Page 76 of Fated to the Hunters
“Would you be able to change them if you did?”
“Spells and runes are not carved in stone, so to speak. Though you can’t change the runes themselves, the meaning of the spell may change.” When she looked at him rather lost, he explained, “Say you were to carve a rune for success, but that’s subjective. One might find success in money while someone else might take that as a big, happy family.”
“So, someone who struggles with health might find survival successful.”
“Exactly. Health is also a very tricky one. If you lost an arm or leg would you still consider yourself healthy? Or would you only see a person as healthy if their body was intact?”
“If your vision or intent for the spell changes, is that enough to make a difference in the outcome?”
“No one really knows. Some might even say loose spells like health alone don’t change any outcome, while others believe it gives them some sense of protection. Magic is no specific science, especially nowadays.”
“But it does work, because how else would your charm find mine.”
“That’s right. Magic has changed a lot from before the witch hunts. It’s harder to see, and even harder to prove its capabilities. My ancestors used to be able to send an object across the room with a single look, or stop a heart with the flick of a finger.”
Scarlett shuddered in Ezra’s arms, but she didn’t pull away from him. “So, spells that can actually be proven, such as the bracelet, are easier to verify.”
“Exactly. It’s the same with my eyes. I can clearly see better than the average human in the dark, but spells like luck, health, happiness are harder to prove.”
“Because their range is so unimaginably large.”
An involuntary smile curved Ezra’s lips, his heart swelling at the fact that she could come to her own conclusions. “Yes.”
The conversation lulled, but he didn’t mind. Scarlett’s left hand still held his, while her right began tracing over his skin once more. It was as if she aimed to map out every single part of him and commit it to memory. He curled his fingers in the small of her back and danced over her skin and spine.
“Scarlett?”
She peered up through her lashes, tilting her head curiously.
“Was Mateo the first to touch you?”
A sly smile swept over her lips as she shook her head. “No.”
“Kurt?”
“Not even close.”
“Tell me, princess.”
“Maybe you should use the magic word.”
“Please,” he said without hesitation, ignoring the trace of a whine in his tone. “Please, little princess, tell me.”
“Are you going to track him down and get rid of him?” Ezra paused, apparently too long because Scarlett continued to speak. “You’ve been with other women. Would you want me to hunt them down because of it?”
Ezra shrugged, nonchalantly. “Sounds fun.”
“Not the point, Ezra,” she scolded, laughing nonetheless. “If you promise me not to go out and hurt anyone because they brushed against me on the sidewalk once, I will tell you.”
“I promise.”
“One time, Kurt paired up with Maximilian to convince my father to let me out. Kurt took me to meet some of his friends from the public school. There was a guy there that caught my attention. He was sweet and even though he didn’t understand everything, he knew I had a very overprotective father. We only talked when I was out with Kurt, but every time we picked up right where we left off. Eventually, we slipped away and that’s when he gave me my first kiss.”
“What about your virginity?”
A deep pink blush crept up Scarlett’s cheeks and she ducked her head. “That happened a different night.”
“Did he hurt you?”
