Page 71 of Enspelled

Or shutting me out.

“Briar, get up,” I snap.

“No.”

Why she’s chosen now to be stubborn, I have no fucking clue, but we don’t have time for it.

After stalking across the cabin, I lean over her, meeting her eye. “Get up.”

She doesn’t even blink. “I said no.”

Is this because of the wolf souls? Have they already changed her?

“Because you’d rather stay with Liam?” I ask.

Silence.

“Briar?”

“I heard you. I’ve just decided it’s in both of our interests if I don’t say what I want to say.”

“And what do you want to say?”

“Just go, Keane. I think it’s best that you just go your own way, and I—”

“Continue to fuck Liam Wolfe in the dead of night, when no one is around to see?” My voice emerges harder than I’d intended.

And bitter.

I wait for her to lash me with her power, but all she does is turn to face the wall. “Please, just leave.”

For a long moment, I study her. “I see. So you would’ve rather had Diana Calla blow you up as well? Is that the reason for this—”

She sits up so fast that we nearly crack our heads together. As it is, Ijustevade her. “I swear, if you call it a sulk or me being emotional or whatever thing you’re about to accuse me of.Don’t.”

“You know what? We don’t have time for this.” I scoop her from the bed, toss her over my shoulder, and head for the cabin door.

“Put me down,” she snarls, sounding more wolf-like than Briar-like.

“Or?” I shove the door open and set off at a fast jog. I don’t know how long the wolves will be gone, but from the dim sky peeking between the trees, I’m guessing it’s lunchtime and they figure I won’t run.

Or Liam has called them inside to give his girlfriend a chance to escape.

Briar doesn’t speak, and as I jog through the forest, one arm holding her securely against my shoulder, I think about Mara’s spell.

Any time Briar is angry or afraid, she either hits someone with her power or shifts. The bruise around her throat makes it clear that neither happened this time. Both gifts failed her, and in my gut, I know it’s because of the stone.

But she’s no longer wearing the sweatpants with the stone in the pocket.

So why isn’t she shifting now?

Several minutes later, long past the point I’d expected someone to come after us, I slow and eventually stop, figuring being bounced around on my shoulder can’t be good for Briar’s stomach.

And she’s been quiet.

Too quiet.

Gripping her by her hips, I ease her down to her feet and look into her face.

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