The Hunted Soul

by Miranda Brock

  He hesitated, but took the hoodie and put it back on before leaving the car. The cold was more intense up in the mountains, and true to my thoughts, it had been snowing. It continued to snow as we headed up into the forest, the icy wind sending the snow in from the side so it hit against our cheeks.

  I squinted against the onslaught. “Won’t Vehrin sense me coming?”

  Kael managed to walk through the snow silently and with envy-worthy grace. I had to pick up my feet high with every step in the deep snow. “Most likely, but we have to hope he will want you enough to confront us.”

  “Wonderful. I love being bait,” I muttered, more to myself. “Old habits die hard.”

  Huffing out a sharp sigh, Kael grabbed my shoulder and pulled me to a stop. His face was creased with anger, but I could also see the worry in his frown. Was he remembering that I had attempted to sacrifice myself to the mage in an attempt to bind him? Admittedly, the thought had occurred to me, as well. This situation was just too familiar to keep those thoughts from resurfacing.

  A crow cawed somewhere above us, but I was too trapped in Kael’s intense gaze to let it draw my attention.

  “You aren’t bait. You’re not here to sacrifice yourself.” Another crow cawed, quickly followed by a third. Kael shook his head. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

  I put my hand on a cocked hip, and opened my mouth to protest, but the sound of the crows had grown much louder. I glanced up, and my eyes grew round.

  There had to be dozens of the birds. They were sitting on the branches above and around us, with more flying in every second.

  “That’s…” I glanced at Kael, who was watching the birds with suspicion. “That’s weird, right?”

  The trees were growing so heavy with crows, it was a wonder the branches weren’t breaking under the weight.

  I shuffled through the snow and closer to Kael, and as I did, the crows fell silent. Every single one peered at us with eyes white and glittering as the snow at our feet.

  Then, the branches rattled as they began to fly.

  Straight at us.

  Chapter 4

  I’d always liked birds, but at that moment, I cursed every bird on the planet as the flock of crows dove down at us.

  Kael snarled so ferociously as the black wings descended on us that he almost sounded like his jaguar self. I covered my head to protect my face, but their beaks and feet scratched at the backs of my hands.

  “Run!” I started through the snowy forest. Maybe if we got far enough away, they would stop.

  That hope was quickly snuffed out. We’d only managed to get several feet when the attack increased.

  The crows tore at our clothes as they cawed and beat at us with their wings. I could scarcely see where I was going. I was afraid if I took my hands from my face, they would go for my eyes. Never in my life had I seen crows act this viciously before.

  It had to be the mage’s doing.

  A cracking noise sounded beside me, and I peeked from beneath my arms to find Kael had ripped a branch from a tree and was using it to swing at the icy-eyed crows. Small trickles of blood ran down the skin of his arms. Mine likely looked much the same.

  I risked a glance around the forest. Vehrin had to be out here somewhere, controlling the crows, but I saw nothing save for a frenzy of ebony wings and the cold forest.

  Kael let out another yell beside me, thrashing at the persistent crows with his stick. He managed to smack a few down, but more just took their place.

  This didn’t make sense. From what I had seen of Vehrin in our last encounter, he enjoyed watching his adversaries in this sort of struggle. He had stood by and watched Kael and me fight that giant panther and those soldiers of his. Why would he send the crows at us, then disappear? Wouldn’t he have to be here to control them?

  I raised my voice so Kael could hear me over the frenzied cawing of the birds. “I don’t think these crows belong to the mage.”

  My partner took a vicious swing and brought down two crows at once. “Well, they certainly aren’t wild.”

  A painful sting flashed across the back of my hand as a crow latched on. “Ouch!”

  I gritted my teeth. That’s it. My magic warmed through my veins, and I let it curl around my hand. The crow retreated with a surprised squawk. I flung my arm forward and let loose an orb of bright and burning energy.

  As soon as my magic collided with one of the crows, the entire flock disappeared.

  The forest grew quiet. Kael let out a deep sigh and bent over to rest his hands on his knees.

  “Next time, maybe try that first.”

  I glanced up and around, afraid there would be more, but the branches were bare. What the hell had that been about? And who had done it?

  Kael walked over to me, his boots crunching in the snow. Before I could say anything, he took a hold of my chin and tilted my face back and forth.

  “I’m all right,” I said. He was looking for wounds, no doubt. “This was the worst of it.” I held my hand out to show the mark marring my skin from where the crow had latched on.

  He let go of my chin and lifted my hand, inspecting it. “Want me to wrap it?”

  “No.” I shrugged. “I’ve had worse.” I jerked my head toward his arms. “You look like you could use some bandaging.”

  “I’ll be fine. We need to head out before more of them come back.” Kael tilted his head. “Are you sure this wasn’t Vehrin? Seems like too much of a coincidence.”

  I didn’t answer him, at first. Instead, I closed my eyes, magic still writhing through my fingers. I swore I could sense something, though I couldn’t put my finger on what, exactly. One thing was for certain: whatever I was sensing, it definitely wasn’t Vehrin. I would know his vile and destructive aura anywhere.

  “I think it’s someone else.”

  “Someone working for the mage?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know, but”—I adjusted my bag and started through the trees, taking the lead―“whoever or whatever sent those crows this way.”

  Kael hurried to catch up with me. It was disconcerting how quiet and still the forest had grown. Our breaths rose in fine mist in front of our faces as we trekked through the snow. I wiggled my toes in my boots in an attempt to keep them warm. I hated cold weather, and couldn’t help but wish I was in the damp and humid jungles of India with my team.

  I could use my magic to warm myself, like a built-in heater, but I didn’t want to waste energy I may need to use in the event of another attack.

  “How much farther?” Kael asked. His voice was quiet, shoulders tense. The blood on his arms was drying, the scratches and tears slowly healing.

  I could still sense the foreign magic. It wasn’t ancient and wild, like mine, or dark and deadly like Vehrin’s. Whoever it belonged to, it was stronger now.

  “I think we’re getting close.”

  Kael nodded. “Maybe you should get behind—”

  “If you tell me to get behind you, Kael, I swear I’ll stick you head first in the snow and leave you there.”

  He glanced at me, and I wiggled my fingers at him, letting a bit of magic swirl around my hand. He laughed softly and continued on his way. I scowled as he muttered what sounded like “ridiculous stubborn woman.”

  Overprotective shifter.

  From beside me, Kael’s hand smacked back into my chest.

  “Ow! Kael, what the hell?”

  “Ssh!” He held a finger up to his lips and pointed.

  Ahead, the trees opened to a clearing. An adorable little cabin was nestled in the center, looking so much like it was plucked from a fairytale that I half-expected to see Goldilocks sneaking up to it.

  “Do you think bear shifters live there?”

  Kael gave me an odd look. “No, I’d smell them. Why do you say that?”

  I shrugged. “Just a thought.”

  Together, we crept closer through the trees until we were at the edge of the clearing. The door opened, and a woman stepped out.

  As s
oon as my eyes fell on her, I knew she was the one I was sensing. “She sent the crows.”

  “Witch.” Kael spat the word like a foul taste in his mouth.

  Before I could reprimand him for his prejudices, a fierce and sudden wind bore down on us. The ice in the breeze was so intense it took my breath away. Kael grabbed my arm and steadied me as the force of it threatened to knock me over.

  I peered at the woman through squinted eyes. I could barely see her through the flurry of snow the wind was kicking up. Why was she doing this?

  First, the crows, and now this. Clearly, she didn’t want us getting to her cabin. Could she be hiding the mage inside?

  Vehrin was more than capable of taking care of himself, though, so why was she being so defensive?

  I started forward. The earth before me groaned, and a thick spear of ice rushed upward. Kael pulled me back. One step farther and I would have been impaled. I jerked free of Kael’s grip and rushed around the ice. Kael cursed behind me, but I could hear him following as I continued forward. More spears of ice shot from the ground.

  The pair of us darted around the ice and fought through the snow and biting wind. My breath came quick and sharp, the cold freezing my throat. My muscles burned with each step as we tried to close the distance between us and the cabin.

  The cabin?

  I squinted. Where had it gone? I couldn’t see through the wall of snow and ice and wind around us. Pulling in a deep breath, I spread my hands out in front of me.

  My magic seared hot from my veins, and I found myself relishing the sensation. It burned from my hands, unfettered and bent on destruction. The ice and snow before me melted. The wind died down. The way before us cleared, and I found myself staring at the witch standing a mere few feet away.

  Take down the threat, that dark and wild part of me seemed to say. Destroy the ones who stand in your way.

  My brow furrowed, and my magic burned hotter.

  Kael’s hand landed on my shoulder, and squeezed.

  I didn’t turn to him, but I could feel his concerned gaze. I swallowed and let the magic slip back to the shadows.

  My eyes found the witch’s. They were a peculiar silver, icy and cold as the crows had been. The woman glanced behind us, and her fingers knotted on the front of the dark blue dress she was wearing.

  “Who are you?” she asked.

  “Olivia Perez. I’m an archaeologist from Yale.” I was still an archaeologist, despite spending all this time on a magical goose chase. I jerked my head to Kael. “This is Agent Rivera, from PITO.”

  Perhaps we would be able to glean more information from this woman if she knew this was an official, and serious, visit.

  Her lips pursed thoughtfully. They seemed torn, as if she had been chewing on them too hard.

  “Well, what do you want?”

  Kael stepped closer to her. His posture was tall and stiff. I couldn’t help but admire the imposing figure.

  “We’re looking for someone,” he said. “A dark mage.”

  The witch’s left eye twitched. She knew.

  “He was here?” I asked.

  The woman jerked a nod. “He was.”

  “What did he want?” It was clear to me that, though he had been in this area not long before according to Kael’s agency, he was no longer here.

  “Information.”

  Kael’s voice was low. “What kind of information?”

  For a long moment, the witch fixed us with a weighing gaze. “Come inside. We’ll have tea.”

  “No, thank you.” Kael nearly growled the words.

  The witch raised an eyebrow. “You may not freeze to death, shifter, but your pretty companion might.”

  Kael glanced down at me. Now that we weren’t running from crows or magical blizzards, the sweat chilled against my skin under my clothes. I tried to warm myself with my magic, but after that last bout of energy I released, I was exhausted.

  He let out a sharp breath. “Fine.” His golden-brown gaze was sharp on the witch. “But if you try anything…”

  Though his voice trailed off, his threat hung heavy in the air.

  The witch opened the door and led us into the cabin. We were immediately met with a warmth so lovely I couldn’t help but sigh. Kael pulled his stare from the witch as she went through a small doorway that led into a quaint kitchen.

  “Cold?” he asked.

  “Just a bit.”

  Kael cupped his hands around his mouth and breathed into them, then reached down and grabbed my hands. His strong fingers wrapped around my hands, warming them. He was always so gruff that the gentle gesture surprised me.

  “Thanks,” I murmured.

  His hair was wet from the ice and snow we had fought through, and it sent water rolling down his cheek as he lifted his lips into a small smile. “You’re welcome.”

  A throat cleared behind us, and I quickly stepped away from Kael, though I missed the warmth of his hands.

  “My name is Emily,” the witch said. She set down a tray holding three steaming beverages.

  I took my cup eagerly and wrapped my fingers around the warm porcelain. Kael left his on the tray. There were only two chairs around the small coffee table where Emily had set the tray. She sat in one, and Kael gestured for me to sit in the other. I sank into it, and he sat on the arm. He appeared at ease, but I noted the way he was shifted to be able to easily jolt to his feet if the need arose.

  “You are not a witch.” Emily lifted her own cup to her lips and watched me over the brim.

  “I am not.” I offered no further information. I didn’t know this woman, and until I knew if she was a friend or foe, I would keep certain things to myself. “Why did you attack us?”

  The woman’s back went straight. “I’ve had unfortunate encounters with visitors as of late. If you were me, you would understand the caution.”

  “What did the mage want to know?” Kael asked.

  Emily’s startling eyes swept to my partner. “Are you a friend of his?”

  I scoffed. “Absolutely not.” It was my turn to be pinned with an icy stare. “I assure you, Emily, we are the farthest thing from being a friend to Vehrin.”

  She blinked. “You know his name?” She set down her cup. “Interesting.”

  “We know he was here,” I said. “Why?’

  Emily turned to stare into the fireplace spreading warmth around the room. Her hands clenched her knees, and it was then that I noticed her fingers were raw and red, the skin flaking in some places. It was as if they had been…burned.

  “He wanted to know where to find the other key.”

  The other key?

  I turned to Kael, his confused stare fixated on my own. Vehrin already knew I held the two keys. My body went cold, despite the fire and the warm cup in my hands. I turned to the witch and leaned forward.

  “Are you saying there is a third key?”

  Chapter 5

  The cabin had gone quiet. Even the flames licking the logs in the fireplace seemed to be holding their crackling breath. My mind was screaming in protest and frustration. There couldn’t be another key...could there? Emily had to be mistaken.

  The witch finally broke the silence. “What do you mean, third key?” She spoke softly, her words so hushed I almost didn’t catch them.

  I leaned forward to set my cup of steaming tea back on the tray. Slowly, I pulled the pair of keys out from the front of my shirt. Kael was tense beside me as Emily’s gaze locked on the keys. I saw his hand drift toward his side, where I knew he had a pistol holstered.

  Kael didn’t trust the witch, and I really hoped she didn’t do anything to attack me, because my partner would not hesitate to pull that pistol out if she did.

  “Where did you get those?” Emily asked.

  “It doesn’t matter where I got them, just that they are in my possession and not the mage’s.”

  Her eyes narrowed slightly, and it offered more bite and emotion than I had yet to see from the woman. “How old are you?”
<
br />   The question threw me off. “Huh?”

  “Your magic...it’s unusual.” Emily rubbed a hand up her bare arm, as if she could feel my magic on her skin. “It is ancient, nearly as ancient as…as his.” She shuddered and crossed her arms, shrinking in on herself.

  I glanced at her burned fingers again. The supernatural world was still new to me, and I barely knew anything that I hadn’t always believed as myth. Burning witches at the stake used to be a thing, right? Even if the witch hunter were wrong most of the time. Did that mean a touch of fire was disastrous to a witch?

  “What happened here, with the mage?” I asked.

  Emily swallowed and shook her head. “I should have known he would come. I always believed someone would, but I hadn’t expected the likes of him.” Her eyes were round, frantic when she peered back up at us. “He broke through my defenses so easily, so quickly. I didn’t have a chance to escape.”

  “He took a key from here?” Kael asked.

  “No. Not a key. He took information.”

  I leaned forward. “What kind of information?”

  “My lineage has always known the whereabouts of the key, but we have never held it ourselves. We were ordered to protect the information at all costs.”

  Kael got to his feet, then grew cold and still as a statue. “And did you protect that information at all costs?”

  “The fire.” Emily’s voice trembled. Her fingers curled into tight, shaking fists. “He held my hands in the fire.”

  “So, you told him where to find this key.” Kael’s voice was rough, and a bit disgusted.

  I sliced him with a glare. “Kael.”

  “Some protector you are,” he said.

  “I seem to recall a certain jaguar who let a human woman slip past his defenses to steal a key he was supposed to be protecting with his life.”

  Emily’s stare swept between Kael and myself at my chastising words, no doubt trying to piece together a story. The shifter fell silent. I shouldn’t goad him, or make him feel incompetent because he truly wasn’t, but he also shouldn’t be scorning a woman who had just been tortured.