Chapter 14

CHAPTER14

Rhys

Late winter windhissed through bare branches outside my tower window. I stood looking out at the forest stretching towards the distant mountains, their peaks already capped with snow.

It had been several weeks since the Night of the Snarevine, as students now called it in awed whispers. Physically, Seraphina and I had long since healed. But that harrowing brush with death had bonded us more profoundly than any vows could.

In the aftermath, hiding our feelings seemed a pointless charade. Once it became clear we were officially together, reactions ranged from envious to mocking. We’d even earned a portmanteau nickname—the Serhys, combining our identities into one. I bore it proudly. Let them gossip and glare. Nothing could touch us now.

With me at her side, Drazhan’s bullying had instantly ceased. Even he wasn’t foolish enough to risk provoking my wrath a second time. And so a measure of peace had descended on my sweet witch, a lightness carrying through her days that lifted my own darkened spirits.

My thoughts turned to the upcoming meeting in Wellsprings. I was to audition for musical acts for the Starry Night Ball at The Painted Witch nightclub. Normally I would savor the chance to temporarily escape Blackthorn’s gloom. But today, with Seraphina’s absence weighing on me, the outing felt more chore than pleasure.

She had promised to join me, but her customary sweet note this morning apologized that urgent business in town would delay her. I knew better than to pry. But her secrecy left a trickle of unease in my gut. What was she hiding?

Sighing, I roused myself to departure. Standing idle only gave doubts room to spread thorns. After one last glance at the grey sky, I dissolved into wisps of black vapor, reforming at the gates beyond.

* * *

Wellspring’scobbled streets greeted me with familiar bustle, smoke pluming from cramped buildings against the frigid air. I blended easily into the crowds, making their way along Rainmaker’s Lane as the church bells tolled noon. Too soon, The Painted Witch’s garish sign emerged from the throng. With a fortifying breath, I plunged inside.

The gloom of the shuttered tavern oozed with stale ale and ambition. A handful of local bands warmed up on the cramped stage, jockeying for the prestige of performing at the fabled Blackthorn Castle. I settled at the bar, braced for a tedious procession of youthful mediocrity.

Two hackneyed power ballads, and a mangled magepunk attempt later, my restraint hung by a thread. The next act swaggered onstage, sneering out at me through lank hair. My claws gouged furrows in the lacquered bar top before I could stop myself. So much for keeping an open mind.

Halfway through their tone-deaf growling, the doors clattered open. A cloaked figure slipped gracefully through the morass of shadows and indifferent patrons. Sensing a far more intriguing diversion, I settled back to observe.

With parsimonious movements, the stranger threw back their hood, eliciting gasps from the pathetic crowd. Like sunlight piercing gloom, Seraphina’s radiant beauty and bearing cut through the tavern’s mundane drear. Bounding smoothly onstage, she raised a hand for silence.

“Thank you all for coming, but your time here is done. Leave us.” Her tone brooked no dissent. After a muttered word from the management, the bands filed out, grumbling and cowed. None dared oppose such regal command.

The room emptied swiftly until only Seraphina and I remained. In unspoken accord, we moved together to the center of the dim stage. Her grey eyes shone with triumph barely contained, a secret on her lips begging to be shared. Unable to bear the suspense, I broke the silence first.

“Clearly, you’ve woven some enchantment here, my beautiful one,” I teasingly said. “Dare I hope it is good news you bring?”

Joy illuminated her face then, bright as twilight’s first rays spearing through the shadows. “The best, my heart. I believe I’ve found a way to break your curse at last!”

Her words struck me dumbfounded for a dozen heartbeats. Break my curse? Dizzying hope warred with years of bitter disappointments and loss inside me. I dared not yet grasp this lifeline fully.

Seeing my hesitation, Seraphina clasped my hands in hers tightly, eyes burning with conviction. “Listen first, then judge if this path holds promise,” she soothingly said.

I nodded silently, afraid to shatter this fragile dream.

“I asked Professor O’Connor for help,” Seraphina explained. “As an authority on ancient lore, he said your curse resembles one recorded centuries ago—a gargoyle shifter doomed to turn to solid stone.”

She went on eagerly. “The Professor showed me the tale in an old tome. He believes only fulfilling your true heart’s desire can break the spell.”

“But how will I know what that is?” I asked, grasping for some scrap of hope.

Seraphina squeezed my hands. “We’ll figure it out,” she assured me soothingly. “Somewhere in you lies the key.”

I raked my fingers through my hair in agitation. “You make it sound so simple. But after all this time...” I trailed off hopelessly.

“Perhaps I can help.” The smoky voice behind us sent a chill down my spine. I turned to see one of the nightclub’s raven-haired owners regarding us kindly. The Wicked Twins’ fame preceded them.

Crow, her name was. A notorious witch, though her youthful style belied her formidable magic. Everything about this woman read power—from the bold hot-pink tips streaking her inky hair to the glinting labret piercings adorning her full lips. Her velvet dress clung to her frame like liquid shadow, hinting at occult symbols embroidered around the hem in silver thread.

“Sorry to eavesdrop, but your story is quite moving,” Crow said. “And curses happen to be a specialty of mine.” She flashed a confident wink.

I hesitated. Could this stranger really help what scores of adepts had failed to in decades past? But Seraphina nodded encouragingly.

“We’d be grateful for any insights you can offer,” she replied.

Crow grinned. “Then if you’ll both follow me, I know just the ritual that may provide some... clarity.”

She sashayed towards an Employees Only door, beckoning us into the club’s shadowy depths. Seraphina and I stepped forward into the unknown. If Crow spoke the truth, enlightenment awaited within.