Destined Magic Read Free Page B

Council.
    Last night, s everal suspected blood-magic coven members, including Gabriella’s sister, fled down the fire escape, while the Guardians were taking the others into custody. The mission would not be considered a success until all the coven members were caught.
    Gabriella was his best lead on where her si ster and the others might go. Getting her to agree to help find her sister for the Witches Council was another matter.
    Sighing, Garrett pulled out the nullifying bracelet from his pocket , another condition of her remaining in his care. The steel bracelet engraved with magic symbols interwoven with knots would have been pretty, if its effect weren’t so frightening to one of his kind. He slipped it over Gabriella’s tattoo. It would keep her from using any magic until he released the catch himself. She would hate him for taking her powers away.
    He knew what it felt like to reach for your magic and find nothing . Part of the Guardians’ training regime consisted of removing your magic for one day. He remembered the first moment of panic when he realized a huge part of his soul was missing.
    Gabriella would feel very vulnerable and off balance. He didn’t know her well enough to know exactly how she would react. The fact that she was his Destined One made matters worse.
    At least , they weren’t bonded yet, so he wouldn’t suffer from her losing her magic. When Destined Ones bonded, they could pull power from each other as well as share their elements. He lightly caressed her cheek, hating himself for the misery he was causing her.
    Leaning down , he feathered her lips with kisses as he released her from the sleeping spell. He continued to kiss her as her eyelids fluttered and she slowly came out of the influence of the spell. She sighed, and he deepened the kiss, needing to taste her and show her some of what he felt.
    She stiffened , then pushed him away. He pulled back from her, stood up and looked down at her, still lying on the bed. From the panic that came into her eyes, he knew the instant she realized her magic was missing.
    “What have you done?” she screeched at him, tugging on the bracelet around her wrist.
    “I’ve protected you the best way that I could. I warned you there would be consequences for helping your sister.”
    “My magic . It’s gone. Have you stripped me of my magic?” Her voice filled with horror as she started to shake.
    “No. It’s only temporary. You’re my Destined One. Do you really think I would strip you of your magic?” Garrett longed to comfort her, to hold her in his arms. She was terrified. He reached out and took her hand and was glad when she didn’t pull away.
    “I feel so cold, so empty. I can’t take it, Garrett. G ive it back. I need my magic.” She stared at him, the shock in her gaze striking his heart.
    “Gabriella, I can’t. The council has decreed that your magic will remain nullified until we take your sister and the rest of her coven into custody. I had to fight to keep you from being locked up. As it is , you are under house arrest and have been placed in my care. If you cooperate and help us find your sister, I will take you with me when I go out to look for her.”
    “If I don’t?” she asked , her gaze going from bleak to icy.
    “Then , you will remain in the house under guard until I get back. The quicker your sister is caught, the quicker you get your powers returned to you.”
    “How long have I been asleep?”
    “Just one night. I would have told you if it had been longer.”
    Gabriella nodded her head and turned away from him. Garrett didn’t want to be in this position. She was his Destined One, his one true love. He wanted to hold her and cherish her, not torture her. Nullifying her powers would wear her down until she either gave in to his demands or went insane. Either way, she would come to hate him. He lifted one of the blankets at the foot of the bed and covered her quaking body.
    “Ella, I know this is a terrible