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“Cennetig.” From the door of the house, Nita stepped into the clearing.
She raised her hands and wove a spell, flinging it at them. The magic
twisted into vines in the air, which reached toward them.
Eva flinched, unable to think of a counter-spell fast enough.
The spell shattered inches from her face with a crack that smelled of
mildew and November leaves. Shaking, she stepped back and bumped
into Cennetig. He steadied her with a hand on her waist.
Nostrils flaring, Nita lifted her head. Her hands moved in complicated
patterns as if she were weaving spells in the air but nothing happened.
Why wouldn’t her spells work? Nita could turn into a freaking bear. All
the years of research and working in the field of Native magic fled Eva’s
understanding.
Nita scowled. “What bargain protects you?”
Cennetig laughed and straightened the crown on his head. His hand
came away with blood. “I am under an obligation to this mortal. She
wished to be brought to you and I could not say no.”
Holy— The crown bound Cennetig to Eva until he returned her safely to
the mortal world. No wonder the price he asked in return was so low
and no wonder he wanted to claim the reward after she was back. He’d
turned their contract into an insanely powerful protection for himself.
For the first time, Nita seemed to see Eva. Her gaze burned with the
intensity of the sun. “Why do you protect him, mortal? Are you here to
murder more of my people?”
LE PORTRAIT MAGAZINE
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