Page 20 of Witch Unbound
His gaze shot up to meet mine, then he let out a soft chuckle. “You don’t pull your punches, do you? I guess that’s what I like most about you.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“You’re important to me, Cora. I care about you a great deal, but that’s all.”
He sounded and looked sincere.
I grinned. “Good, because I can’t have you all moony-eyed around me.”
He arched a brow. “I think you have enough of that, don’t you?”
I sniffed and looked mock-offended. “Tor, Leif, and Rune don’t make moony eyes, they’re much too macho for that.”
“And I’m not?” There was humor in his tone.
Our gazes locked and another understanding passed between us, an unspoken agreement that evoked a feeling of nostalgia I couldn’t explain.
I cleared my throat, ready to deflect. “How’s the hunt going?”
His smile told me he knew what I was doing. “Slow. No sign of him. No reports of ice walkers. It’s like he vanished into thin air.”
“Cora!” Bramble rounded the corner, all purple hair and clompy boots. “Elijah.” She looked between us. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, we’re fine,” Elijah said. “I best get back to work. Call me if you need help with thatproblemyou won’t tell me about.” He gave me a pointed look.
“What problem?” Bramble asked.
But I was busy watching Elijah walk away.
“Don’t go there.” Bramble gently gripped my chin and turned my head to face her. “Bad idea.”
I didn’t bother playing. “I won’t. He’s a warlock, I’m a witch. We’re just friends.”
“Not like it hasn’t been done before.”
“What do you mean? I thought it wasforbidden.” I widened my eyes to emphasize the final word.
She pressed her lips together. “When has that stopped people from pushing boundaries. Look, it’s not common knowledge, but you know me, I dig, and I find shit out. Elijah’s parents were witch and warlock.”
“Wait, what?”
“Yeah, they were executed for their crime of being together, but Elijah was spared because he was an innocent. An abomination but innocent. The coven claimed him even though the conflagration of warlocks his father belonged to wanted him.” Her mouth turned down slightly. “Elijah won’t make the same mistakes as his parents.”
I’d known that witches and warlocks weren’t allowed to be together, but I’d had no idea the punishment was death. There was an attraction between Elijah and me, no denying that, but that’s how it would stay. I would never let it be any more than that. Attractions came and went, but good friends were for life.
“So.” Bramble nudged me. “Why are you back early? And what problem was Elijah talking about?”
“I’m about to see Anna about that, so come with, and that way I only have to tell the story once.”
She rubbed her hands together. “Intriguing.”
* * *
Anna wassilent as I relayed what had happened on my retreat with the guys. She listened without interruption, but I could almost feel Bramble ready to explode with questions in the seat beside me.
I hurried to the end of the account and delivered the bomb. “And then the entity said she wanted me to free Croatoan.”
Anna flinched, stunned, but Bramble’s reaction was slightly more explosive.
