Page 71 of Cursed Love
“What? Did you see something?”
Studying Ryan’s faint threads of magic, she nodded her head before peering up at Peter. “I saw him sneaking past you. He said…”
“You saw him? Like a vision or something? What did he say?”
Brandy looked away and stared into the distance. “I don’t think it was a vision… More like an imprint maybe? He said he knew you’d keep us safe.”
Peter rubbed the back of his neck, a growl vibrating through his chest. “What have you done, Ryan?”
Before either could speak more on the matter, Ethan’s voice came through the phone, angry, worried, and annoyed. Her eyes met Peter’s as he raised the phone to his ear. Peter pulled her into his side, and she slumped into his comforting embrace.
If she had thought her life was complicated before, Ryan’s disappearing act proved otherwise. Frustrated and fearful tears spilled down her cheeks. A thousand questions swirled through her mind. Where had he gone? Why hadn’t he told them? Was he—No, she couldn’t think that again.
“I don’t know what she did, but we can see remnants of his magic. I don’t know how to explain it, but she touched it and me and saw something. Oh yeah, that would be great. See if she knows if this has to do with Rye’s magic or their bond.”
Brandy’s brows drew together. “See ifwhoknows?”
Peter glanced down. “Ethan just made it to Serena’s.”
Remembering what Ryan had told her the night before, her stomach dropped with fear. “Is he okay? Ryan said they’d been attacked on the way over last night.”
She listened as Peter spoke to her brother, his body stilling against hers. She had not needed another brother in her life, yet Peter had filled the role. He was another overprotective goofball who refused to leave her side. Her lips tipped at the realization.
When she had first met him, she was confused about Peter and Ryan’s friendship. After all, Ryan warned her to be cautious around werewolves, and there he was vouching for one. It did not take long to see why Peter was the exception.
“He says he’s fine and to quit worrying,” Peter said, breaking into her thoughts.
“Never.” She laughed, then sobered. “Have him ask her why I can’t communicate with Rye.”
She rubbed her eyes, tired of all the tears. Her skin tingled with her magic, like a muscle tensing at her stress.
Peter squeezed her knee and offered her his phone. “She wants to talk to you.”
Brandy accepted it, but instead of setting it to her ear, she pushed the speaker button. “Hello?”
“Hey,” Serena’s melodic voice said. “Tell me everything that’s happened.”
She nodded before remembering Serena could not see it. Starting from the moment she woke up alone in bed until the last few minutes, she retold every magical detail she could. It felt odd trusting this woman, one who had shared a bed with Ryan and had shown an instant dislike to Brandy.
“All right, first things first, the good news is he’s not dead.”
Placing a hand on her flat stomach, Brandy thought of their child growing up without him. “How do you know that?” she asked, a tremble in her voice.
Serena cleared her throat. “I’ve never bonded myself, but all the stories passed through the generations say when you lose your mate, you feel gutted. The moment they die, it feels as though someone has stuck you with a hot sharp blade. Since you didn’t describe that, he’s alive.”
Brandy sagged with relief. “Oh.”
“Serena? Could Ryan be keeping her out?” Peter asked.
“I don’t think he can… but someone else could. Brandy?”
“Yeah?”
“I need you to reach out to him. Search the connection, see if you feel anything that doesn’t belong.”
She handed Peter the phone. “Okay.” Leaning back against the cushion, she took a few deep breaths and shut her eyes.“Rye? Ryan?”She searched their connection, noting once again the stillness. Her eyes opened with frustration and met Peter’s. “I can’t do this!” She jumped up from the couch and paced the area in front of him.
“Youcando this, and youwilldo this. If someone is blocking him from you,youneed to find out who.” Peter moved in her path and grabbed her by the shoulders. “I’ve seen you do some un-fucking-believable magic in a short time. This is a walk in the park. You’re a natural. Now shut your eyes and search!” His words ended in a low vibrating growl, his eyes flashing gold.
