Read Online Witches Be Burned: A Magic & Mayhem Novel by Stacey Kennedy - Free Book Online
Authors: Stacey Kennedy
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would anyone do it?”
“To gain a higher power,” Zia explained. “While the witches who work for the Council’s Guard all have strong abilities, not every witch is gifted so well.” She gave Astoria a long regard, her lips pressing into a firm line before she returned her focus on Nexi. “Maybe jealousy plays a part, but some will do anything to be stronger. That includes abandoning the elements to receive it.”
Unimaginable.
The elements were now part of Nexi.
To turn her back on her gifts to gain a higher power was unfathomable. Then again, she didn’t have to. The elements had gifted her with powerful Fire and Air magic. She could burn a vamp where he stood without touching him or cage him so he couldn’t move—how could she not appreciate that? “What involvement would Astoria have with these vampires? Why stay here to watch them murder Trefan?”
“I don’t know,” was Zia’s hard reply. “And that is worrisome.”
The personal connection between Zia and Astoria was clear-cut in the haunted look crossing Zia’s expression. “You have history with her, I’m taking it?”
The moonlight shone down on Zia, amplifying the soft, delicate lines of her face. “We had some trouble with her many years ago when she first came into her black magic. Sadly, the power she wields left us unable to destroy her.” Darkness drifted into the depths of Zia’s normally bright eyes. “Our forces were equally strong and she couldn’t defeat us, either. After that night, she vanished without a trace. And she’s been quiet ever since.”
Nexi shivered, unsure if it came from the breeze or from what Zia had declared.
“Christ.” Kyden’s curt voice blasted from behind Nexi. She spun around to face his wide eyes as he added, “That witch was the one whose scent vanished at the assignment earlier.”
Odd coincidence. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Very sure.” To Zia, Kyden asked, “Theories on why she’d watch that vampire in bloodlust and also take part in Trefan’s murder?”
“I have none whatsoever.” Zia shook her head, sending her long hair flowing over her shoulders. “What could Astoria possibly gain from murdering a guardian, or from watching a vampire fail to complete the transformation?”
Nexi didn’t know, either, and she didn’t like it.
She studied Astoria, memorizing the witch’s features and wondering about the connection to this all. More questions rose than answers, which simply sucked. Sliding her glance to Zia, she went with what she did know. “If you couldn’t destroy her, she’s extremely powerful, I take it?”
As the strongest witch in either world, Nexi couldn’t imagine anyone being able to go against Zia and walk away from it. She was completely kick-ass with her defensive magic. And who knew what Zia meant by
we had some trouble with her many years ago
—as immortal creatures that stopped aging at thirty years old,
many years
could have been centuries ago.
“Astoria holds extreme power,” Zia replied, voice grim. “When a witch accepts dark magic, it consumes her with a power that’s limitless.” She hesitated, and her expression soured. “It troubles me that she’s here.”
A witch with limitless powers?
Nexi nodded. “No shit!”
Zia’s lips parted, but Haven’s sharp cry had Nexi spinning around. The sight of Finn sticking the tip of his sword into Trefan’s stomach filled Nexi with such profound grief that she wobbled on her feet.
Then all that remained in the quiet night was the moonlight casting a glow over the field and the freezing sadness coursing through Haven and Nexi’s bond.
Chapter 4
The shimmering blue light pooling out from the portal faded and the squeeze of the vortex ceased as Kyden stepped through, last. He shut the heavy wooden door and then led the group through the Council’s Foyer and beneath the arched doorways of the Council’s Hall.
With a tight chest and a heavy heart, Kyden entered the large cathedral. The
“To gain a higher power,” Zia explained. “While the witches who work for the Council’s Guard all have strong abilities, not every witch is gifted so well.” She gave Astoria a long regard, her lips pressing into a firm line before she returned her focus on Nexi. “Maybe jealousy plays a part, but some will do anything to be stronger. That includes abandoning the elements to receive it.”
Unimaginable.
The elements were now part of Nexi.
To turn her back on her gifts to gain a higher power was unfathomable. Then again, she didn’t have to. The elements had gifted her with powerful Fire and Air magic. She could burn a vamp where he stood without touching him or cage him so he couldn’t move—how could she not appreciate that? “What involvement would Astoria have with these vampires? Why stay here to watch them murder Trefan?”
“I don’t know,” was Zia’s hard reply. “And that is worrisome.”
The personal connection between Zia and Astoria was clear-cut in the haunted look crossing Zia’s expression. “You have history with her, I’m taking it?”
The moonlight shone down on Zia, amplifying the soft, delicate lines of her face. “We had some trouble with her many years ago when she first came into her black magic. Sadly, the power she wields left us unable to destroy her.” Darkness drifted into the depths of Zia’s normally bright eyes. “Our forces were equally strong and she couldn’t defeat us, either. After that night, she vanished without a trace. And she’s been quiet ever since.”
Nexi shivered, unsure if it came from the breeze or from what Zia had declared.
“Christ.” Kyden’s curt voice blasted from behind Nexi. She spun around to face his wide eyes as he added, “That witch was the one whose scent vanished at the assignment earlier.”
Odd coincidence. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Very sure.” To Zia, Kyden asked, “Theories on why she’d watch that vampire in bloodlust and also take part in Trefan’s murder?”
“I have none whatsoever.” Zia shook her head, sending her long hair flowing over her shoulders. “What could Astoria possibly gain from murdering a guardian, or from watching a vampire fail to complete the transformation?”
Nexi didn’t know, either, and she didn’t like it.
She studied Astoria, memorizing the witch’s features and wondering about the connection to this all. More questions rose than answers, which simply sucked. Sliding her glance to Zia, she went with what she did know. “If you couldn’t destroy her, she’s extremely powerful, I take it?”
As the strongest witch in either world, Nexi couldn’t imagine anyone being able to go against Zia and walk away from it. She was completely kick-ass with her defensive magic. And who knew what Zia meant by
we had some trouble with her many years ago
—as immortal creatures that stopped aging at thirty years old,
many years
could have been centuries ago.
“Astoria holds extreme power,” Zia replied, voice grim. “When a witch accepts dark magic, it consumes her with a power that’s limitless.” She hesitated, and her expression soured. “It troubles me that she’s here.”
A witch with limitless powers?
Nexi nodded. “No shit!”
Zia’s lips parted, but Haven’s sharp cry had Nexi spinning around. The sight of Finn sticking the tip of his sword into Trefan’s stomach filled Nexi with such profound grief that she wobbled on her feet.
Then all that remained in the quiet night was the moonlight casting a glow over the field and the freezing sadness coursing through Haven and Nexi’s bond.
Chapter 4
The shimmering blue light pooling out from the portal faded and the squeeze of the vortex ceased as Kyden stepped through, last. He shut the heavy wooden door and then led the group through the Council’s Foyer and beneath the arched doorways of the Council’s Hall.
With a tight chest and a heavy heart, Kyden entered the large cathedral. The
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