Page 65 of Hunted By Wolves and Shadow
“Well you’ll have to do it from now on,” I informed her.
Jade’s jaw dropped at my unprecedented audacity. Strawberry blonde hair framed pretty blue-green eyes that hardened in shock. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I won’t be doing the shopping anymore.”
“Oh yes you will. It’s your job.”
My stomach clenched with the familiar pain of disappointing Jade, usually followed by that eager need to make it up to her. The desire to please her always felt like love, but I recognized the warmth for what it was now.
Magic. Manipulation.
“Actually, it’s not. I’m just the one who always did it. But no more.” I descended on my sister, sudsy water dripping from my hands. It brought me grim satisfaction when she backed away, looking as if her favorite record had suddenly begun to play unfamiliar music. With my nose nearly pressed to hers, I hissed, “What was your wish, Jade? What magic did you awaken?”
She recovered from her surprise remarkably quickly. Jade wasn’t used to anyone standing up to her. “Is that what this foul mood is about?” She giggled without mirth. “Oh, sister dearest, did you just figure out magic? Oh, this is precious.”
“What. Magic. Did. You. Wish. For?”
Jade shoved a finger against my chest. “You know, you have to be careful what you wish for, sister. A witch's wish has a price, Emi. Magic always has a cost,” she sing-songed.
“And what did yours cost?” I already felt like I knew the answer.
“That's the beauty. I was very specific. Mother told me that the more you limit your wish, the lower the cost.” Jade smirked.
It burned in me. All this time, she’d known. Our mother had told my older sister about being a witch and wishing for magic, the costs and how to do it. Jade had shared none of it with me, her own sister. And our mother? She hadn’t stayed to tell me, either.
Jade picked up one of my treacle tarts without asking and examined it. “See, all I wished for was one thing—to get whatever I wanted. Don’t you see my genius? I wished to always get exactly what I want and since part of that was magic, I got it. I’m probably the only witch to get her magic for free because of that.” She took a luscious bite of the tart. Good, let her have it.
Despite my suspicions about Jade’s magic, having them confirmed was a punch to the gut. Of all the selfish, terrible, greedy things, this took the prize. My sister, my blood, my family, had used her one wish to get her way. She wanted to be the favoured daughter, so she took all our father’s attention. She wanted pretty dresses and handsome suitors, invitations to all the best events, all the friends she desired…so I was left on the outsides, unwanted lest I take anything from her. Jade wanted to be the centre of attention, so I was ignored, left with her otherbroken and forgotten things. Every whim and want, Jade took as easily as breathing. She thought of no one but herself.
It might not be curse magic, but she was the same as Grandma Ruby.
“Oh don’t make that sour face, Emi. It’s not my fault you didn’t think of it.”
“Is that why you think I’m upset? I’m not jealous of you, Jade. I’m ashamed.”
“Oh come on, you don’t need to be ashamed. You’re good at other things. These tarts are delicious, so there’s one thing.”
“I’m not ashamed of me, you clouded ninny. I was, but not anymore. You made me feel that way all our lives. You made me think it was my fault mother left and made me think I owed you everything to make up for that, but it was your magic all along. You manipulate people. You take and take and expect me to be grateful to you in return. I’m done, Jade.”
I wanted to scream and rage, but there was no point. If I’d learned anything at the enclave and from spending time with Wolf, it was that people who loved each other lifted one another up. They didn’t undermine or guilt trip and manipulate you. I was never going to find that here, because magic had corrupted my sister, driven out my mother, and stolen my father. There was nothing left for me here.
“Don’t be ridiculous. My magic gets us all our nice things. You should be thanking me. Where are you going?” Jade stomped her foot.
I almost laughed, but just gathered my recipe box full of my lovingly hand-penned recipes. “Far from you, sister. I’d rather do honest work on my own than live under your magic’s thumb any longer.”
Everything in me longed for Wolf.
I wanted the comfort of his arms around me. I wanted the softness of his eyes on me. I wanted the heat of his kisses and thepassion of his lust. But mostly, I wanted the way he made me feel about myself.
I liked myself better around him. This version who was bitter and angry wasn’t who I wanted to be. Forcing Jade to change, even if I could, wouldn’t repair me the way one fond word from Wolf did. I would never be as relaxed as I was laughing over Wolf’s teasing. Gaining my father’s attention would never feel as good as earning Wolf’s proud smile when I mastered a new skill, or knowing I had his trust when I used my magic.
Nothing would feel as good as finding my own pride and confidence.
That was love.
Oh,blue skies! It struck me all at once, and I knew. Iknew.
It was love I’d seen in that silver gaze under the clear cerulean sky.
