to show him that everything would be okay.

Without a word, he stepped into the enclosure and shut off the water. Then he crouched in front of histalei, his treasure, and stroked the top of his head. The impromptu deluge had chilled his skin, and his wet clothes couldn’t be comfortable. For the moment, however, no immediate danger existed. So, Fenix continued to sit with him in silence, lending him strength in the only way he knew how.

It took several minutes, but finally, Owen’s sobs quieted, and he lifted his head to meet his gaze. His face appeared ghostly pale in the moonlight that poured in from the windows high on the wall, making his red, puffy eyes stand out in sharp relief.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice cracking twice.

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