Eliza Gayle Witch Bundle (paranormal romance) by Eliza Gayle (free children's online books TXT) 📗

want any excuses, but the question of why would linger if he didn’t get to ask.

“I didn’t have a choice.”

He whirled at Jake’s voice. “Don’t give me that, there is always a choice.”

“He has my sister. I think he is stealing her magick.” The silence in the room was deafening.

“You have a sister?” Why that information struck him so hard he wasn’t sure. But he could remember many nights when they talked about their families and not once had Jake mentioned a sister.

“Half-sister, actually. Same mother, different fathers. Mother was a witch.”

“But you aren’t magickal. You don’t have the gift.” He was confused how his sister could be magickal and he wasn’t. Magick was always the dominant trait in offspring.

“Well, thanks. I think I know that. In fact, I've have been reminded of that all my life.” Jake walked over to the couch, sinking down into the smooth leather seat. “I know keeping this from you was wrong, but I didn’t know what else to do. The Reverend is pure evil and his tactics for getting what he wants are ruthless. I don’t imagine what all she is enduring in his captivity but my cooperation at least keeps her alive until I can figure out what to do.”

“Sister or not, you betrayed me. You could have come to me. Told me the truth. When have you ever not seen me help someone in trouble?”

Jake shook his head. “You underestimate what he is capable of, Denn.”

“He’s my fucking uncle, you think I don’t know what he’s capable of?” He dragged his fingers through his hair roughly. “This is getting us nowhere. Arguing about it doesn’t change a damn thing.” He turned to stalk from the room, slamming the door on his way out. “I’ve had enough for one day?”

“The last time I didn’t do what I was told, I had to watch an innocent woman be drained to her death,” Jake whispered.

Raven watched Jake slump against the couch as Denn left them behind. Her heart wrenched for them both. She knew exactly how Jake felt, a prisoner to a sick and twisted man. She’d put most of her free energy into avoiding the man herself. But there were times when no amount of magick or desperate attempts to hide could save her from him. Now she had to help Jake and Denn. They’d saved her. She doubted either one of them knew just how much. Scott had grown weary of her insubordination and his final warnings to her had been clear. Stop fucking off or she would be sacrificed. And he sure as hell didn’t mean he’d kill her in some quick and painless way either.

“I’ll talk to him, Jake. Hopefully he’s a little less pissed off at me right now to listen.”

“No, let him go. He’s right, you know. Despite the consequences I should have told him the truth before now.”

“No, Jake, you had every right to fear Scott and what he’d do. I of all people understand exactly what that man is capable of. I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it.”

Jake looked up at her, clear questions in his eyes. “What did he do to you, Raven?”

“It doesn’t matter now. What matters now is making Denn understand and then figuring out a way to get your sister back.”

“Tell me what Scott did to you.” His quiet demand unnerved her.

She brought her legs up on the couch and curled herself into a familiar ball. She didn’t want to talk about it. Hell, she wasn’t even sure she could but her mouth opened and somehow the words tumbled out anyway.

“I used to be far more powerful. The coven I belong to took me from my parents when I was only three years old and worked with me to learn and hone my craft. When I was a teenager, I went through a rebellious stage, I even ran away from the coven. I hooked up with a couple of kids my age and started using my magick on my own. Long story short, I got into some trouble with the law and that’s when Scott found me. I thought he was a really nice man when I first met him and I believed every word he said when he told me that I was special. He wanted me to become the most powerful witch of my generation he said. So he returned me to the coven with strict instructions about my training.”

Clenching her jaw against the memories, Raven surged to her feet. She hated taking a stroll down memory lane.

Jake came up behind her and rested his hand on her shoulder. “Did he hurt you?”

The anger in his voice caught her by surprise. She swung around to face him and found the planes of his gorgeous face marred by rage. “It’s probably not what you’re thinking. He didn’t beat me like he did some of the other woman. “On my eighteenth birthday he picked me up to celebrate. He took me to a fancy restaurant and even let me drink some wine. Then instead of taking me back to the coven, we drove to his estate. It’s there he cast a spell and began to siphon off my power.”

For a brief second she swore she saw relief flash across Jake’s face before a new outrage returned. “So he did hurt you.”

Raven turned to the window and watched the lightening strike the courtyard. She had to get her emotions under control or she’d destroy Denn’s lovely home. “I won’t like. It fucking hurt like hell. I thought I was going to die that night. Hell, I prayed for death.”

“Jesus fucking Christ, Raven. How many times has he done this?”

She stared into the black night, the sound of her past screams filling her head. “Three times,” she answered. “The next time will be the end.”

“Raven.” Jake started to wrap his arms around her and wriggled out of his reach.

“Don’t. I can’t take your pity.”

“But—”

Raven whirled on him, ready to do whatever it took to stop