Enchantment Read Free Page B

She didn’t have years. A sense of urgency tugged at her, and it drove her wild that she couldn’t remember why. She ran a hand through her long hair, pressing her scalp trying to force herself to remember. Finally, she gave up and glanced across at where Callum sat on the swath of grass, his fingers stroking the fronds. He glanced up and caught her gaze.
    “Do you really believe I’m Casterix returned to you?” she asked.
    She thought he would answer immediately. Instead, he studied her, his head tilted to one side, for long minutes. “You have no look of Casterix—she was tall and slender, with dark hair; she had the look of a warrior woman.”
    “And I don’t?” She sounded miffed, but she’d always hated the idea that she was so small. Another memory. Her mind was coming back to her, just not quickly enough.
    “No. But you do have a look of Jarrod about you.”
    “Casterix’s brother?”
    “Yes—her twin. He had dark red hair and green eyes like yours.”
    “So maybe I’m descended from their line.”
    “Perhaps.”
    ~*~
    She was dreaming. Of a man’s hands and a man’s mouth moving over her body, scattering kisses over her breasts and belly. Moving lower, tasting her skin so her muscles contracted in anticipation. Then the long, velvet stroke of his tongue probing her sex, lapping at the tight, swollen bud between her thighs. She wrapped her fingers in his long, dark hair and pulled him to her.
    She woke to find Callum leaning over her. The faint touch of his mouth lingered against her cheek, and she knew he had kissed her awake. Her body still tingled with the memory of her dream.
    “Have I slept long?”
    “Hours.” He handed her a steaming mug, and she sipped the hot drink. She felt no hunger or thirst in this place but the drink was comforting, and gave her a feeling of normality.
    “I thought we would try the mirror, see if you can direct the visions, and see what is going on in the world.” Callum had a theory that the mirror might somehow be used as a portal to the outside world. Now, she followed him down the narrow staircase, out of the tower, and to the edge of the sea.
    Dropping to her knees beside the mirror, she stared down into the polished silver. Nothing stirred, and all she saw was her own reflection. She plucked the pin from her cloak and held it to her thumb, but hesitated. “Did Casterix use her blood for casting spells?” she asked. “Is it normal?”
    “No. She could, but she had been trained to use other methods.”“Who trained her?”
    “The Order of Witches.” Her eyes widened and she shifted her attention from the mirror to Callum. “There was an Order of Witches?”
    “Oh yes. They must have been disbanded after Casterix...” He trailed off and she didn’t push him.
    Instead, she turned back to the mirror, pricked her thumb, and a drop of blood fell to the surface. It passed through as though the mirror was water then vanished without trace. A sigh of frustration welled up in her throat and she made to rise. Callum stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “Look.” The mirror was clearing, becoming transparent as she stared into the darkness beyond, and was transported to another place.
    Another body.
She stood at the top of a narrow staircase, her muscles aching from the climb. In front of her was a door inlaid with runes and pulsating with power. She touched her fingers to the ancient wood, awakening the magic. The heavy door swung open revealing a circular chamber bathed in starlight, and on a stone slab in the center of the room lay the Goddess, trapped in enchanted sleep. But she was restless; the magic that bound her weakening.
    Her lids flickered open. “You came,” the Goddess murmured. “I’ve been waiting so long. We do not have much time. Come closer.”
    She leaned in so she could hear the whispered words.
    “Arroway is dying. You must bring together the three witches with the mark. Only they can free me and save the land.”
    “Three