Page 167 of Fated to the Hunters
“It probably has, which is why certain families have retained their magic blood, but I don’t believe Ezra’s families agrees with mixing outside magic with theirs.”
“So, they might reject him because of me.”
“Hehasrejected them, Scarlett. He couldn’t care less for what they think of your union with him.”
Scarlett sighed, chomping another bite out of her sandwich. “I know.”
“We care about you. That is all that matters to us: you and your wellbeing.”
“Would you be willing to meet my family if they allow it?”
“I would and I will keep the peace too.”
Instead of a verbal answer, Scarlett offered Vince an appreciative smile and they fell silent again, cruising after Ezra as he led them off the highway and into the mountains. After a while, they drove onto a private and gravel road, passing a gate that Ezra opened by adding a drop of blood to the lock. Once they passed, he closed the gate, then walked over and opened Scarlett’s door.
While he warned Vince that the road could get rather treacherous, Scarlett ran her fingers through his hair. Before he returned to his own vehicle, Ezra pulled her into a kiss seemingly needing it to deal with his emotions.
As Ezra promised, the road ahead was rather frightening. The edges of the cliffs were too close for her liking, so Scarlett tried to focus on anything but the drive, keeping her eyes closed.
After what felt like hours, they passed through an opening in the mountain, a dark tunnel stretching out ahead of them. Vincedrove slowly as he waited for the curve that Ezra had warned him about. When Ezra’s truck disappeared around it, Scarlett held her breath until they saw them again at the end of the tunnel. She only relaxed, releasing the breath she’d been holding when a small, woodsy village came into view.
They parked next to the other truck and the second the engine was off, Ezra had the door opened and took her hand to help her out.
“Stay with me,” he demanded sternly as he leaned down to kiss her temple. “You’re not leaving our side.”
Scarlett had no arguments there. “I won’t.”
Ezra hadn’t talked much about the village, but Vince had said that he distrusted many witches here.
“Ezra, what a pleasure to see you here again.” Scarlett turned, seeing an elderly woman with long, chocolate brown hair approach. Her silver jewellery glistened in the sunlight, shimmering over her hands, wrists, and neck. “It has been too long.”
“Moura, the village elder, though not because of her age,” Ezra explained, approaching the woman with a tight grip on Scarlett’s hand. “Moura,” he said in a rather bored tone, gazing over the village. “Nothing has changed around here.”
“I will take that as a compliment.”
“As you wish.”
“To what do we owe the pleasure?”
Ezra came to a stop. She spread her arms wide and hugged him, though he didn’t return the embrace. When she noticed his intense glare, Moura didn’t even dare to try it with Scarlett. “We’ve been hunting.”
“And you are willing to share.”
“I don’t share, I sell.”
“Ah, yes—you’ve always been a man to use his words precisely. I’m sure we can make a deal.” Her curious gaze travelled over theothers. “I don’t think I’ve been introduced to any of your travel companions.”
Still rather bored, Ezra indicated the other two men, who stepped closer. “Mateo and Vince will be leading the negotiations while Scarlett stays with me.”
“After you, Moura,” Mateo offered with his usual congeniality, gesturing for her to lead the way.
Before driving off, Ezra had advised them not to drink anything they were given. Mateo had confirmed that there had been hunters leaving with rather small sums for their prey after drinking tea with witches.
Scarlett held a tight grip on Ezra’s hand as she admired the village, the feeling of the mountains surrounding them rather intimidating. Though the village was small, wooden cabins had enough space to spread unevenly. Windchimes tinkled in the light breeze. When she took a closer look, she realised that the windchimes were made out ofbones. Skulls and salt circles also seemed very fashionable.
“What does the salt do?” she asked, leaning into Ezra.
“It keeps bad spirits away.” Scarlett turned to the new voice who had just spoken to them. The woman’s dark hair flowed past her hips and just like Moura, she was covered in silver. The witch looked familiar, but in a way that Scarlett couldn’t quite place.
