Page 66 of Love Summoned

“Yeah, she’s with my dad, but I was only meant to be here for a few days. I haven’t checked in with home for at least twenty-four hours, he’ll be going out of his mind.”

“You can use my phone too.” Freddie smiles. “I’m part of the witch crew now.”

“Really?” I glance over at Celeste, who simply shrugs.

“I know a future guide when I see one.” She’s right, Freddie would be the perfect witches guide. I wonder if she’s told him it’s a position only held by witches. I haven’t sensed any powers on Freddie, but if he hasn’t grown up with magic, it’s possible his power has been dormant, maybe even bound.

“I’m going to take Nikita home too,” Rowan says, moving away from me and pulling his sister into his arms. “We’ll see you back at the inn?” He directs the question specifically to Sloane.

“Ah, yeah, see you there,” Sloane stutters.

Now that Catori is gone, I think it’s time for my sister to fix her own mate bond.

We split up, each taking a different route through the park. It takes nearly fifteen minutes for us to cross to the other side.

I can’t imagine what’s so important over here, and if it’s nothing more than some philosophical reminder of ‘it’s better to have loved and lost’ bullshit, then I’m going to be pissed.

I don’t know what I’m expecting to find when we reach the garden alcove, but it’s not a body passed out in the middle of the grass.

“Is that a person?” Sloane hisses. “Haven’t we saved the world enough for one night?”

The body lies perfectly still, curled on one side with their back facing us.

“Hello?” I gently call. Whoever it is doesn’t stir. Celeste and I step closer, and she lifts a hand, ready to summon her magic if needed as I kneel behind the figure.

“Hello?” I try again, my hand landing on their shoulders.

They fall onto their back, their face illuminated under the moonlight. Features etched in peace while my heart riots like a hurricane.

Nix.

29

Four days later

“Bandages?”

“We still need to add yarrow.”

“No, I already did that.”

It’s a struggle to breathe. It feels like there’s a band wrapped around my chest.

Where am I?

“That color is all wrong. There’s definitely no yarrow in it.”

“Well, I don’t see any yarrow, do you?”

I pry my eyes open. My vision is blurred, but clear enough to make out Sera and Sloane standing with their backs to me in front of a dresser. Their faces reflected in a mirror. Sloane has something black smudged on her cheek, and her dark hair is piled on top of her head with wisps falling free around her face. Sera’s face looks clean and dewy, as if she’s freshly showered, but dark circles are under her eyes.

“It’s that vial, right there next to your phone. The dusty yellow one.”

“Oh, my bad,” Sloane grins, picks up a vial, and pours it into a small bowl on the counter in front of them, then mixes the contents.

“Move over, you’re too distracted.” Sera bumps her sister with her hip, taking the spoon from her.

“I am not.” Sloane sighs, turning to slump against the dressers. She’s wearing dark gray coveralls that are tied around the waist and a black tank top. More of the oily grime from her face is streaked over her arms.