Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

Whirling around, I saw a tracker pull himself through the small window. The man was the same one who’d attempted to take me from the cave.

Glass crunched under his boots as he stepped down, but he paid it no mind.

“It’s time to pay your debt.” The way his gaze raked over me left no doubt the payment he would demand.

Fear and anger were a terrible, frightening combination. They threatened my control…and control was what kept those I cared about safe.

“Leave,” I said. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

He laughed. “You were lucky the last time we met. You won’t be this time.”

He lunged forward and grabbed me by the throat with one hand and slapped me hard with the other. My ears rang.

The emotions suppressed underneath the lid of my well boiled out, and my control fractured.

Behind him, the glass shards jittered on the floor and then began to rise into the air. My gaze shifted from them to his rage-contorted face.

“Stop. Please,” I rasped.

“Beg harder.” He slapped me again.

I closed my eyes and tried to focus on better, happier moments. Daemon and his kiss. Eadric’s innocent smile. Garron’s sweet blush. Brandle’s care and kindness.

It wasn’t enough. The dishes started to shake on the shelves.

The tracker slammed me into a wall. When his hand fumbled to pull up my skirts, my eyes flew open. My need to strike out threatened to swallow me whole.

I gripped the arm suspending me above the floor for support.

“My name is Kellen Cartwright,” I rasped. “I am the daughter of a merchant and a noblewoman.”

“Do you think that will spare you? I’ve always wanted to fuck a noblewoman,” he said.

“My name is Kellen Cartwright,” I repeated, desperate to remind myself who I was. “I am the daughter of a merchant and a noblewoman.”

Behind him, the glass trembled in the air.

“I am not cruel!” I screamed. “I will not kill you.”

He yanked his hand from under my skirt and slapped me so hard I tasted blood.

“In what world could a girl like you kill me?”

My world, I thought, boiling with rage .

The lid moved to the side, and energy in the well exploded outward, washing the inside of the cottage in hues of violet and blue. The air crackled with the freed power, and my hair floated around me like it did when I swam with Eloise in the pond.

In front of me, the man made a strangled sound. His eyes—the only things he was able to move—darted around frantically.

Terrible, hateful anger pulsed through my veins. My throat burned from his punishing hold, and I wanted to hurt him for daring to hurt me. That need for revenge ate at me.

Refusing to give in to it, I touched his chest and pushed him back. His grip remained firm around my neck until I tugged myself free. He whimpered as he slowly floated away, adrift in the current of violet-blue dust.

The anger inside of me didn’t abate. Neither did the fear. Of him. Of myself.

Energy sparked under my feet with each desperate step toward the door. I reached for the latch, seeking my salvation. But what I saw outside wasn’t the help I needed.

Chaos reigned. Near the trees, Edmund, Eadric, Darian, and Daemon were fighting the other four for all their worth.

Garron, nearest to the cottage, wasn’t looking at me but at Liam and Brandle near the upturned table that lay partially in the cooking fire.

Liam swayed on his feet, and Brandle caught him by the arm.

“Stay upright,” Brandle said to him before spotting me.

“Kellen. The tea. Quickly.”

Garron turned to look at me and then through the open cottage door behind me. I knew he saw what I’d done when his eyes widened.

As he met my gaze again, the panic and wild need to cry overwhelmed me.

“I can’t stop it,” I said with tears streaming down my cheeks.

He closed the distance between us and held me.

“Focus on the beat of your heart and the sound of your breathing.”

Over his shoulder, I saw Brandle’s gaze shift from me to Liam. The concern etching his features was…discordant.

“Just breathe, Liam,” he said. “Kellen will fix this.”

My first thought was that my magic had managed to harm Liam despite his charm. Then he turned slightly, leaning into Brandle’s hold on his shoulders, and I saw Liam’s back. Little remained of his charred shirt to hide the raw, red and black burned skin beneath.

The world dropped out from under my feet.

“Kellen,” Garron called, his voice distant and barely audible over the ringing in my ears.

Darkness crept into my peripheral, and with it, I heard Eloise—not her words, simply her voice—and I welcomed the abyss.

“I don’t know , Brandle. She cast more energy than I could ever dream of casting. When Henry cast extensive spells, it took him days to recover.”

“Liam doesn’t have days, Garron.”

The anger and urgency in Brandle’s voice drew me from the comforting nothingness that held me. Thoughts swam just out of reach for a brief moment before I recalled the extent of Liam’s injuries.

“I’m here,” I slurred, struggling to open my eyes.

“Princess,” Darian said. “Are you all right?”

“Fine.” My eyes opened on the fourth try. Five of the brothers stood around me. Inside the cottage. The air was normal again.

“It disappeared when you fainted,” Garron said, noting my searching gaze.

“Good. And the tracker?”

“In the cellar for now.”

“I meant, is he alive?” I clarified as I took Darian’s proffered hand and sat up.

“He is.”

I glanced at the table and saw they already had everything prepared for the tea.

“Wait,” Garron said when I attempted to stand. “Look at me, Kellen.”

I met his gaze and let him search mine.

“What are you looking for?” I asked.

“Any sign that casting now might hurt you.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“You don’t know that, Sparrow,” Eadric said.

Looking them over, I took in their concern and injuries. Brandle’s nose looked crooked again. Garron’s lip was split and swollen. Eadric had a red, puffy cheek. Darian kept his weight off one leg, and Daemon held one of his hands under his arm.

“I know that I feel better than you look. Isn’t that enough? Where’s Edmund? Is he with Liam?”

“He is,” Brandle said. “We need you to make four cups of tea, Kitten. If you can.”

“I can.”

Darian helped me stand and guided me to the table. The extra consideration, while endearing, was unnecessary. Not a hint of dizziness remained.

The others left to straighten the mess outside, and Garron remained to assist me with the tea. His continued glances conveyed his lingering worry.

“I am well, Garron. I promise.”

“You didn’t look well. You fainted.”

“I don’t think it was due to what happened in here but what happened out there. I saw Liam’s back.”

“Ah.”

“Will he be all right?”

“He will be after he drinks the tea. Is that why you asked if the tracker was alive? Did you think we would seek revenge for what he and the others did to hurt us?”

I looked up from the candle to meet Garron’s gaze.

“I don’t doubt your intentions, Garron. I doubt my own. You saw what was in this room. I don’t know how I did that. If I hadn’t walked away when I had, I think the glass would have flown at him.”

Garron nodded slowly and looked down at the tea leaves he was grinding into a powder.

“It’s not your intentions you doubt, Snow, but your control. You walked away to spare him and asked about him as soon as you woke. People with evil intentions wouldn’t do that.”

“I would like to believe that, but I was angry, Garron. A part of me wanted to hurt him for what he was trying to do.”

He paused and looked at me.

I held his gaze. “Many men believe a woman’s only worth lies within the ability of her womb.”

He averted his gaze and stared down at the ground tea leaves.

“I don’t keep secrets from my brothers.”

“Yet if you tell them what I’ve said, they will not allow the tracker’s continued existence,” I guessed. “It worries me that I find myself conflicted whether or not to protest that decision. Am I changing, Garron? I thought my control was improving, but you saw the energy born of my anger and fear. Perhaps I am growing more wicked with my abilities.”

“Your fear that you are proves that you aren’t. And I vow the tracker will leave this glade alive. His death will not stain your hands.”

I nodded and focused on my work for several minutes. Once the candle was heating the water, I asked what I was dreading to know.

“What was that? The energy I cast?”

“I’m not certain. It wasn’t like anything I’ve ever witnessed. But I’ve only seen Henry cast, and he only cast when necessary.”

“And you’re sure it disappeared when I fainted?”

He nodded.

“Good. If it happens again, don’t allow me to hurt anyone.”

“I won’t.”

Feeling relieved, I spent the rest of the time silently focusing on the tea. When Garron suggested I speak an additional spell over the finished brew, I opened myself to the well, willing the energy to touch the tea so Liam could heal faster.

“Is it done?” Brandle asked from the door. His hair stood up on end like he’d been running his hands through it.

“It is,” I said. “Garron and I will carry them out.”

“No. Eadric, get over here!” he bellowed, startling me. His gaze held mine. “Stay here with Garron.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

Garron passed Brandle two cups and grabbed me when I would have followed with the one I held.

“Snow, it’s better to stay in here.”

Looking pale and without his usual smile, Eadric appeared in the opening and took one of the cups from me.

“Take a sip quickly, Sparrow,” he said.

Garron lifted the cup to my lips when I didn’t immediately move to do so. After I swallowed once, he handed both cups to Eadric, who vanished as quickly as he appeared.

I turned to Garron.

“Do not keep secrets from me, Garron. What’s wrong?”

“Liam’s burns are bad. He’s suffering, and none of us want you to witness it. You already fainted once.” He paused. “Edmund was stabbed as well.”

“How badly?”

“Very.”

I stared at the door and felt the dangerous combination of anger and fear again.

The dishes started to rattle.

“Snow?”

“Don’t let me hurt anyone.”

He spun me around and kissed me. It wasn’t his typical soft and sweet kiss that melted my resolve. It was desperate and demanding. I answered in kind, tangling my fingers in his hair.

His hands smoothed down my sides and curved around to my backside. With a firm grip, he effortlessly lifted me. I pressed myself close, taking in the heat of his body and reveling in the contact.

When we finally broke apart, the dishes no longer rattled, and I didn’t feel a hint of anger—though the worry for Edmund and Liam remained. Garron held me as his breathing slowed then carefully set me down.

“Will the tea be enough?” I asked.

“Four cups should be. Edmund and Liam will drink a full cup and whatever is left of the other two.”

“We can’t continue like this.” I glanced at the cellar door. Garron had said the tracker was down there. Where I was cursed not to utter a word against Maeve, perhaps he was not. But even if he couldn’t speak of Maeve’s evil intent, there were other questions to ask.

“What are you thinking?” Garron said.

“I would like to speak with the tracker.”

“Brandle won’t?—”

“Brandle needs to remain focused on Liam and Edmund. We need to find out what the others have planned and why they attacked after five days of hesitancy.”

I opened myself, feeling the weather and the forest around the cottage. In it, I felt the beasts, my father, and the remaining trackers.

“They’re looking for him and will return to the clearing if they don’t find him soon. That is not something we can allow.”

Garron considered me for a moment before reluctantly agreeing. He went down the ladder first and lit the candle before telling me to come down.

The tracker lay on his side with his hands bound behind him to his ankles. A rag in his mouth muffled his panicked sounds when he saw me.

“Choose who you fear more—the person who sent you or me—and answer accordingly,” I said.

The tracker quieted, and I saw a glint of green flash in his eyes.

“He’s bespelled,” Garron said. He paused. “It’s deeply rooted, almost to the bones.”

“I don’t know what that means,” I said, even as I opened myself to sense magic. I felt it then, a tingle of awareness coming from inside the tracker–but also from the coin in his pocket.

“I’ll explain later,” Garron said. “Ask your questions so we can release him.”

I nodded and crouched down to pluck the rag from the man’s mouth.

“What are you here to do?” I asked.

“Bring you home.”

“Will you be permitted to return without me?”

He didn’t respond, but I glimpsed the flash of fear and desperation in his gaze. I shared the same feelings about Maeve, who had proven her ability to inflict pain without remorse. Death was not out of her reach.

“Take the coin from his pocket,” I said, stepping back so Garron could approach him.

“No. Don’t.” The tracker started thrashing to dislodge Garron’s searching hand.

Garron pinned the man down with a knee to his head. I felt no pity for the man. Garron plucked the coin free and released him.

“The coin holds magic,” I said. “For what purpose?”

The tracker glared at me, saying nothing.

“Answer me or answer them. While it makes no difference to me, it will to you.”

I could feel his hate for me overcome his fear.

“I heard what you said and know that you need to release me. I promise I will make you suffer. We will kill your protectors one by one until you have no one. Then, I will hold you down and take my due while you scream in pain,” he said.

Garron’s fist shot out, connecting with the man’s mouth. The tracker grunted and spat blood.

“That’s for my brothers,” Garron said. He hit the man again. “That’s for hurting her.”

He drew back again, but I set a hand on his shoulder.

“What purpose does the coin serve?” I asked again.

The tracker chuckled low.

“You’re the one with the magic. You tell me.”

I could feel his fear but, under it, his inability to speak the coin’s purpose.

“He has spoken all that he can,” I said. “Release him.”

Garron stood and pocketed the coin. “Would you like to learn a new spell?”

Curious, I nodded and watched Garron face the man.

“From your memories, I now draw our time together and everything you saw. In their place, you will keep seven small men who fiercely defend their home and a weak woman with no power of her own. Now sleep.”

Garron touched the man’s forehead, and I watched the tracker’s eyes close.

“He won’t remember what happened in this cottage,” Garron said. “Removing a person’s memory was the first spell Henry taught me. I practiced on Eadric so many times that I lost count. Once I mastered the spell, I vowed never to cast it on them again except when absolutely necessary to protect us. I would ask for your promise as well once you master it.”

“I think it will be a long while before I’m ready to try anything like that.”

“Ready or not, you need to learn. No one can know we’re here. If something were to happen to me, you’re the only other one who can cast.”

Reluctantly, I agreed and went up the ladder first as Garron followed with the tracker unconscious over his shoulder.

“I’ll toss this one into the woods then check on the others. Call out if you need anything.”

I watched him walk out the door then began clearing the table. He returned as I was hanging one of the blankets over the broken window’s opening.

“It’s good that winter is easing its hold,” he said. “Once the trackers are gone, we’ll replace the glass.”

“Gone? Did you not see the fear in his gaze when I asked if he would return without me? They will not leave willingly. How are Edmund and Liam? Can I see them yet?”

“We would prefer you wait for?—”

Edmund bellowed and started cursing a storm. I only made it one step when Garron caught me up in his arms. Darian strode in, took one look at me, and cradled my face between his palms.

“Please, Princess. Stay here.”

“Is he fighting?” I asked.

Darian glanced at Garron in question.

“She knows Edmund was hurt badly and asked that we not keep secrets from her,” Garron said.

“I think the secret of your curse is enough,” I said.

“Edmund was near gutted,” Darian admitted. “He wanted to let the tea heal him, but it’s working slower without stitches. So Brandle is placing them. Edmund isn’t happy.”

“Tell Edmund pain is like anger,” I said. “He can’t show it, not now while they’re listening. He needs to hide it to keep everyone safe. The trackers weren’t hurt badly enough to stay away. I can feel them now. Their search for their missing partner is the only reason they haven’t returned.”

Darian placed a quick kiss on my forehead and left to relay my message.

“I wish I could take his pain,” I said, staring at the empty doorway.

“None of us wants you to suffer in our places,” Garron said. “Ever. Once Edmund is healed, this will serve as his reminder to dodge faster.”

“Pain is a cruel teacher,” I said.

“It is. But it is also effective.” Garron led me to a chair, sat, and coaxed me to sit on his lap.

Outside, the cursing quieted.

“Let’s begin practicing the memory spell. Since you can already feel a person’s intentions, I believe you will master this quickly.

“The words you speak as you gather your energy are simply to focus the intent of your cast. Open yourself to what I’m feeling. The anger that the tracker hurt you and his determination to do so again. I want you to try to erase what he wanted to do to you. What he still wants to do to you. Do you understand? Follow my anger to the reason, speak the spell, then touch my forehead and send your energy into me.”

I hesitated.

“You’re doing this to keep us safe, Kellen. Trust me. This is important.”

Holding his gaze, I opened myself to Garron’s anger. The intensity of it became my own. His anger wasn’t a simple emotion but complex with branches. One for the tracker who’d purposely pushed Liam into the fire. One for the trackers who’d worked together to seriously harm Edmund. One for the tracker who’d threatened me. That branch carried more than the rest. From it, I found fear, love, and determination to protect me.

I understood then why Garron hadn’t simply removed the tracker’s memory but replaced it. Without that branch of anger, Garron would lose the reason behind the fear, love, and determination he would still feel.

I thought of the spell he’d spoken and considered the words that would help focus my intent.

“Of all the deeds the trackers have shown, let only those done to you and your brothers remain known. When the day comes that they are no longer a threat, you will remember what I caused you to forget.” I touched his forehead lightly, sending a very small thread of energy into his mind to touch the memory attached to the emotion. The energy wrapped around it and blanketed it in a shadowy fog.

Garron blinked sleepily as I lowered my hand.

“Did it work?” I asked.

He frowned slightly. “I asked you to cast a memory spell, but I don’t know why.”

“Then it worked,” I said.

His frown deepened for a moment, and I could feel his fear.

“The memory isn’t gone,” I said. “It’s still there, waiting to return when the time is right.”

“Promise me you’ll never do this again.”

“I already made a vow to you. Do you not remember?”

He nodded slowly. “Never to use it on us except to keep us safe.”

“You said removing the memory would keep you safe, Garron. That is the only reason I agreed.”

He hugged me close and rested his chin on the top of my head.

“They won’t be happy when they learn what I asked you to do. They’ll want to know why.”

“I know.” I patted his chest. “They will trust you had a good reason, though.”

Darian appeared in the doorway again and smiled slightly when he saw us.

“I think I could use a cuddle next,” he said.

I lifted my head and took in his less hitched stride as he entered the cottage.

“Would you mind if we switched?” I asked Garron.

“Not at all.”

He stood and handed me over to Darian. I tilted my head back as he nuzzled my neck and sat with me.

“I like this,” he said against my skin. “How much am I allowed before cuffing?”

“I promise not to cuff you if you promise not to get angry,” I said.

He lifted his head to look at me. “Angry? Why would I get angry?”

“Kiss me here, and I’ll tell you,” I said, tapping the spot just above the neckline of my gown.

His gaze dipped to my skin then back to my eyes.

“Are you attempting to distract me?”

“If I truly wanted to distract you, I think I would need to remove my dress.”

He groaned and dipped his head to kiss me where I’d asked. I ran my fingers through his hair.

“Garron asked me to learn how to remove memories. He said, if anything happened to him, I needed to ensure no one would remember you live here.”

Darian lifted his head to look at Garron, who shrugged.

“What I asked and why is a little unclear,” he said.

Darian looked at me again. “What memory did you take?”