Page 65 of A Touch Enchanted

There were a few people drinking at the iron tables set up outside, but without tourists, it was still relatively empty and deserted. The sun shone brightly overhead. I still felt a chill, though. Like we were all living under a shadow now.

I pulled Brooke aside. “Donovan tried to reach Cole, but he might not make it.”

Her gray eyes widened. “What’s going on?”

I filled her in on everything that had happened when we went down into the cave, and after we jumped in the river, and then what we had to get through to make it back to land. She wanted to come with, even if Cole didn’t show up, and I hated telling her no. If she couldn’t access her magic, we’d have our hands that much fuller trying to keep her safe. She understood, but I could still tell it bothered her. Once again, I cursed Cole for being so damn stubborn.

“Kenna isn’t going to want to do this,” Galen said.

“I don’t give a fuck about anyone’s wants.” Donovan pulled open the door to Leo’s and marched us inside. “Our brothers are trapped in the cave that held the curse and the forest is currently filling with smoke. We need to move now.”

I put a hand on Donovan’s chest to stop him from going in there like a raging bull. That wouldn’t assist in motivating Kenna at all. “Let me talk to her first.”

He ground his teeth together, but relented. “Five minutes. If she’s not ready to go by then, Galen will pick her up and carry her into the woods.”

Galen adjusted his wire-frame glasses. “I didn’t agree to that.”

The two of them trailed behind me as they hammered out the details, while I approached Kenna. She had her shoulders squared and her spine stiffened. She knew exactly why we were here. Whether she had already heard from the prying ears at the credit union, or just guessed, it didn’t matter. She looked prepared to argue and we didn’t have time for it.

“I’m not going to waste breath asking,” I said. “I’m going to tell you I need you to come with us. Wes, Audrey, Finn, and Thora are trapped in the cave at the center of the island. Donovan and I can’t get through the forest without your fire.”

“I didn’t ask for this.” Her face paled. “I don’t even know how to use it.”

“You’re going to have to figure it out on the way up there.” I laid a hand on her arm, my expression set and unmoving. “You’re our only hope right now.”

Kenna knew me. She knew I wouldn’t ask this of her if it wasn’t serious. I’d tried to talk to her about magic multiple times before this and never once pushed her. I only pushed now because I had to. Because I didn’t want Galen carrying her out of the bar. I still wanted it to be her choice. To have the chance we’d all had to explore and discover our magic because we wanted to, not because our partners forced our hand.

After a beat of hesitation, her shoulders slumped. “I’m going to regret this.”

“Probably.” I pulled her into a little twirl that got my first smile from her. “If you start to feel unbelievably horny, just know it’s the magic.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” She glanced to where Galen had knocked over a napkin holder and was now scooping dozens of napkins off the floor. “I think I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

My side effects didn’t get as bad as Audrey’s had because I already had an emotional connection to Donovan. And Audrey didn’t really hate Wes like she wanted to. Kenna and Galen actually hated each other. The side effects would hit them hardest because they had no emotional connection whatsoever, but I’d already issued my warning. I’d done my part.

Kenna stormed ahead of us. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

She locked up and let everyone know the bar was temporarily closed, and if they wanted to drink they could buy beer from Constellations and still sit at her tables. Brooke decided to stay in case Cole showed up and I squeezed her hand before we left, letting her know how much I appreciated that she was trying, even with a shitty partner.

We took the trail directly across the street into the woods. The moment the leaves enfolded us, cutting us off from the rest of town, the feeling in the air changed. It became heavier, more weighted with the pain and misery the curse carried like a badge of honor. Kenna stayed close to me, careful not to touch Galen.

“Maybe you should try practicing now,” I said. “Just bump pinkies or something.”

She gave me a bland stare. “I’m here. Please let that be enough for now.”

“Okay, but if a fifteen-foot snake comes at us again, you’re going to wish you’d at least tried to wield that fire beforehand.”

She let out an annoyed huff and approached Galen. “Let me touch your pinkie.”

While it seemed like an innocent request, her tone sounded like she was asking him to whip out his dick while she held a pair of hedge clippers. So it was no wonder he pulled his hand out of her reach. She just rolled her eyes and stomped away.

“I tried,” she said. “Are you happy?”

“Delighted,” I deadpanned.

Donovan and I had sent a couple of birds ahead of us to be lookouts, and my heart leaped to my throat as they came racing back to us at full speed. “Dark wall is coming.”

---