Essential Magic by T.M. Cromer

Author:T.M. Cromer [Cromer, T.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TM Cromer

Chapter 17

Ryanne and her three warlock escorts walked in on Autumn’s colorful tirade. From what little she’d heard, Ryanne could guess the anger was mainly directed at her missing sister. Spring’s mournful expression and the pained, sickly look on Nash’s face also spoke of the dire situation.

Knox took his wife aside and, in a low voice, asked, “What happened?”

Spring shot Ryanne an apologetic glance. “Rylee escaped, but not before sealing the cursed necklace around Nash’s neck.”

Ryanne slowly spun to look at Nash, who sat at Alastair’s desk, his head resting in his hands. As if he sensed her regard, he lifted his head. The bleakness in his eyes nearly destroyed her. Never once in the two years she’d known him had she seen that look on his face. Her heart plummeted, and she rushed across the room to his side. When she would have embraced him, he held up a hand.

“No. It’s alive. This necklace is somehow alive. I can’t take the risk that it will sting you,” he said hoarsely.

“Oh, Nash,” she whispered, shoving down a sob. Even knowing her sister was responsible, she needed him to tell her it was a mistake. “Please tell me Rylee didn’t knowingly do this to you. Please.”

His grim look confirmed her worst fear.

“Why would she do such a thing?” she asked, dismayed.

Nash closed his eyes and pressed his lips together. One of his hands rose as if to touch his chest, but he balled it into a fist and slowly lowered it to his side.

She dropped her eyes to the base of his throat and blinked twice to clear her vision and to make sure what she saw was real. Even as she watched, the jeweled scorpion shifted and dug deeper into his skin.

“Ohmygod!”

Spring approached and laid a hand on Ryanne’s shoulder. “I was about to go back to my workshop and find him something for the pain.”

“Thank you,” Ryanne said tearfully. “I…” There were no words. Nothing she could say to take away the horror of her sister’s actions to one of the Thorne’s own. How could Rylee have done this? And Nash, oh, dear God, poor Nash. He was showing remarkable control now, but soon enough, he’d be writhing in pain.

She checked the top of the desk for the journal and saw nothing. “Where’s the journal? I’m almost positive I remember reading that there was a way to remove it from a person’s neck. Where’s the book?” Her tone had turned shrill, and she started opening and slamming drawers in her panic.

“Ryanne, stop.” Spring gripped her hands. “Rylee took the book, too. But it wouldn’t matter if she hadn’t. She cast a spell on the necklace to seal it in place and to accelerate its merging with his body.”

“I don’t understand. I can’t… I…” Sobs shook Ryanne, and she slid down the wall to sit on the floor.

“Leave us for a little bit, please.” Nash’s voice was coated in suffering, and yet he urged the others to go as he knelt beside her to offer comfort.

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