Page 49 of Cursed Love
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Peter refused to let them leave until after another perimeter run. In the meantime, Ryan finally taught her the spell to keep them hidden in plain sight. He hoped it was not one too many spells for her to remember in the short period of time.
After Peter’s return, Ryan left to remove the wards. The problem was that a ward was like a fingerprint. Any supernatural being or witch would sense the remnants of its magic.
He started with the farthest ones and worked his way in, constantly aware of Brandy’s state. The need to be at her side was almost overwhelming.
“How long does the print stay?” Brandy asked when he came back.
“Mine? Probably three to five days.”
“What would make it go away?” she asked, her eyes so bright he could see the wheels of her mind turning.
“A rainstorm or windstorm would disperse it, but I don’t have that kind of magic,” Ryan told her and cocked his head. “What are you thinking?”
She looked down at her bag before meeting his eyes. “Do you mind if I try something?”
The men shared a glance and shrugged. Brandy walked out the sliding door, and they followed her into the meadow where they had made love. He smiled when her gaze paused at the large oak that would always hold a special place in their hearts.
Brandy kneeled and touched the damp ground. Her lids fluttered closed and no one spoke, curious as to what she planned to try. The air around them shuddered, and a breeze blew wisps of hair across her face.
She lifted her face to the sky, and he could feel a calm wash over her. The magic in the air crackled and surged as he watched the strong woman before him. Lost in his awe, he did not notice the sky grow dark around them.
One droplet and then two fell before they were soon soaked through. His eyes grew large, and his lips parted in amazement. Lightning and thunder shook the earth around them, but no one dared move from their spots. After ten minutes of heavy showers, Ryan heard her thank the goddess for letting her control the rain and then she called upon the wind.
Spinning in a circle, Brandy raised her arms to her sides. The wind picked up until she stopped and clapped her hands once. A huge gust blew through the trees in each direction around them, pushing both Ryan and Peter back a step.
His surprise was short lived as Brandy’s body shook, and his stomach clenched. Setting aside his excitement over the extraordinary power she wielded, he darted forward as Brandy’s knees buckled. He scooped her into his arms before she hit the ground, and he held her against his pounding heart.
“Brandy!” Ryan shouted. His heart seized as he held her limp, cold body, and tears slid from his eyes. “Damn it, Brandy!”
Peter drew near, his eyes holding a familiar glow. “Quiet,” he ordered.
Biting down on his lip, Ryan choked back his emotion. Instead he focused on his best friend as he leaned forward. Peter’s nostrils flared before a gush of air was released. “What?” Ryan whimpered.
“I can hear her heart… It’s weak, but I hear it. I can also smell the air she’s exhaling.” Peter gently laid his beefy hand on her brow. “She’s too cold. Can you whip up something?”
Ryan released a shaky breath and nodded. After lowering her to the ground, he adjusted and placed his hand on her cheek before closing his eyes. Muttering a spell under his breath, he transferred his heat to her.
“That’s enough!” Peter growled, ripping Ryan’s hand off her. “I don’t need both of you down.” He felt her skin and nodded. “That’ll do until she can heal.”
Ryan pulled her into his arms and rocked. A tremble of fear rolled through him. He sensed Peter rise to his feet before jogging toward the cabin without a word. Taking in her face, Ryan noted the way her lashes fanned across her soft skin. Lowering his mouth toward hers, he whispered, “Rest, sweetheart. I’ll keep you safe.”
Peter returned with a thick blanket. “Here. Wrap her up. We need to get out of here.” His eyes glowed as he scanned the forest around them. The silence was deafening, but Ryan knew Peter’s hearing was far superior to his own.
With his friend’s help, he stood, doing his best not to jostle her. They moved to the car, and he slipped into the back seat while Peter tossed their bags in the trunk. Within minutes, they were on the road, driving in silence as they each processed the events of the last hour.
Peter met Ryan’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “She’s fucking powerful.”
Ryan studied her sleeping form. “She’s amazing.”
“I’ve never heard of anything like that,” Peter told him.
She had cleared the forest of any trace of his magic, while only leaving the tiniest spark of her own.
“Never in my wildest dreams,” Ryan replied. Now that color had returned to her cheeks, he found himself growing angry. He was pissed she had put herself in danger, and he refused to let her risk herself like that again. His own body was tired from the energy transfer he’d performed. If not for Peter stopping him, there was no telling how far he would have gone for her.
“Do you think she realizes how special she is?” Peter asked.
