ENZO

RAVENSWOOD

As night fell, I left a note for Heath and the others about my quest to find my sister, leaving a few clues I hoped like hell they could decipher if things went south. My heart hammered as I entered the dense forest behind the school, the trees looming over me like judgmental giants. I needed answers, consequences be damned. The scent of damp earth filled my nose, and the breeze picked up, rustling the leaves, warning of an impending storm. I pushed through thorny bushes, my muscles straining, and winced as a sharp pain pierced my head. The perimeter was unstable, likely due to the battle with Maroni and his minions.

Finally, I reached an ancient oak tree, its knotted branches stretching out like crooked fingers. I clutched it, using it as support to steady myself against the push of the wind and unpredictable magic. The markings carved into the bark glowed faintly, guiding me deeper into the woods. The air grew colder, whistling through trees in menacing whispers. No doubt deliberately spelled that way. The barrier lay ahead, glimmering weakly to those who could see it. For those who couldn’t, all they would feel is a strong sense of ‘get the fuck out of here, fast.’

I took a deep breath and focused. Thunder clapped overhead, and lightning flashed across the sky in such an obvious warning, I almost laughed. That was some cartoon villain shit right there. Ignoring it, I traced the runes carved into the tree trunk, feeling the rough bark vibrate as I poured energy into it, commanding the earth to part.

The earth beneath me trembled as an invisible force resisted my effort, but I didn’t relent. With one final push, the barrier weakened, and I stumbled through, landing on the other side, knowing I was going headlong into a trap. Still, relief washed over me as I found Anna, sitting cross-legged on the ground. Her eyes were closed, her face passive. She was safe, but something was off about her.

An icy wash of dread pebbled my skin as I moved closer, and dread turned to horror when she opened her eyes. The green had been overtaken entirely by a glowing red.

“Enzo... I’ve been waiting for you,” she said, her voice rough.

I wanted to scream, shake her, howl to the sky. And I wanted to run. But most of all, I wanted to grab my little sister and hold her in my arms, and taking away all the bad that had ever happened to her.

“What has he done to you?” My voice broke.

“You didn’t come in time,” she accused, sounding like Anna, but not like Anna. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Guilt shattered me, but I had no time for it. I grabbed her hand, flinching at the feel of her skin, now cold as ice.

“I’m here now,” I whispered harshly, my jaw tight, “and I’m going to get you the fuck out of here.”

“There’s no point now. You’re too late.”

“Like hell.”

Fueled by anger, I pulled her up and nearly retched when I was hit with a smell like rotting meat that mixed with her usual smell of soft perfume. Maroni had used dark magic on her, but I didn’t know what kind. I pushed the fear away, focusing on moving swiftly through the forest, trying to ignore the sensations clawing at me. Anna didn’t look right. Didn’t feel right. She was too passive. But there was no time to think - only run. Ahead of us, a portal opened, and Carlo’s men stepped out.

“Maroni’s orders,” one of them sneered, grabbing for Anna.

I lunged, knocking him aside, feeling the satisfying crunch of his nose breaking under my fist. But there were two more of them, and their blows landed hard.

“Fool,” one of them spat, “you’ll never get out of here alive. Maroni has people everywhere - Ravenswood school, the coven itself.”

I spit the blood from my mouth. “Watch me, motherfuckers.”

We fought dirty, teeth and nails and fists flying. No mercy. The scent of sweat and blood mixed with the sting of pain. The ground became slick with it until I could barely stand. I felt numb, hollow, somehow both too hot and too cold. And all the while, Anna stood by silently watching, as if none of it had anything to do with her.

I channeled my rage into every punch and kick, every curse and counterspell. Maybe I would get us out of there after all.

As the last attacker fell, I turned to Anna, ready to run, but something had changed. Suddenly, the last one who had fallen clutched his throat, foaming at the mouth. It wasn't my magic. I gave myself a short, mental shake. I didn’t care what happened to him.

I stepped over him and grabbed Anna's hand. She was trembling, but there was life in her eyes now. We ran through the forest, making our way to the secret exit my friends and I made two years ago. I thought we might have a chance to escape now, but where to go? My heart pounded like a jackhammer in my chest, but I pulled Anna close and started moving fast. She gasped for breath, leaning into me. We were surrounded by shadows, and I used them to our advantage, darting between trees and low brush until we were nearly there. I took a second to jerk out my wand—no time for texting—and mentally sent an SOS to Heath, asking him to release the spell on his eastern portal when I gave the signal.

As soon as I opened the portal, Anna’s eyes glowed red again. She laughed, a maniacal sound that tightened my skin. I hated myself for what I had to do, but I didn’t have a choice. I knocked her out with a curse. She crumpled into my arms like a ragdoll, and I jumped through, immediately destroying the opening behind us.

“What the hell?” Heath yelled, but I was already running toward the house, unsurprised that he had called in Tor and Rye whose faces mirrored his shock.

“Dungeon, now,” I shouted, and they fell in behind me, racing across the ruined lawn then down into the manor’s basement.

Heartsick, I surveyed the cells, stomach tightening in dread when I saw Harold. “Find one like his,” I commanded Heath, jerking my chin toward his uncle.

“What the hell?” he repeated. “What’s going on.”

“I’ll explain as soon as she’s safe. We need maximum security. Both inside and outside her cell.” My voice faltered a little on that last bit, and Heath sprang into action, blasting open a cage-like cell near Harold. I thought my heart would burst into a million pieces as I laid her gently on the lone, rough cot then left to close the door.

“What the fuck is going on?” Torin whispered. There was a look of compassion in his eyes I’d never seen before.

Then it hit me - this must be how he felt when we’d had to lock up his dad. Damn. Never thought I’d feel kinship with that dude.

I swallowed, and told them the story, my eyes never leaving my sisters still form.

Heath looked at me, concern etched on his face. “What do we do now? She’s not gonna be able to stay down here forever. You know Maroni’s probably got a tracking spell on her.”

I huffed. “No shit. That’s why the maximum security. And why I destroyed your portal.” My lips twisted in apology. “Sorry man.”

He nodded, but it was clear he was worried. His face was pale as he considered the two people behind bars.

“I think we’re going to have bring my parents back,” he said slowly.

Riley’s head turned to him sharply. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

“They have a right to know about Harris, at least,” Heath argued. “Let’s face it guys, they’ve been working with unconsecrated shit a lot longer than we have. They might know things we don’t and be able to help us, because clearly, we’re out of our league here.”

“Yeah, they might. Or they might try to take over,” Torin said. “Let me ask my dad first. He might know something.”

“We still don’t know everything about why he’s here either,” Heath reminded him, his deep voice sounding like he was sorry that he had to say it.

We all looked at each other, knowing Heath was probably right, but Torin had a point too. But if we don’t tell them, it could be worse.

I crossed my arms over my chest to keep from punching a wall. My head ached from all the battles and emotional drain of the past few hours. “Why don’t we start with Tor’s dad then tell your parents if he can’t help.”

After a beat of silence, he nodded. “All right. Let’s go. I don’t like staying down here any longer than I have to,” he said, shuddering.

I couldn’t bring myself to leave Anna—once more feeling that kinship with Tor—but Heath assured me that between the spell I’d put on her and the spells in the cell, she would be fine for a couple of hours, and we didn’t have time to spare.

The tension in the air was palpable as we made our way upstairs to the main house, dreading the confrontations and confessions to come. None of us knew exactly how Heath’s uncle had died, which in itself was suspicious. I couldn’t imagine what they were going to do when Heath dropped this bomb on them. A half-smile pulled my lips. I kinda wished I could be there to see their faces.

My smile disappeared quickly. I really hoped Tor’s dad would come through for Anna before that happened.

Or better yet, that Sierra would come back and do a Hail Mary for us all.

CHAPTER 8

RILEY