Cursed Magic

by Madeline Freeman

  Bridget bites her lower lip. “So, he’s really strong…?”

  “We knew that already,” Sasha says. “What I’m saying is, we might not be able to locate Fox and Owen, but we might be able to find out where they’re being hidden.”

  “Would you stop talking in riddles?” Griffin snarls. “We can’t find them but we can find where they are? Why are you here again?”

  I’ve gotten to know Sasha well enough to catch the flash in her eyes. If we weren’t on a deadline, I’m sure she’d give Griffin a piece of her mind. Instead, she takes in a deep breath and releases it slowly. “Brody is pulling a ton of magic to keep them hidden. Instead of looking for Fox and Owen, we can focus on finding the magic.”

  My skin prickles. Is she right? Could it be that easy? What she’s saying makes sense. Except I have no idea how we’d go about it.

  Tucker voices the same question an instant after it crosses my mind. “Is there a spell for that or something?”

  Sasha’s lips press together in a tight line. My heart sinks. If there is, she doesn’t know of it off the top of her head.

  West closes the book he’s been reading and stands from his spot on the floor. “Maybe we don’t need a spell.”

  Griffin’s eyebrows hitch upward. “What do you mean?”

  “Maybe we could try dowsing for it,” West says, his voice unsure. “I’ve been reading about how psychics can use their abilities to dowse for things like water or oil. Why not magic?”

  “You’ve been reading?” Bria asks.

  West points at her. “Not the time for your sass. The point is, I think it might work. I just need a Y-shaped stick or rod.”

  No sooner have the words left West’s mouth than Griffin darts from the living room. When he emerges from his bedroom seconds later, he holds up a wire hanger triumphantly. “Will this work?”

  West nods. “It might.”

  Felix, who’s closer to Griffin than West, relieves him of the hanger. Mere seconds after it’s in his hand, it begins bending as he uses his telekinetic powers to form it into the correct shape.

  Once it looks like a Y, Griffin takes it back and walks over to West. When he gives it to him, Griffin places a hand on West’s shoulder. “Please find my little brother.”

  West nods grimly and turns toward the door, but before he can make it more than a few steps, Felix calls for him to wait before disappearing into Griffin’s bedroom. He returns carrying more hangers and starts working them into the same shape as the one West is holding.

  “We’ll be more effective if we’re all looking,” Felix says, holding out a completed hanger toward Bria.

  “That’s a really good idea,” Tucker says without any trace of sarcasm. He and Dana move to Felix’s side for their own hangers. West joins them and starts explaining the process for dowsing.

  Sasha calls the witches to her and explains that once a location is found, they will have to remove the enchantments that have been cast upon it. She casts a glamor on Griffin’s coffee table and instructs each one how to do the spell to take it off.

  I’m still standing in the corner, wishing there were anything I could do to help. But I can’t. I can’t wield magic and I can’t sense energies. All I can do is sit here, steeping in my feelings, praying one of my friends will be able to undo my mess.

  After Griffin successfully makes his coffee table reappear, he pulls his phone from his back pocket and checks the time. “That’s going to have to be enough practice. We’ve gotta get moving.”

  Everyone begins pairing up—Crystal with Dana, Griffin with Tucker, Sasha with Bria, Bridget with West, and Lexie with Felix. Everyone has a partner except for me. I might as well be a statue.

  Each set of partners exits the apartment. Only Lexie and Felix hang back, their eyes lingering on me.

  “Why don’t you come with us?” Felix asks.

  I shake my head. “I won’t be any help.”

  Felix and Lexie exchange glances. “It doesn’t matter,” Lexie says quickly. “It matters that were looking. We’ll find them.”

  I want to believe her, but the worry that’s been gnawing at me bubbles to the surface. “And what if we don’t? If we can’t find them, Brody will make good on his threats.” I can’t bring myself to say the words “kill them,” even though I know that will be their fate if we fail. I square my shoulders and step away from the corner for the first time since entering the apartment. “I can stop this. Brody gave me the way out. We don’t have to hope these hangers can point us to magic—I can just—”

  “Don’t even think about it,” Felix snaps. “It’s not an option.”

  “But it is,” I insist. “I’ll do anything if it means saving the two of them.”

  Felix’s jaw tightens and he postures like he’s ready to argue, but Lexie places her hand on his arm. “We still have time,” she says. “Have faith. There’s nothing we’ve been up against so far that we haven’t been able to overcome. Breaking the spell that anchored the witches to the crystal, defeating Seth, knocking back the Influence. We can do this, too.”

  I bite my lower lip, weighing her words. Yes, it’s true we’ve been able to get ourselves out of many difficult situations, but this isn’t the same. Still, I want to believe her. I slip my phone from my back pocket and check the time. “We should get going. We have fifty-three minutes.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Brody

  I’m bored, and it’s warmer than I’d like. I should have opted for a T-shirt rather than my usual button-down, but this will be over soon enough. I consider moving into my car for cover, perhaps turning on the air conditioning to combat the heat instead of staying here, leaning against the hood of my car. But before the thought is fully formed, my ears catch the sound of an engine in the distance. I smile. Krissa made her decision sooner than I anticipated. I figured she’d wait until the very last second before admitting there was no way she could save Owen and Fox without my help.

  I turn, ready to greet her with open arms, but when I recognize the approaching car, my smile turns into a grimace. The flashy red coupe is Lena’s. I stalk over to where she pulls to a stop. “What are you doing here?” I demand as soon as she opens the door.

  She takes her time sliding out, studying me. What is she looking for? Signs of weakness or uncertainty? She’ll find none. “Don’t get your boxers in a twist,” she finally says. “I’ve already seen to both boys. They’re safe.”

  “That’s not what I asked. You need to get back into position for phase two.”

  She slams the car door and leans against it, crossing her arms over her chest. “Do you really think phase two is necessary?”

  I raise an eyebrow. I detect a note of hesitation in her voice and it sends a thrill of triumph through my system. “This from the woman who accused me of not being willing to do what’s necessary? Now that you see I am, you’re worried I’ll succeed.” I watch her face for tells, but there’s something in her eyes that doesn’t seem to agree with my assessment. There’s a reluctance I’ve never noticed before. Perhaps the implications of her part in phase two have finally sunk in. “You’re afraid. It’s all well and good for you to sit back and whisper in Jade’s ear that I’m not capable of going far enough, but when it comes down to it, you’re the one who can’t do what it takes.”

  Lena draws her shoulders back and lifts her chin. “That’s not it. I’m just wondering if there isn’t another way. How do you even know it’ll come to phase two?”

  “Of course it will,” I say dismissively. I thought long and hard about this plan and how to ensure its success. There can be no loopholes, no hope left for Krissa. “You don’t know her as I do. Believe me, this is the only way to gain her unwavering allegiance. Now, unless you want to be the one to explain to Jade how you’re responsible for us not having an assassin, get back into position.”

  A shadow flickers across Lena’s face. I’m sure she wants to argue—I sense it’s in her nature—but she seems to think better of it. Wit
hout another word, she slips into her car and drives back down the road in the direction from which she came.

  I could get used to people taking my orders like that. In fact, I plan to grow quite accustomed to it. If Lena continues to give me the respect I deserve, I might be able to turn her loyalty to my advantage. Despite how annoying she can be, her spark could benefit my new administration. Her spirit is one that, once tamed, could be of use to me.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Krissa

  I’ve been drumming my fingers against my thigh for the last ten minutes. This is taking too long. There’s only half an hour remaining before Brody’s deadline.

  Lexie sits in the driver’s seat of Felix’s car while he calls out directions based on the impressions he’s receiving through his makeshift dowsing rod. So far, Felix has led us to Hannah’s Herbs, Anya’s apartment, and Ruby Riddell’s house. I suppose I can understand why: The shop is full of elements that can be used in magic—plus, Jodi is a witch, and she’s working today. Ruby Riddell—Fox’s grandmother—and Anya are both psychics, which could explain why Felix was picking up impressions from each of them.

  I can’t hold his mistakes against him. He’s never attempted this before. It’s not his fault he’s being forced to practice when the stakes are so high.

  We’re probably seven minutes from Griffin’s apartment, which is where I left my car. If I speed, it might be possible to get to the lonely road where I know Brody is waiting in less than fifteen. I can’t afford the luxury of patience anymore. If I want to save Owen and Fox, I know what I need to do. I’m just not sure how to convince Felix and Lexie to let me do it.

  With each passing moment, I’m more aware of the pressure of the Influence on my mind, but there’s still a kind of wall between me and it. I can’t access its power. It’s as if the Influence senses chaos somewhere nearby. Like it wants to be a part of it. But the dissevering spell is still holding, and there’s no danger of it usurping control of my body.

  Felix calls out a direction that will take us even farther from Griffin’s house. If I’m going to make my case, I need to do it now; otherwise it’ll take too long to get to Brody. I open my mouth, but before I can speak, my phone buzzes. A quick glance reveals a text from Dana. Tears prickle my eyes as relief swells within me. “They think they found Fox.”

  Lexie and Felix cheer, but my fingers are already flying. “I’m telling them not to rescue him yet.” My mind spins with new possibilities, ones I wouldn’t let myself consider before. But now that Fox has been found, it changes everything.

  Lexie pulls the car over, parking in front of a squat single-story house. “Why?” she asks, turning to face me.

  “We don’t know who’s watching,” I say as I press the “send” button. Different scenarios unfold in my head—all the ways things could go wrong. “You’ll have to time everything right because we won’t get a second chance. It’s possible Brody set traps—or if he hasn’t, he might have sensors or something, and he could retaliate against Owen if he realizes he can’t use Fox as leverage anymore.”

  Felix also turns in his seat. “Okay, I’ll bite. What’s the plan?”

  I purse my lips. I’d love to give him the information he wants, but I’m still working everything out in my head. Besides, if there’s any chance of this working at all, time is of the essence. “I’ll let you know. All you need to do right now is take me to my car.”

  Lexie’s brow furrows. “Tell me where you need to go, and I’ll drop you.”

  I’ve already played out that scenario in my mind. Yes, it would be the fastest option, but the room for unintended consequences grows exponentially by bringing two more people I care about so close to Brody. “No. I have to go alone. I’m going to tell Brody I’ve made my decision.”

  For a beat, they both stare at me. Understanding dawns on Felix’s face first; a sneaky smile spreads across Lexie’s face a second later.

  I sigh, thankful when they don’t ask me to spell things out for them. “Join up with the others and wait until I tell you it’s okay to move on Fox.”

  “I don’t like the idea of you going by yourself,” Felix says.

  “Not up for discussion.”

  Lexie and Felix exchange glances. It’s obvious neither of them is comfortable with me facing Brody without backup. I understand, but we don’t have much of a choice. Felix nods. “Okay, but we don’t need to waste time taking you back to your car. Just take mine. I’ll have West or someone come get us.”

  Affection rises within me as I climb out of Felix’s car. No sooner is he out than I wrap my arms around him, hugging him as tightly as I can. I hope he understands I’m not just thanking him for the use of his car. His friendship has meant so much to me, and his trust now may help me undo whatever evil Brody has planned.

  Felix kisses my forehead. “Be safe,” he murmurs as we release each other.

  I start for the driver’s side of the car, passing Lexie on the way. She holds out the keys, and when I take them, I pause to squeeze her fingers. She returns the pressure and offers a weak smile.

  Once I slide back into the car, I don’t look at either of them. I’m afraid of what I might see on their faces. It’s possible this plan will go sideways. I’d go so far as to say it’s likely. But it’s the only plan I have. I just have to hope my friends are able to get to Fox without getting hurt themselves.

  I point Felix’s car in Brody’s direction and drive away.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Brody

  There are sixteen minutes left before my deadline when I catch sight of the approaching car. It’s not Krissa’s, but I know it’s her behind the wheel. Like I told Lena, I’ve grown to know her well. She no doubt spent all the time she safely could attempting to find the boys, but locater spells won’t work. Even if she tried to summon them, the effect of the magic wouldn’t reach either of them due to the enchantments Lena and I cast. She must have finally realized none of her friends’ magical attempts stand a chance of saving Owen or Fox. As I knew she would.

  She pulls the car to a stop in front of me and climbs out. It looks vaguely familiar—I’m pretty sure it belongs to one of her friends, but I can’t remember which. Not that it matters. It isn’t as if any of her friends will play much of a role in her life after today. “I see you’ve finally come to your senses.”

  She glares, crossing her arms over her chest. “I don’t really have a choice, do I? My friends and I have done everything we can think of, but we haven’t been able to find Fox or Owen. But this isn’t news to you. You knew I’d fail.”

  I hold my hands up innocently. “I admit, the game wasn’t fair. But neither is life.” I pause, savoring the moment. Until now, I haven’t let myself fantasize too much about how I’ll be received when I return to the Amaranthine, new assassin at my side. Jade will, of course, be suitably impressed. Any doubts she may have had about my ability to lead our people will fade away, and she’ll give me her unwavering support as her successor. I’ve always been popular, but when I return victorious, I can’t imagine there will be one woman who will turn down any advance I’ll make. And then, a few months from now, when I am affirmed as the new high priest, no one will be able to stand against me or my people as I lead us to the immortality we’ve dreamt of for so long. “So, you’ll be my assassin?”

  Krissa drops her arms and squares her shoulders. “No.”

  The images dancing in my mind evaporate. “No? I don’t think you understand what that means for your boyfriends.”

  Her posture doesn’t change, and her expression borders on haughty. “I know what it means. I’ve made my decision. I choose Owen.”

  My eyebrows hitch upward. Typically, I’m able to keep a poker face, but her decision is unexpected. “You realize that if you choose Owen —”

  “Fox dies. I know.” The briefest flicker of hesitation crosses her face, but she blinks it away. “I don’t want it to happen, but it’s what I have to choose. I can’t go with you. I won’t
give into the Influence and be your assassin. I told you, I’ll never stop fighting for the future I deserve. Owen doesn’t trust me after what happened with Fox. If Fox is gone…” She squeezes her eyes shut and her lips tremble. “If he’s gone, Owen won’t ever have to doubt me again. He’ll understand how much I love him.”

  I scrutinize her face, looking for tells that she’s trying to deceive me. There are hints of fear and regret in her eyes, but mostly they’re filled with grim determination. My lips curl into a smile. “You’re even more heartless than I imagined. I didn’t think you were capable of sacrificing someone’s life for your own happiness.”

  “Are you going to honor your original terms or not?” she asks, a hard edge to her voice. “I choose Owen.” She checks the screen of her phone. “In thirteen minutes, Fox…” She struggles to swallow before she can continue. “Fox dies. And you leave town forever. Do we have a deal?”

  “Of course,” I say, keeping my voice light and easy. “I am a man of my word.” I sweep my hand toward my car. “I’ll take you to Owen.”

  Her eyebrows scrunch together and seconds pass before she moves. I can’t help smiling to myself as she walks toward the car. Not many people can surprise me, but she just did. Although I won’t admit it to Lena—or anyone else—this isn’t the choice I imagined Krissa would make. I figured there was no way she could live with herself if she allowed someone to die.

  Careful not to let her see, I slip my phone from my pocket and tap out a quick message to Lena. Initiate phase two.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Krissa

  It’s taking all of my concentration not to let Brody see how nervous I am. To keep from fidgeting, I sit on my hands. Pinning them beneath my thighs also keeps me from indulging my other urge—checking my phone.