Magicorum Box Set (Books 1-5)

19. Chapter Nineteen

19

Chapter Nineteen

Knox

My inner wolf growls in my head. “Find mate. Save mate.”

He’s wrong about the “mate” part. Still, when it comes to finding and saving Bryar Rose, my wolf and I are definitely on the same page. For the last hour, I’ve been trying to get past this forest of thorns and reach Bryar Rose. Alec and Elle stand nearby.

It took the three of us all night—along with a ton of wizard spells—to find out where Philpot took Bryar Rose. But we did it. She’s not far from this very spot, in a place called the Thornhill Arms hotel.

So far, so good.

About two hours ago, Alec cast a transport spell for all three of us to come here. We couldn’t get right into the hotel itself—it’s shielded with too much magic. Instead, we landed beside the boundary between this enchanted thorn forest and some regular woods. Since then, we’ve been pacing along the borderline, trying find a break in the thorns. All you need is one path through magic like this, and you can get through. But whoever cast these thorns is a master. We haven’t found a single break.

I stare at the black and twisted branches. The thorns here are razor-sharp and enchanted to attack anyone who enters the forest. An hour ago, I stuck my hand in, and my palm got skewered. Sure, I have the shifter power to self-heal, but even then, I can only handle so much.

Elle and Alec step closer. They’re both wearing jeans, T-shirts, and hiking boots. Of course, Alec is also sporting a suit coat that’s packed with tons of pockets for his gemstones. He thinks that wizards who carry around man-bags of jewels look like losers. I have to agree with him on that one. Also, it advertises who you are, which isn’t too clever either.

I stare greedily at the thorns.

Sure, those things look killer. But they’re what’s keeping me away from Bry. She needs help, right? I’ve got to do something. Maybe I should just jump in and trust my powers of healing. Anything’s better than standing around. Besides, when I stuck my hand in before, I was in human form. What’s the point of being a warden if I don’t test my limits every so often?

Alec steps up to my side. “I know what you’re thinking.” He lets out one of his long-suffering sighs. “I don’t like this, Knox.” Still, I know Alec’s sighing routine. He won’t stop me.

“Look, I’m going in. That’s not up for discussion. You can watch my back or take off.”

He sighs again. “You know I’ve got you.” His face looks pale, though. Between casting all those spells to find Bryar Rose and bringing us here, my friend is wiped out. A small part of me says that if things get tough, he might not be able to heal me.

I decide that little part is wrong. Time is running out. By sunset, Bryar Rose will lose her wolf. Some things are simply worth taking a risk. I give Alec a playful punch on the shoulder. “Thanks, man.”

Elle steps closer to Alec. “Can’t we talk him out of this?”

A muscle jumps along Alec’s jaw. “No. Trust me.”

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.” Now that the decision is in motion, I can’t wait to get started. Setting my hands at the waistline of my leather pants, I prepare to strip.

Alec sets his hands on Elle’s shoulders and turns her away from the “Naked Knox Show.” Whatever. If she’s going to hang with Alec and me, she’ll eventually see my junk. It’s just how life goes when you’re a shifter.

The moment I’m bare, my wolf bursts through my flesh. It’s like being torn apart from the inside out. Agony explodes inside me. My bones crack, and muscles snap. Fur replaces skin as my hands change into claws. It’s over in a heartbeat, which is some kind of record for me.

The moment my transformation’s done, I leap straight into the wall of thorns. My claws rip through the thick branches. There are too many of them though. Faster than I can tear them apart, the branches loop around me from head to toe. Thorns spike through my hide and stab me in a hundred places at once. Pain radiates everywhere.

A moment later, I’m surrounded in red light. I’d know that particular shade anywhere. Alec is casting a spell. The branches loosen from my body. The thorns retract from my skin. Elle grabs my back paws and hauls me out of the wall of thorns. I look like a bloody pincushion. At least I’m alive.

But I’m no closer to Bry.

Alec leans down beside me. His face looks pale. Black circles droop under his eyes. “That was close. I almost lost you.”

I get that he’s bummed, but I’m too busy healing to care right now. My fur is pretty much soaked in blood. Changing back will hurt like hell, but it’s the best way to get cleaned up and healed so we can keep on looking. Glancing over at Elle, I chuff out a low breath. That’s all the warning she’s getting that I’m about to transform into a naked dude.

Alec’s been around me enough that he knows exactly what happens next. He leaps to Elle’s side and angles her away from me once more. My body slowly starts turning back into a human. Every snap of bone and tear of skin is excruciating. Still, it’s better than running about as a blood-soaked wolf. Within a few minutes, I’m back to my regular human self, only fully healed and dressed. Only, recovering from those thorns took a toll on my inner magic. Normally, I’d rest for a few hours before going on. That won’t happen today, though.

Bry still needs my help.

A faint shimmer of silver dust fills the air. Someone is coming, and that someone is definitely a fairy.

Alec and I exchange a confused look. “Anyone expecting fairies?” I ask.

“Not me.” Alec turns to Elle. “How about you? Could that be one of Bryar Rose’s aunties?”

My mouth thins to an angry line. I don’t know much about Bry’s aunties, but they seem to be far too concerned with her marrying that Philpot for my taste. Having them around will not be helpful.

“I doubt it,” says Elle. “Bry’s aunties aren’t powerful enough to transport here. And even if they could, they’re three self-centered skanks. They’d never bother.”

I smirk. “No, what do you really think?”

The glitter comes into focus. A human outline appears, and whoever this is, it’s definitely a guy. Elle pops her hand over her mouth. “I know this fairy. It’s Colonel Mallory the Magnificent.”

I’m not thrilled about this news, but Elle said that this fairy dude might actually want to help Bry. At this point, I’ll take any aid we can get.

The fairy dust finally congeals into what looks like an older version of Clark Gable. He wears a black suit, white shirt, and wide-brimmed hat.

“Colonel Mallory the Magnificent, at your service.” He sets his hands on his hips and surveys the wall of thorns. “I see you’re having the same troubles that I am. Can’t seem to get through to Bryar Rose.”

I eye him carefully. He seems legit, but you never know with fairies. They always have an agenda. “Why are you looking for Bry?”

“You seem to have an interest in my girl.” He gives me one of those sly Southern smiles.

I make sure my eyes glow golden, just so he knows who he’s dealing with. “Answer the question, fae.”

“I never cursed Bryar Rose, if that’s what y’all are thinking. I saved her. And if you needed any further proof, it would be in the fact that I’m standing on this side of the thorn forest. So, let’s get down to it. Have you found any breaks in the magic?”

“No,” says Elle. “And we’ve been looking for hours.” Her shoulders slump. “You haven’t found a way through either, I’m guessing.”

“That would be no, sugar. I’ve cast about every spell I can think of today, but whoever did the thorns in this here forest, they used the power of a hundred fairies. I couldn’t break through, and for me, that’s really something. Even worse, they cast a spell against dragon shifters. I consider that downright rude.”

“So they knew you might be coming.” If anything, that fact confirms this Colonel Mallory guy is legit. I’m starting to wonder if Jules himself had a hand in abducting Bry. This kind of scheming around fairy tale themes is classic for him.

Colonel Mallory taps his temple. “We need to come up with another plan, children. I’m afraid that means leaving here for a time. We need more power.”

“No way. I’m a strong werewolf. Alec brought a bunch of gemstones. And Elle has a fairy-seed gun.” It’s a beauty, too. The thing shoots off enchanted seeds that turn into nasty killer plants. As fairy magic goes, it’s one of the few inventions they have that adjusts to modern technology.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but we need to go back to the city and get more magical help.”

“We already called in a ton of favors,” I say. “Alec got his hands on some super-powerful gems. Elle got herself a special gun. I asked Azizi to send an army of weres.”

Colonel Mallory sighs. “And how did that work out for y’all? From where I stand, we’re no closer to Bryar Rose.” He taps his nose with his pointer finger. “And I smell blood in the air.”

“I tried to pass the thorn forest in were form. It didn’t go well.”

“Now, you did that without wizard protection—that would be your trouble. I know for a fact that this young man—” he points to Alec— “knows some powerful wizards. They could cast some better protections for you than gems can provide. Also, having all them weres drive out here? Not too subtle. You’d also do better to have extra sets of hands to cast transport spells. That means more wizards, my friend.”

I can’t but notice he isn’t suggesting we find more fairies. At least, that part of his plan makes sense.

“Colonel Mallory may have a point.” Alec turns to me. “You already made a pact to muster the wolves. At least, this will get them here faster. And we can transport in the best from around the world.”

Azizi was thrilled when I asked for his help with Bry. He’s been dying to get me to lead the werewolves. He’d never force me, though. But when the pack shows up and helps me with Bry, I’ll be indebted to all of them. They’ll howl for me to be their alpha.

Colonel Mallory holds up his stub of a cigar, takes in a deep breath, and exhales a bit of flame onto the tip. He takes a few deep puffs from the smoke, his eyes lost in thought. “Sorry, son. I’m afraid our best bet is to return to the city forthwith. I can transport y’all, if you like.”

All eyes focus on me. An electric anticipation hangs in the air. I know they’re waiting for me to make the final call here. Do we leave Bryar Rose? I rake my hands through my hair.

I want to believe there’s something else we can do, but I can’t think of a damned thing. “Fine, we’ll go back to the city.”

This is the right thing to do, so why do I feel like howling with rage? We could bribe the wizards and summon werewolves in a matter of hours. Or it could be days—weeks, even—before we can return with enough power to break into Thornhill Arms.

Please, let Bryar Rose still be here.