I’d briefly wondered where the father was, but with that bit of information, I could make my own assumptions without dredging up the past.

  Charlie waved her fingers at Mack on her way out the door, following after me and Foster. Once we were outside and had confirmed no one was around, Charlie opened a portal that led directly in front of Beatrix’s house.

  Foster was at the front door first, knocking solidly. When we didn’t hear anything, he raised his fist again, but I grabbed his elbow.

  “Maybe we should just go home for the night,” I said.

  Before either of them could reply, magic rippled around us and the door opened, revealing a weary Beatrix.

  Her long, grey locks were frizzy around her head, and wrinkles had formed deep creases around her face. “What’s wrong now?”

  “We just got back from the pack,” Charlie said.

  Beatrix stepped aside to let us through. “Tell me everything.”

  Charlie was describing in detail the events over the last hour before we’d even sat on the couch. The longer she spoke, the more my skin itched. The need to draw power was strong, and I didn’t understand the sensations trying to control my actions.

  “That’s absurd. What was that alpha thinking?” Beatrix snapped when Charlie and Foster were done telling their versions.

  Foster’s chest rumbled. “He was thinking that he didn’t want his pack to think they weren’t safe within his territory and that the fewer people who knew what was happening, the less chance of information getting back to Moira. Just as you thought when you forced everyone in that room to keep what you shared to themselves.”

  Beatrix huffed and flicked hair out of her face. “Yes, but that was different. Regardless, we have another issue to concern ourselves with.”

  Foster narrowed his eyes. “What else should we be worried about other than Moira continuing to get close to us while we do nothing?”

  “Andie sucking the life out of people. You, in particular,” Beatrix deadpanned.

  I nearly choked. “Excuse me?”

  My stare went to Foster and Charlie, and only one of them looked as surprised as me to hear her words. “Did you know?” I asked Foster.

  He grabbed my hand. “I didn’t know that exactly, but I knew something wasn’t right, and not just because you’re a witch and I’m a wolf shifter.”

  Charlie leaned forward and pointed at Beatrix. “How long have you known? Is that what I felt when I was pulling the dark energy from her?”

  Beatrix nodded. “Since the day Andie saved Benjamin. Andie didn’t just pull the dark magic from him; she took it for herself. Now, that in and of itself isn’t abnormal, but the way her body reacted to the energy was. The overheating, the pulsing of her veins—that shouldn’t have happened. I’d read stories of her kind, but I’d thought that family line was nothing more than fable.”

  Foster’s hold on me got tighter. “And what kind would that be?”

  Beatrix met my wide gaze. “Andie isn’t just the last Bishop witch, she’s also a syphon witch. Something I now realize Junie knew and she kept it to herself, probably because Aspen had forced her to. While things just got more complicated, they’re also beginning to make more sense. Though, we’re still missing a lot of the important pieces we’ll need to understand what this means for Andie and possibly the effects the syphon part of her is having on the bond between the two of you.”

  Hearing all of that should have made me want to scream or cry, but I was tempted to laugh. After everything that had been happening, I was beginning to realize that I just needed to expect the unexpected and hope for the best. I knew I wasn’t always going to feel so strong, but with the shitty evening, I was choosing to keep my calm front and center.

  Beatrix paused, looking up, and closed her eyes. Her shoulders hunched and her lips turned into a frown. “I wish you’d trusted me, Aspie.”

  The old witch’s words were a mere whisper into the air, but they nearly took my breath away. Beatrix cared so much more than I allowed myself to see.

  I moved over and grabbed her hand. “You did all that you could.”

  She chuckled darkly. “I could have locked the two of you in the basement instead of letting Aspen leave with you after Henry was no longer around to provide the protection she knew you’d need.”

  “Well, yes. You could have done that, but I’m beginning to realize that’s not who you are at all.” I leaned my head against her shoulder.

  Beatrix bristled. “Of course it is. When that’s what the coven needs, then that’s what they’ll get, but enough about me. We need to stop what’s happening with your magic. Like how it’s trying to take from me even now, because it’s nearly tapped out the wolf.”

  My eyes landed on Foster, and my breathing became shallow. So much for keeping my calm. “Is your wolf okay?”

  He looked away from me, and pain emanated from him through our bond.

  “I’m sorry,” I said softly, afraid to go to him in case just being near him was causing things to be worse. How could I not have known what I was doing to him? Was I that oblivious to those around me? Or that wrapped up in my own problems?

  Foster was on his knees in front of me and holding my hands in the next second. “This isn’t your fault, Andie. You have nothing to be sorry for. There’s a reason I’m here, and we’re going to figure this out.”

  “He’s right,” Charlie said from across the room. “We didn’t get you back only to lose you again.”

  I glanced at Beatrix. “What do we do?”

  14

  FOSTER

  A syphon witch? I hadn’t even known that was a thing. Outside of assuming Andie could take magic from whomever she wanted, I didn’t know what else this meant for her or us—and I needed to know everything.

  Beatrix answered Andie’s question before I could ask any of my own. “We’re going to harness your ability and use it to take down Moira. She’s even more powerful than I realized if she can possess someone outside of her coven.”

  I moved back to the couch and turned toward Beatrix and Andie. “What risks will that come with for Andie? Even if this is who she is, taking on magic that shouldn’t exist can’t be safe.”

  My mate frowned. “I’m not really worried about me, Foster. We need to figure out how I can stop hurting your wolf before anything else.”

  Beatrix stood and went to a closet in her hallway that we could see from the living room. Though when she opened the door, the inside resembled a black void to me. She pulled out a book and brought it to Andie.

  “This has always belonged with the coven leader,” Beatrix said. “It has been passed through several generations of witches. I don’t think we’ll find what we’re looking for in here, but it’s worth reading. Your family spell books are where we should start tomorrow.”

  Charlie took a few steps forward. “Are they at Spell House?”

  Beatrix nodded. “We can go there after everyone has gotten a good night’s rest. It’s been a long day for all of us.”

  Andie squeezed my hand. “Is Foster safe to still stay with me?”

  “He should be, unless his wolf thinks otherwise,” she answered.

  Andie looked up at me with wide eyes, and her lips thinned. I brushed the back of my hand over her cheek. “I’m fine. I’m not leaving your side. My wolf is resting, and he’s not concerned.”

  At least, he hadn’t been the last time he’d spoken with me. I wasn’t going to call him forward until we had a solution.

  Her green eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Are you sure?”

  I nodded. “I promise.” I glanced at Beatrix. “We can take the book with us and go to Spell House in the morning, first thing?”

  “Yes, but let me try something before you leave.” She placed two hands on Andie, one on her thigh and the other on her bicep. “You’re going to feel like you’ve lost access to most of your magic, but I’m only muting it. This should help reduce any draining you might be doing without realizing it.”

  Andie nodded, and a few tears finally slipped down her cheeks. “Whatever helps.”

  My heart was racing, and I wanted to put my fists through a wall, but that wasn’t what Andie needed from me. I did my best to steady my breathing and push through the tunnel vision as I watched Beatrix cover Andie in silver magic.

  My mate shuddered and, within seconds, I could hardly sense her through the bond. It was as if she were dying, and my rage returned in full force.

  While Beatrix still worked on Andie, I stood from the couch and stepped outside. Charlie followed me and I swirled around, snarling at the witch to stop her from getting any closer.

  “Leave me alone, Charlie,” I snarled.

  She put both of her hands up and took a single step back. “She’s going to be okay. I just thought someone needed to remind you of that before you did something you couldn’t take back. You know, like tear through the coven.”

  I closed my eyes and lowered my head. I knew she was right. At least, I wanted to believe she was right.

  The need to pummel everything in my path was strong, and ignoring it wasn’t easy.

  “I can help if you’d let me,” Charlie said with one glowing hand still raised. “Just a little something to get you through the night. Andie won’t be able to rest if you’re not capable of calming down.”

  I’d never trusted a witch before meeting Andie. Had never let one use magic on me. The thought of allowing Charlie to do so now was hard to fathom, but when I pictured Andie’s tears and the terror in her wide eyes, I knew I didn’t have much of a choice.

  I gave Charlie a curt nod and unfurled my fists at my sides. She hesitantly stepped forward, keeping her magic-filled hand raised up so that she likely didn’t have to get closer to me than necessary. Smart witch.

  My eyes watched her every move, and the heat from her palm made a growl rip from my throat. She flinched but didn’t back up. Within seconds, the rage began to dissipate.

  I took a shuddering breath and met her stare. “Thank you.”

  Charlie smiled. “You’re welcome. Now get back in there and remind Andie that everything is going to be okay.”

  That, I could do. At least, I could now.

  What happened? my wolf finally asked.

  Too much, but Andie’s okay and we’re going to figure out what’s going on soon. Just keep resting.

  He made a grumbling noise and disappeared again.

  Shit. That was too easy. The wolf I knew never would have accepted that as an answer. We had to get through the books and find a solution sooner rather than later. I’d go through the one Beatrix had just given us while Andie slept, because even with Charlie’s assistance, there would be no relaxing for me.

  Not until Andie understood her powers and not until our bond was fixed. What we’d shared last night wasn’t going to be a one-time thing.

  I’d have my mate. All of her. For as long as I walked this Earth.

  Once we got home, I’d lain next to Andie for as long as it had taken for her breathing to even out, and then I was up and grabbing the coven book.

  Hours went by as I sat up in the bed, switching between watching Andie and scanning pages for any bit of information that could help. Not only did I not find anything helpful, I also didn’t find anything about syphon witches at all by the time the sun rose back into the sky.

  Though Beatrix hadn’t thought there would be anything inside the book, I had still hoped for something useful. My dwindling optimism didn’t get better when I thought about the task ahead of us at Spell House, either. If Junie had known what Andie was and had worked to keep it a secret, I didn’t assume she’d have left information that could clue people in where anyone could stumble upon it.

  Sure, not all of the coven had access to the attic where I’d seen the books, but enough of them did. From what I’d been learning about Junie, she’d been a witch who would have taken precautions we weren’t going to figure out until we really began digging for them.

  I decided to get dressed for the day before getting back into bed and waited almost another hour before Andie began to stir. I ran my hand over her arms, enjoying the way her skin shivered beneath my touch.

  Charlie’s spell had worn off, but it had given me enough time to get my head right without murdering anyone. So when Andie rolled over and smiled at me, I was able to return the gesture without it feeling forced.

  “Good morning, gorgeous,” I said softly before kissing her.

  She looked around the room. “You’ve changed clothes, but did you sleep last night?”

  “Why would you ask that?” I countered.

  Andie shoved against my chest. “Don’t answer a question with a question. It’s rude.” Her tone was serious, but a grin played at her lips.

  “I’m sorry, Mate. I rested and feel much better.” None of which was a lie, but I still hadn’t actually answered her question.

  She eyed me, not buying my bullshit, but let it go. “Has Beatrix called?”

  I shook my head. “Get dressed and I’ll let her know we’re up.”

  Andie rolled over and threw her leg over my hips. My dick perked up, but I regrettably shot down any ideas of things that could trigger our bond. That was when my wolf had begun feeling weaker. I wasn’t going to risk his wellbeing, no matter how much I wanted my hands on Andie’s delectable body.

  “Let’s get answers before anything else,” I said as softly as I could, then I pressed my lips to hers.

  Her lower lip jutted out, but I nipped at it and swept my tongue across the seam until she opened for me. My hands got lost in her hair while I tasted the sweetness of her mouth until she was panting beneath me.

  I pressed my forehead to hers. “To be continued, just as soon as we know everything is okay. I promise.”

  “I’m going to hold you to that promise.” She rolled out of bed with a huff, and I watched her ass until she closed the bathroom behind her.

  Once I was up, I grabbed my phone to send Beatrix and Charlie messages. Both replied instantly that they were ready when we were.

  Andie had been right the night before. Beatrix wasn’t at all who we’d thought she was. The attitude she exuded was seeming more like a wall she used to keep her real feelings at bay. After what we’d seen last night, it fit as an explanation for her frequent mood swings.

  By the time I was dressed, had a cup of coffee, and had tea ready for Andie, she came down the hallway. Her hair was in a knot at the top of her head, and she wore a loose, forest-green tee with black leggings.

  She noticed my appraisal of her outfit and shrugged. “We’re probably going to be sitting and hunched over reading all day. Figured I’d dress comfortably, at least.”

  I lifted her chin and handed her the tea. “Good choice.”

  She took the offered cup and rose onto the tips of her toes to kiss me briefly. “Where are we meeting Beatrix?”

  “She and Charlie will be here…” A knock echoed through the room. “Now.”

  Andie drank her tea while I opened the door.

  Charlie came through first, dressed nearly identical to Andie, but instead of a green shirt, Charlie’s was pink. She gave Andie a high-five. “Great minds think alike.”

  Beatrix walked between them. “Let’s hope that extends to your ancestors as well.” She appraised me next. “You’re in a better mood this morning.”

  I nodded at Charlie. “Thanks to her, you didn’t have to kick me out last night.”

  She hummed. “That might have been fun. Is everyone ready?”

  Andie finished her tea and headed to the kitchen.

  “I’ll go grab the other book from the bedroom, then we can go,” I said.

  Beatrix ignored me, and I quickly jogged to the room. When I returned with the book, the three of them were just walking out the front door, but Andie was last and looking back for me. She smiled, but the gesture didn’t reach her eyes.

  I made a silent vow to do whatever it took to find a solution to our problem that day. I wouldn’t let my mate suffer. Not if there was anything I could do about it.

  15

  ANDIE

  We arrived at Spell House, appearing in the yard first. I glanced around, and a sigh of relief escaped my lips at the realization that there was no evidence left of the battle that had taken place here just a month ago.

  Beatrix walked along the front of the yard with her hands out and humming quietly before she followed us inside. “Everything is secure.”

  I wasn’t sure if she’d done that for my peace of mind or hers, but either way, I was glad to hear it.

  When we walked inside, guilt assaulted me. I’d been meaning to come back here and get the items from the room Junie had left for me, but I’d been so distracted by my magic not doing what I’d wanted that I hadn’t yet made it back.

  Beatrix headed right up the stairs with Charlie behind her. I hurried to catch up with Foster not far behind myself and as soon as we got to the second floor, my eyes went to the room that was suddenly consuming all of my thoughts.

  Beatrix was busy opening the attic with Charlie there to help in case she needed any assistance with the stairs, so I took the opportunity to go back to the room Aunt Junie had left for me.

  Foster continued to follow closely behind me, and I twisted the handle to the door and walked in, leaving it open for him to come in behind me if he wanted. Everything was just the way it had been before with the light-pink walls, twin-sized bed, and the dresser with the music box on top.

  My fingers trailed over the box first, and I closed my eyes, soaking in the warmth of the room. A heaviness settled over my chest, and I let my feet continue to guide my movements.

  I opened my eyes when I stepped away from the dresser and headed toward the closet. Sliding the wooden door open, I covered my mouth and let out a quiet sob.

  Inside were clothes left behind from our old house, but not just mine. There were items from my mom and dad. Things I’d thought I’d never see again. Reminders of them I’d thought I’d never touch.