Page 44 of Cursed Love
“Rye, it’s so weird. It didn’t feel like a dream, more like a visit.”
Ryan nodded. “I’ve heard of the dead warning the living, but you’re the first person I’ve ever known to experience it.”
“Wait,” Ethan whispered and pushed to his feet. He raised a finger to the air and paced the expanse of the cabin’s living room. “You’re saying I’m a witch?” he asked. She expected his mind was trying to wrap around the information bomb she had dropped on his lap.
“Yes, and so are Ryan and I.”
“What’s he?” Ethan asked, pointing at Peter.
“Sexy as fuck,” Peter said smoothly, making her chuckle and shake her head at her new friend.
Ryan scooted forward on the couch. “Let’s not worry about Peter for now. He’s full of himself as it is. Did she say anything else?”
She lowered her eyes. “I asked her about you…”
The room stilled at her whispered words. After a moment, he squeezed her tightly. “And?”
“And she told me I couldn’t escape my fate.”
For the next hour, they discussed all the things that had happened since her birthday dinner, a party Ethan had missed because he was out of town. She learned he had been struggling to see her since that fateful night. Swamped with work, he had not checked in much on any of them. The couple of times he had seen Brandy, it was enough to know she finally left Greg, was sick, and then nothing.
“How long have you been able to see stuff? Why didn’t you ever tell us?”
Ethan ran a hand through his hair. “Bran, I can’t always turn this on. It’s strange how I can tune in, and frankly, I didn’t believe it myself and I was living it. Some days, images come in clearly, while other days not so much. I didn’t really worry about you for this reason, not until I got nothing. I couldn’t even see a grainy image. Normally I can work out a blurry vision of sorts, but suddenly I was disconnected from you. I freaked out, and that’s when I called,” Ethan told her.
She nodded, understanding some the emotions he must have experienced with his visions. After things started moving around, she could not wrap her mind around the possibility she was to blame for it all. Ethan did not have anyone else to guide him through the process.
“So how do you come into play in all of this?” Ethan asked Ryan, pulling her thoughts back into place.
Ryan linked their fingers. “She’s my soul mate.”
“That doesn’t make you engaged. I don’t see a ring on her finger either,” Ethan stated, his big brother voice in place.
“E—”
“It’s fine, sweetheart. He loves you and is trying to make sure you’re okay,” Ryan told her. He reached in his pocket and set a small box on the table, making her gasp. “I asked, but she’s not ready. Until she is, would you mind holding on to this for me?”
Ethan grabbed the box and opened it. From her seat, she could not see the ring. When she thought to move, Ethan shut it and slipped it into his pocket. He nodded at Ryan, and the conversation moved along like the exchange had never happened.
Brandy missed most of what was said as she stared at the spot on the table where Ryan had put the box. She did not know there was a ring. He had not pulled it out when he got down on one knee.
Peter stiffened next to her, drawing her from her thoughts. “I’m going for a run,” he announced, sharing a look with Ryan.
Ethan moved to the seat Peter vacated, but when Ethan sat, he froze, his eyes wide as he stared in the direction Peter went. “What the hell is he?”
Looking out the window, she laughed at the sight of Peter’s fluffy tail as he ran away. “Werewolf. Would you like to see the family grimoire?”
She did not blink at how comfortable it was to transition from one absurd topic to the other. Weeks ago, neither had existed in her life, but her time at the cabin had allowed her to find some semblance of peace with the two. It was the rest she was trying to figure out.
Ethan gave her a slow nod as he whispered, “Werewolf.”
After showing him to the room, she removed the charm she had learned to keep the book hidden.
Ryan stopped her at the door and kissed her temple. “I’ll let you two have some time together to catch up. I’m going to head out and check those wards again.”
Placing a hand on his arm, she whispered, “Be careful.”
Ryan nodded and gave Ethan a quick glance before turning on his heel. Brandy shut the door and walked to the dresser. Bending, she opened the second from the last drawer and removed the normal-looking, leather-bound book.
