Love, Lies & Blood Ties - Whitby Shadows Series Book 2

Chapter Twenty-Three

We didn't watch any Midsummer Murders. We sat at Dad's desk and scoured through the journals. I knew exactly what I was looking for—the spell to unbind my magic. After scrutinising two of them, I still hadn't found what I wanted.

"Hey, look at this," I said, nudging Luke and pointing to the current open page.

He took one look at it and widened his eyes in fright. "I actually thought you were joking."

"I kind of was," I said, giggling. "I made that up about Joanna, but it looks like someone has actually turned male genitals green."

"Someone in your bloodline," he said, moving his chair away from me.

I laughed. "Calm down. You've not upset me that much. Yet."

He gave me a nervous look from the corner of his eye and continued looking through the journal in front of him. "As fascinating as it is looking through old witch diaries, it would be helpful if you told me what you were looking for."

I sighed. "You have to promise not to get mad."

He narrowed his eyes. "That means it's stupid and you know it." I cleared my throat and pushed my journal towards him, still open on the page for green genitals. "Alright, fine. I won't get mad."

I shook my head. "Say 'I promise'."

He sighed and rolled his eyes. "I promise I won't get mad," he said, his tone nothing but sarcastic.

"I'm looking for a spell to unbind my magic."

He opened his mouth then immediately closed it. His whiskey brown eyes filled with nothing but worry.

"I have to, Luke. I need to release my mum's memories. And considering what I'm up against, I can't afford to have a disadvantage."

Letting out a long breath, he said, "Maybe you should release your mum's memories first. Then you'll have a better idea of what it is you're up against."

"I can't do that without magic."

"I'll shut up then," he said, chuckling.

"The witches, one in particular, wants my power. If I don't comply with her, she'll kill me and take it anyway."

He snorted. "Like hell she'll even get close enough to kill you."

"I appreciate the gesture, Luke, but she's powerful. Dad called her a demon."

Curiosity flooded his eyes. "What's her name?"

"Keres."

He scrubbed his hands over his face. "That's the one name I didn't want you to say. Remember I said I knew who the crazy old lady was? That's her."

I shook my head. "It's not. They look nothing alike."

"You don't think she could change her outward appearance?"

My heart skipped a beat. "Then I have even more reason to unbind my magic. Didn't you say something about Gordon being hired by her?"

He nodded. "I would bet my last penny that she's hired Gordon to follow you. If you don't bend to her will, she'll use him to get what she needs."

"But he can't hurt me, he's related to Marcus."

Luke smiled. "What he forgot to detail was that Gordon can hurt you, he just can't kill you."

My throat ran dry and my heart started pounding. "Wait, what?"

"He can take your blood without killing you."

I started shaking. I hadn't expected this. Knowing Gordon was out there, lurking in the shadows, watching my every move, it filled me with fear. A ball of nausea knotted together in my stomach.