Chapter Two
Freya
E xhaustion blurred my vision and weighed my limbs, but I couldn’t move from Walker’s side even if I wanted to. I wouldn’t. His chest rose and fell and rose again, but he was so very still otherwise. Fear fractured my conviction.
Is he nothing but a breathing corpse?
Did I make him into a monster?
Had I damned my coven for nothing?
Boom.
Lightning streaked across the maroon sky.
As Walker jolted upright, someone snatched Cadence out of the way. I scrambled out of Walker’s path, but he gripped my hand in his. Rich, skin-tingling magic radiated from him. As his electric, unnaturally bright gaze met mine, my jaw went slack. Cadence gasped, but I didn’t let my focus on the cowboy waver. I couldn’t—not yet.
“Cowboy,” I said, “how do you feel?”
Recognition relaxed his face, and he looked more like the Walker I knew. I buried the relief that threatened to boil over. With his free hand, he palmed my face. I shivered from the magic dancing on his skin.
“Sweetheart,” he whispered. Concern mottled his features. “I remember. I remember. Cadence?”
Searching for her, he whipped his head. Electricity zapped my face, and I hissed in pain. Walker’s relief upon seeing his sister was short-lived. As his gaze fixed on what was probably a fairly red mark on my cheek, his expression crumpled. He tore his hand free from mine and scooted away from me. Cadence lurched forward to comfort her brother.
Walker’s command boomed across the field. “Stay back!”
Cadence froze, but her watery-eyed smile didn’t fall.
“Walkie,” she whispered. “You’re okay.”
Judging by his wide-eyed gaze, he wasn’t convinced.
“Breathe,” I told him. “Pretend you’re handling a spooked horse and just breathe, Walker. You’re going to be okay.”
“It’s not really me I’m worried about,” he argued.
I allowed my relief to flourish and smiled. “That’s what helps me know we’ll all be okay. You’re still you.”
“Sure,” Lyra muttered. “We’ll be fine until the High Witch arrives to smite us all.”
I ignored the Elder. The High Witch hadn’t shown her face yet. I wasn’t convinced she was as all-knowing and powerful as I’d been told.
Besides, I had just turned a man into a witch. I wasn’t sure I cared how powerful she was.
???
Walker
Strength—magic—hummed in my veins and threatened to overwhelm me. It had been thrilling until I’d zapped Freya. Her small gasp of pain echoed in my ears, and I couldn’t tear my gaze from the red mark on her cheek. The worst part was she didn’t care that I had hurt her. Cadence surged forward and retreated in a constant battle with herself not to hug me. I wanted to ask about Dad, but I feared any more powerful emotions, and the magic would pour out of me without my control.
Freya’s coven surrounded us. All of them eyed me warily, though I couldn’t blame them. Something was wrong. I remembered the battle, the Bloodblade, and Gwendolynn Moonflower’s vague offer of second life, but none of that explained the magic heightening my senses and heating my veins.
Freya inched closer but didn’t attempt to touch me. “You’re a witch.”
I laughed and recited her own words. “There are no male witches, Freya.”
I waited for her to laugh in response, but she just stared at me with uncharacteristic wariness. Cadence watched me with a grin so wide, it probably hurt.
“Witch?” I repeated dumbly. “Like a magic-wielding, female creature?”
“Well,” Freya mused and crossed her arms. “I can’t assign your gender, but yes to the magic-wielding part. You must feel it, cowboy. That thrum in your veins? You know what it is.”
“H-how?” I could barely form the word.
“It was the only way to save you,” Cadence said. “You were dying, Walker.”
I was dead. I didn’t correct her. Her obvious anguish over my brush with death was tragic enough. When I’d been offered a second life, I definitely hadn’t considered becoming a witch. I’d just barely gotten the hang of being a witch hunter.
Beggars can’t be choosers.
“Still not really sure how you did this,” I said, “but thanks.”
“There will be plenty of time for gratitude,” an older witch declared. Gloria? “Let’s get out of this goddessdamned place. It’s been a long day.”
“I would advise you to stay at the apartments tonight, Heir,” a long-haired witch adorned in velvet robes advised. She scrutinized me. “In case you need help leashing your pet.”
With that kind sentiment, the Elder muttered a spell under her breath and disappeared into a swirling, bright portal. Other members of Freya’s coven portaled away in pairs, until only Cadence, Freya, and I remained.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Cadence threw herself into my arms. Luckily, as I’d grown more comfortable being back in my body, my magic had calmed too. What was once a steady thrum of power now settled under my skin, like a muscle waiting to be used. The magic of the world itself didn’t overwhelm me, and I almost felt normal.
Human.
Feeling certain I wouldn’t hurt her, I hugged my sister back. My arms engulfed her. I couldn’t believe she was still so small and young. I wanted to take back my near-death from her memories, as well as the awful images from the battle, but I couldn’t. Well, maybe I could now that I was a witch, but I sure as hell didn’t know how. She wouldn’t want me to anyway. Cadence was tougher than I gave her credit for.
Over Cadence’s shoulder, I peeked at Freya. She drooped like a wilted flower. Lavender circles hung under her eyes, which fluttered closed then sprang open once more.
“C’mon, Cady-Cat,” I said. “Let’s get out of here.”
Hooves thundered past, and Freya jolted.
“Arion!” she called. “I really don’t have the energy to chase you, friend.”
I snorted at the thought of anyone chasing Arion. Luckily, the familiar galloped at lightning speed to Freya’s side. His black coat glimmered, and his amber eyes shone. From one step into the next, he transformed into his calico cat form. His long, muscular limbs, shrank and contorted. It was always mystifying to see him shift but seeing his huge, lithe body shrink while feeling his magic ripple through the air was on another level.
Arion stretched and arched his fluffy, calico back then hopped into Freya’s lap and hissed at me.
Freya giggled. “He still doesn’t like you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered, but something about that comforted me. I couldn’t imagine a world in which the demon-cat and I actually got along.
Cadence and I stood. I was afraid I would be unbalanced, but my body moved the same. When Freya attempted to get to her feet, I reached to help her. She hesitated, and I flinched. With an eyeroll, she slapped her hand into mine.
“I’m not afraid of you,” she said. “I’m merely allergic to chivalry.”
I tried to act unbothered, but her words soothed my worries. I only hoped she was right to trust me. Memories of the battle grew clearer and clearer the longer I was awake. I recalled the dangers of turning someone Freya had recited to Josephine.
As I I still held Freya’s hand, I decided to save my concerns for later. Unable to stop myself, I squeezed it before letting it go.
“We’ll have to take your truck,” Freya said. “I don’t, um, I don’t think riding Arion is good idea. You were just resuscitated after all.”
I considered making her admit she was clearly too tired to ride, but the girl had just brought me back from the dead. I’d lay off heckling her for a day or two.
As we walked, Freya stumbled. Freya never stumbled. Something tugged in my chest and before I registered what I was doing, I swept her into my arms. She gasped, and Cadence whistled.
“Damn, big brother,” Cady praised. “Becoming a he-witch has made you bold.”
Though I’d have to put a stop to he-witch before it became a thing, I just laughed because Freya was laughing too. She was light in my arms—even lighter than I would’ve expected, despite her short stature.
“You used all your magic to save me,” I told her. “I feel great. Let me carry you before you fall and ruin your epic exit from the battlefield.”
“It’s kind of already ruined,” Freya said and sighed, “but whatever.”
I walked faster to the truck. Freya must’ve been truly exhausted if she wasn’t putting up more of a fight. When we reached the side of the house where my old blue truck was parked, I realized she’d fallen asleep.
“You think she’s okay?” I asked Cadence. I opened the passenger door with one hand and slipped Freya into the seat. Arion jumped in behind her.
“She will be,” Cady said. “We all will be.”
As the sun crested the horizon, I prayed my sister was right. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this pocket of peace would be short-lived.