Unveiled: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Three by Betty Legend (recommended ebook reader txt) 📗

“That was cute, little witch, but weak.”

Reaching his hands out, copper-colored magic swirls out of his palms. Roots emerge between the railing, wrapping around my ankles. Coming forward, he unzips his jeans. Fear surges through me, and I outstretch my palms, fire magic swirling in them.

“What will you do with that? Roast some marshmallows?”

Creating a blazing fire between us, I block his approach. A malicious stare tightens his mouth and narrows his eyes as he walks through the fire, the flames singeing his jeans.

“That’s not enough to stop me from getting to you,” he growls.

Aiming his hands at the fire, a mist emerges, stifling the flames. Coughing, I lower my hands to the roots and burn them to ash. Running out of the foggy cloud of smoke, I’m slammed to the floor, the weight of his body heavy on me.

“Running isn’t going to stop me from catching you. I’m a predator, and you are my sweet little prey.”

Turning me over, he pins my arms above me, and his wolf fangs descend beneath glowing predatory eyes.

“Do better. If I truly wanted to hurt you, you’d be dead.”

Garrett climbs off me and lowers his hand for me to take it as his eyes return to solid amber.

“I’m not just here to spend time with Killian and get to know you. I’m here to push you and give you an adversary to practice your magic against.” His tone is normal, like the man I met and hung out with last night. With a wiggle of his wrist, he insists I take it. “I don’t want to fuck you, Selene, but I needed to push your buttons and see what you could do.”

Grimacing, I take his hand and stand as my brain tries to make sense of this.

“Whose idea was this?”

“Mine, but I told Killian my intentions. None of the men who love you are going to use their full strength of magic against you, but I will. You can practice against me and my brothers and learn to use your magic to fight.”

“You could have started with that.”

“I needed to see how you respond under pressure. You fought first, but then you ran. You can’t run when you’re fighting demonic predators or murderous fanatics. You have to be the strongest and last the longest in the fight.”

“How do you know so much about this?”

“A lot of prior training.” Garrett shrugs with a tilt of his head. “So, you ready to try this again?”

“What if I hurt you?”

“Then you’re doing something right.” Garrett pulls his long, auburn hair back in a bun. “But I wouldn’t worry. I can heal quickly.” He gestures toward the yard. “Time to show me what you can really do.”

Joining him in the yard, I nervously await what he plans to do. Keeping my palms out and magic simmering beneath the surface, I watch his movements. Spinning slowly, palms out, magic flows from his hands toward the dirt. The ground beneath me vibrates, the dirt splitting. I think about running, but instead, I throw magic at his feet, knocking him on his ass and cutting off the magic he’s putting toward the earth. The dirt stops splitting, and he smirks. Seconds later, he’s on his feet shouting at me.

“Better.”

Magic bursts from his hands and he aims it at the ground. Beneath me vibrates as rocks pull up from the earth, and my eyes widen as they rise off the ground. Throwing my hands up, I aim my magic at them and use water magic to pummel the rocks at Garrett. Before they hit him, he waves his hands, and the rocks instantly drop to the ground.

“Enough defense! Fight me!”

“Damn it, Garrett. I don’t want to hurt you!”

Throwing his magic at me, I’m slammed to the ground, my breath knocked out of me as roots slice into my flesh, their strength tightening around my limbs. Moments later, a snarling wolf is stalking in a circle around me. Lunging forward, he aims a clawed paw at my face as he growls. Dodging my face away from his swing, anger boils up within me. With the right words cast, the roots evaporate into air. Turning on my side, I launch a massive fireball at him. He yelps as it burns through fur. With a guttural scream, I raise my hand, blood magic a chaotic swirl in my palm. Releasing the magic at him, his body drops to the ground lying in a fetal position as blood coats his white and ashen fur. When he cries out, I pull back my magic, my breaths coming out in heaves.

Three wolves run out of the woods, their bodies morphing into men. Concern tightens their features as they run toward us. Looking back at Garrett, he’s shifted to his human form, lying on his back groaning, blood and ash sticking to his skin. Killian rushes to my side as Garrett’s brothers go to his.

“Damn it, Garrett, you were supposed to wait for us to get back.”

Garrett laughs, and it gives me relief. “Right, so you could wolf out when it got violent.”

Killian growls before returning his attention to me. His arms and incredible scent envelop me, settling some of the adrenaline rush.

“Are you all right?” Looking me over, he takes in the scratches on my legs and arms, his amber eyes glowing with ferocity.

“Calm your wolf, babe. He’s right. You would’ve been too protective while we fought.”

Sitting me up, he soothes my aches, moving his hands and magic over my body, healing the wounds.

“I still want to kick his ass.”

Pulling him to me, I kiss him, my tongue mingling with his. Against me, his tense muscles relax, and he lays us back down, his hand sliding up my side.

“You know just how to calm my wolf.”

“I do.” My fingers curl through his hair as I push my center against him. “You’re sexy when you’re protective.”

Stroking my face and hair, he stares down at me, his eyes full of adoration.

“The more my love grows for you,