Page 38 of An Oath at Midnight

“I like you,” she said, stopping in front of us. “I knew I would.”

Her skin was wrinkled, and her gray hair was wild and wiry. I had no idea how old she was, but I’d say very. The only thing between us was her ward, and my heart banged a little harder when her now piercing green eyes locked with mine. The raven on her shoulder looked up at Bram and bobbed, making a high-pitched caw.

Bram replied, a gritty sound coming from low in his chest.

“Why am I here, Agatheena?” I asked again.

“You’ll find out, but first.” She waved toward one of the jars hanging on the tree. “It needs a lock of your hair before it’ll let you past,” she said.

I wasn’t sure what it referred to, the ward or the tree. Either way, I needed to add some hair to her collection. I guess I should be grateful she didn’t demand an organ.

“I’ll be waiting, so get a move on,” Agatheena said, then headed back up the path and into her cottage.

“I’m coming with you,” Bram said as I pulled a piece of hair forward from underneath and sliced off a small section.

I glanced up at the cottage and back at him. “Ronan wasn’t allowed past her wards, but she didn’t say you couldn’t. Maybe it’ll be okay?”

“I don’t give a fuck if it’s not. I’m coming.” He unscrewed the lid of the jar and held it out.

I shoved my hair in, and he did it back up, letting the jar hang.

“Let’s get this over with,” he said and curled his fingers around mine.

I lifted my hand, and the buzz of power that had zapped through me was gone. “The ward’s dropped. Let’s go.” I stepped through, turning back when Bram pulled on my hand—

He snarled as his fingers were ripped from mine and he was tossed backward, landing hard on the forest floor. He shot to his feet and bolted toward me but was thrown back a second time. He jumped to his feet again and stormed forward, his black eyes filled with rage. “This isn’t happening. You are not going in there without me.”

He was afraid for me, but I had no choice. “I have to do this. I’ll be okay.”

“Don’t you dare walk in there,” he said through gritted teeth.

I was already stepping away. “I have to. Rose owes her, and she called me here for a reason. Maybe she can tell me something about Willow, or my task.”

“No,” he bit out and stepped forward, reaching for me without thinking—and was tossed back a third time.

Agatheena obviously got sick of waiting, because her magic suddenly coiled around me and dragged me right up the path and to the front door before Bram could storm back to the path entrance.

The door opened, and I was thrust inside before it slammed shut again.

I looked around. There were more…things hanging all over the cottage, from the walls and ceiling. Things that would turn anyone’s stomach.

Agatheena walked out of a room to the side, the kitchen. She was sucking on a pipe, blowing out blue smoke.

She held it up. “You gonna throw a hissy fit? Or are we all good?”

“I’m good.”

She grinned, showing me those pointed teeth of hers again. “You tell me if you change your mind. I’ll give you a dose of my blue smoke and all your stresses will melt away.”

Bram yelled my name.

“Your male might need it, though. If he’s anything like your sister’s mate, he’ll caterwaul until you’re back.”

“He’s not my mate. He’s my familiar.”

The kettle whistled, and she lifted it off the stove, put some basil, chamomile, lemon balm, and lavender in a couple of mugs, then poured water over them—a mix used to help with relaxation. I didn’t see her add anything else, but there could’ve been something already in the mug. Her familiar flew from the living room, cawing, and landed on her shoulder. She chuckled. “You see it, too, Dolores?”

The bird bobbed its head.