Page 12 of Captivating Magic

Ebba, the last to recover, shifted to stare at Castor. “You were there? Why don’t I remember you?”

“You were barely conscious, love, and then you weren’t. I’d be surprised if youdidremember me.”

“But…” She shook her head. “How? Where did you come from?”

Dipping his head toward Alastair, he said, “Those woods border his estate.”

“That doesn’t explain why you were there,” Lo stated in a hard voice. “Or why you didn’t say something before.”

“Calm down, Raging Ralph, and I’ll tell you.” Castor didn’t quite roll his eyes, but his annoyed vibe was a living thing.

Spirit Ebba laughed from her seat behind him, but other than giving her a narrow-eyed glare, Lo didn’t respond to her pointed amusement.

“Today, junior,” he growled at Castor.

Ignoring him, the other man met Alastair’s curious gaze. “You remember, Al. It was about five or six months ago now. What started out as an evening run turned into a rescue mission.I told you about the accident I’d witnessed that night when I returned.”

Alastair’s sapphire eyes turned solemn as they shifted to Ebba. “I do remember, and I’m sorry for your trials, Ms. James.”

When Lo would’ve bombarded Castor with questions, the other man held up a hand. “Like I said, I was out for a run. As I rounded a bend on the path, I heard tires squeal and the vehicle impact against the tree. The second I realized what happened, I rushed to help.”

“What did you do?” she asked.

“I could instantly see you were mortal, but you weren’t breathing. Normally, I’d let nature take its course, but I was caught by your loveliness and an overwhelming urgency to help you.”

“That was me egging him on,” Spirit Ebba said when Castor paused to smile at her physical self. “I had the oddest feeling I shouldn’t move on.”

Other than to send her an acknowledging nod, Lo didn’t reply.

“Why wouldn’t you help someone if you could?” Ebba asked, confusion clouding her eyes and her mouth dipping at the corners.

Call him petty, but Laszlo loved that she’d consider it a mark against Castor that he wasn’t inclined to help a person, regardless of status. Remaining quiet, he gave the other man enough room to hang himself.

“The Goddess. The Fates.” Castor shrugged and sent her a considering look. Seeing she didn’t understand his simple explanation, he elaborated. “As mortals, people follow their faith, whether that be the Almighty God from the Bible, Allah, Hindu Gods and Goddesses, or the like. If atheist, they don’t feel the need to be accountable to anyone but themselves. But as magical beings, we are subjected to a different set of rules.”

“And ye harm none, do what ye will,” Alastair said.

“I don’t know what that means.” Ebba glanced at Lo for an answer, and warmth spread through his chest that she trusted him enough to seek his counsel.

Lacing his fingers through hers, he said, “Do what you will as long as you don’t hurt another. It’s a witch’s creed. We’re brought up to respect and value life, but we’re also taught not to displease the Fates, Gods, or Goddesses. It has repercussions if we do.”

“Why would they be displeased if you save a… mortal?” She grimaced as she said it, likely still trying to wrap her mind around what she’d learned today.

“The Fates might have other plans for you or whomever you were with at that moment. By saving you, Castor may have put a target on his back,” Alastair said with a reproachful glance at his friend. The cheeky bastard simply grinned.

“So it’s why you left Spencer to die?” she snapped at Castor.

Compassion filled his visage, and he shook his head. “No, love. I stabilized him, too, before calling for an ambulance. However, like I said, you weren’t breathing, so you were the number-one priority. By the time I revived you, the ambulance had arrived and taken your friend away.”

A good amount of her anger died away, but she still squeezed Lo’s hand as if it were a lifeline.

“Thank you,” she said. “I should be more grateful, especially since you’ll likely get in trouble on my behalf.”

“I haven’t been called to task yet, but despite the severity of any punishment meted out, I’d do it again,” Castor assured her warmly. “You could pay me back by having dinner with me.”

“Not gonna happen,” Lo replied on her behalf.

“You really should let the lady speak for herself, boyo. No one likes to be told what to do.”

---