Page 31 of Witches Be Damned

Luna raised a palm at him, and he whined, staying where he was and scratching at his chest. I buried my face in her shoulder, trying to subdue my tears and not dismay him further. He growled as Gable dragged him outside to finish their project. My friend held me until my tears and emotions dried up. We split apart and sipped at our tea, sitting in comfortable silence.

When the guys finished their spell, they came back inside, and Raze hurried to my side, brushing my hair and shoulders. I reached back to clasp his hand, needing his earthy scent to ground me.

“This will cover you until the full moon,” Gable informed. “Then I’ll have to come back and replenish the weakened spells.”

The next full moon was due in half a month. Fourteen days with Raze didn’t feel like enough when we were together every day for almost two years. Cold flushed my heart at that thought of us parting again and not being able to hold or kiss him for months on end.

“You’ll be able to walk within the sanctuary, no problem.” He fished out a medallion. “If you need to leave for whatever reason, wear this.”

“Thanks.” I pressed the medallion between my palms and slumped in my chair.

Raze’s throat started to make the whining noise he did when his wolf tried to soothe me. I stuffed down my dread and slapped on a smile.

Gable crossed his bag over his chest so it didn’t slump down his arm. “Fortunately for my business and the Guild’s, but unfortunately for you, not all the Veil issues were resolved by the sixth element. Were they, Princess?”

“Nope.” She linked her fingers with his and ran them back and forth between his. “Sorry about that. I should have kept hold of the sixth element until I checked that everything I wished for was changed.”

Luna’s parents buried a symbol in her mind that was used by ancient sorcerers to wield a sixth power, beyond the standard five magick elements of earth, air, fire, water, and death. Her grandfather pried the symbol from her mind and tried to take over the world with it, but failed, thanks to Luna and her men stopping him. In the process, she freed the sixth element from its servitude and asked it to render her grandfather’s organization powerless. As such, Brotherhood of Serpents, long-standing enemies of the Guild, were no more. Further wishes repaired gaping holes in the Veil, reducing breaches by gantii into our world, though it didn’t entirely eliminate the fluctuations in Veil strength caused by solar bodies and celestial events. That would have put the Guild of Shadows out of business!

Hot resentment poured into my veins at my friend for not freeing me when she restored Blaze’s powers, removed Talon’s curse, and brought Gable’s brother back to life. I must not have been high on the priority list compared to her boyfriends.

Luna must have read it in my face and twisted back to me, claiming my hand. “I didn’t forget you, bestie. I asked for your freedom, but for some reason, it wasn’t granted, and…”

Why not? Was I being punished by some divine power? The dark block of bitterness in my chest melted because she included me in her wishes.

Gable took over for her. “You’ve got a different fate now, Covalent Bonds.”

I sniffed again at him for trying to make me feel better.

“You’re needed in the Guardians for some higher purpose that will become apparent soon.” Gable’s cheeky smirk lifted my spirits. “And I’m not just talking about the chemistry with your men.”

“Stop it!” I went to hit him, and he chuckled and leaped out of the way.

Luna giggled at us.

When I came back, Raze kept up his doting brushing of my hair, and my heart lightened.

If it weren’t for my time in the Guardians, I wouldn’t have met or fallen in love with four very special men. I reasoned with myself that if Luna’s wish worked, I wouldn’t have them in my life.

“Thank you for trying, bestie.” I swiped at my nose, and Luna smiled solemnly.

“Oh, I forgot.” She dashed away to collect the bulging bags she and Gable brought with them, hauling them to the kitchen. “We stocked up on goodies for you both on the way, which is why we were late.”

She unzipped the front panel of the first bag, tipped it up, and packets of food spilled out. Beef jerky, Timtams, candy, hot chocolate sachets, cake fingers, and biscuits. My stomach rumbled, since we had barely been fed or given water.

Luna pushed the jerky in Raze’s direction. “For you, big guy.”

He rumbled his appreciation and tore open the packet, throwing a few slices back and chewing them.

“For you, bestie.” She nudged everything else in my direction.

“Favoritism. I got kidnapped by vampires to help you.” Raze snatched two packets of cookies and hugged them like a possessive wolf, surprising me that he didn’t throw them out when he despised sugary treats.

“Don’t listen to him, bestie.” I laughed and stretched over the rest of the pile, guarding my turf. “Mine,” I growled at him, and we both broke into a laugh. It felt good to smile after everything.

“I grabbed you a collection of clothing.” Luna pushed the second bag at me. “Challenger brand exercise clothing.”

Ohh, my fave. I wore it all the time for comfort during study sessions.

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