Shadow Bend (Witches of Sanctuary Book 3) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  GET (5) FREE READS EVERY FRIDAY!

  Shadow Bend

  Witches of Sanctuary Series

  Book Three

  Savannah Blevins

  Shadow Bend

  Copyright © 2017 by Savannah Blevins.

  All rights reserved.

  First Print Edition: September 2017

  Limitless Publishing, LLC

  Kailua, HI 96734

  www.limitlesspublishing.com

  Formatting: Limitless Publishing

  ISBN-13: 978-1-64034-220-0

  ISBN-10: 1-64034-220-6

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  GET (5) FREE READS EVERY FRIDAY!

  Chapter 1

  THE FALLEN

  Paw prints decorate the fresh snow at my feet. They skim across the dead leaves of the forest floor through the tight maze of trees in the distance. It’s so cold. The brisk morning air stings my lungs, and the chill bites at the exposed skin at the nape of my neck. I quickly follow Romeo’s path, tucking my damp hair beneath the hood of my jacket. He snakes around the trunks of the giant poplar trees with ease. His long tail is the only thing visible as I rush to catch up to him. He knows where I want to go. We’ve been taking the familiar path through the forest around the lake to Seraphina’s house since the summer, but today it’s more urgent. The tall mountains mask the sunrise from the sky, casting shadows through the branches. It will eventually melt the dusting of snow that fell during the night, but I can’t ignore what the sight of the white flakes represents.

  The Winter Solstice is only a week away. I have seven days to perform the Spell of Iniquity and save the Haunted from the darkness that will return for them. I can’t bear to think Julien’s name. The memories of losing him are so fresh and still very much real in my heart. The ache burns inside of me, even though I know Julien is alive, probably waiting on me this very moment at Seraphina’s house.

  The visions of him as a monster on that rooftop in Charleston and ruthlessly slain and bloody on Main Street flicker in the back of my mind like a lightbulb threatening to burn out.

  Seven days until the Winter Solstice.

  I cannot fail him again.

  The Changing completed in Erika weeks ago, which means she should be awake and temporarily free of the darkness that has kept her mind and body hostage all these years. We need her to complete the spell, or at least, we need an artifact that is in her family’s possession—a chalice. It’s most likely hidden in the Prescott’s Grand Hall. My pace quickens at the thought. I have my doubts on whether this free Erika will be willing to help us. According to everyone who knew her, Erika’s temperament has always been a little dark. She will comply though, willingly or not.

  I spot the giant oak tree that signals the end of the path. Standing next to it, Reid shoves his hands in his pockets. Romeo reaches him first, winding back and forth between his feet. He leans down and pets the top of his head.

  Reid has cut his hair since yesterday. The long ends around his eyes are gone. It’s still as untidy as ever, because shorter or not, Reid can’t seem to leave it alone. He stands back up, his expression flat as he predicts my first question. “She isn’t awake yet.”

  I don’t make the effort to frown. Erika couldn’t be awake yet, or someone would have called me. I wrap my arms around Reid, hugging him close to me. His body is warm, as if he’s been standing next to the fire. I soak it in, too happy to see him to care about much else. “My bed was lonely last night.”

  He smiles against my temple. “We didn’t get back until early this morning.”

  I look up at him, my lips brushing against his chin. Reid went to Charleston with Julien and Lyric, searching through all of Francois and Roux’s old things, hoping they might have left a clue as to where or how we might find the things we need to complete the Spell of Iniquity. Apparently, the old apple tree next to the Raven’s Tower Julien thought would produce the black fruit isn’t the right tree. “What did you find out?”

  “Lyric found a map of Sanctuary that he thinks might help us navigate the caves to find the Bessette family spring.”

  “That’s good news, at least.”

  He pulls back slightly. “And Julien and I had a long talk.”

  I hold the breath in my lungs for a moment, waiting to see if he will continue. When he doesn’t, I lean back so I can see his face. “I thought you two already made an arrangement.”

  “We did. And I won’t interfere with your friendship. I’m not so convinced that Julien can keep his end of the bargain.”

  I glance around us. The end of the path comes out into Seraphina’s backyard, and I want to make sure no one can hear our conversation. “Why do you say that? He promised he wouldn’t interfere with our relationship.”

  “I don’t think he would do it intentionally, Willa. But—he loves you.” Reid’s gaze lands on the ground, and his hands leave my waist to go to his pockets. “I knew he did. I mean, that much is obvious. But he told me why he loves you.”

  I try to keep my shoulders firm and confident. “I was the first person who trusted him.”

  “This entire time, I’ve been angry with him because you are my Moon. Fate put us together, and he was this complication that just kept getting in the way of that.”

  I eye him warily. “But now?”

  Reid kicks the snow with the tip of his shoe. “After listening to him talk about you, I can’t help but wonder if maybe fate sent you to Sanctuary for both of us.”

  I try not to smile. “Reid…what are you trying to say?”

  “I said I wouldn’t interfere with your friendship with him, but I didn’t mean it. Hell, I didn’t mean it even a little bit.” He takes in a deep breath and allows it to gush out. “Now I do. I just thought you should know.”

  I touch his cheek then kiss his warm lips. “Thank you.”

&
nbsp; “He won’t be able to keep his promise, Willa. He’ll try, but eventually, he will fail.”

  I pat Reid on the arm and kiss his cheek. “I’ll deal with him.”

  He nods, removing his hands from his pockets to squeeze my waist. “I’m going to go get a couple hours’ sleep. Will you call me if Erika wakes up?”

  “Of course.”

  Reid kisses me again before he takes the path back to my house. Romeo and I make our way through the yard. I sneak in the back door, and Romeo darts to the kitchen. Abby has been leaving him treats next to his water bowl. I veer off up the stairs because I want to see Erika. In fact, I want to be the first thing she sees when she wakes up.

  And she better be damn grateful for the privilege.

  If she wakes up. I’m starting to doubt it at this point.

  I quietly open the door to the bedroom. A slight, frail form lies in the middle of Seraphina’s massive bed. Erika doesn’t look like herself. Nothing like the monster on Main Street who ordered a knife into Julien’s heart. Her once perfectly placed blonde hair is wild and uncombed. Her dress is dirty, and her feet are bare. Resentment and anger boil under my skin the longer I stare at her calm features.

  Will that ever go away?

  We need Erika to save the Haunted, but the bitterness roaring inside of me wishes there was some other way. Some way to save Julien without, in turn, saving Erika Prescott too.

  Zeke’s face pops into my mind. It always does when I make death wishes on his sister. Erika is nothing like my friend though. She is no hero. There is no bravery and selflessness in her like there had been in Ezekiel Prescott. But still…I owe Zeke my life. Despite my prejudice, I will pay my debt through his sister, the one Haunted soul that doesn’t want to be saved.

  “I know,” a voice says, and I step into the room to find Julien there. He sits on the edge of a plush velvet chair, his elbows on his knees and fingers twisted together. The heavy fabric of the curtains drapes over the window, blocking most of the light. One small beam of sunshine streaks across the dark hardwood floor to the tips of Julien’s shoes. “I’m still angry too.”

  “She killed you.” My voice is barely audible. That memory of his blood-stained chest causes my fingers to press against my own. I couldn’t heal his wound no matter how hard I tried. “Without Sadie’s potion…”

  Julien stands, and in an instant, he’s in front of me. The light from the window grazes his face, highlighting his jet-black hair. “I know, Wilhelmina.”

  His cotton shirt is soft. It’s only then I realize I’m touching it. My hand on the point where the knife broke the skin. We both have scars now. Permanent reminders of a curse…a darkness that dwells in all of us.

  I take my hand away, too scared to let it linger. Ever since I stood in the circle with Reid and read the words from the spell, there’s been this sense of urgency beating in my heart. I have to save him again.

  I can’t lose Julien a third time.

  “You have to stop.” His fingers brush my cheek. So gentle and strong, yet vulnerable.

  “Stop what?”

  “Looking at me like that.” He leans forward, his other hand resting on my hip. “Like we’re back in the chapel.”

  I move away from him because he’s right, and I hate him for it. I walk over to the window, but I don’t move the curtain. I stand in the darkness, my closed eyes inches away from the velvet fabric. If I were alone, I’d cry.

  Julien’s voice is soft behind me, as if he’s moved further away. “Sometimes I regret coming to your tent that day.”

  It hurts.

  So many bad things happened to him because he talked to me that day last summer. He took on his father’s curse to save me. He turned himself into a monster, and now, if I don’t succeed in ending the curse, he’ll die for it.

  The door opens, the light from the hallway flooding into the room. Julien holds it. “Would you go on a walk with me?”

  I hesitate, and he shoots me his infamous, irresistible Cote grin.

  “Please?”

  Erika remains as unconscious as ever on the bed. She won’t wake up anytime soon. I don’t agree to his request, but I walk toward the door. He might die because of me. How can I refuse him?

  The house is quiet even though it isn’t empty. I follow Julien outside to his Jeep. He’d been to see his grandmother Rebekah before his trip to Charleston to retrieve all his old things. It was the first anyone had seen or heard from Rebekah since Julien was kidnapped by his father last summer. His vehicle in the drive should be a welcoming sight, if not for the task that lingers in front of us. “Where are we going?”

  He opens the passenger side door. “Raven Ridge.”

  I pause, pulling my jacket tighter around myself. “I thought we weren’t going there until this afternoon.”

  Julien’s expression is even and unwavering. “Like I said…I would like to take a walk.”

  Again, I hesitate, the pain flickering so quickly across his face that someone else might not have noticed it. “Do you need to ask your boyfriend’s permission to be alone with me?”

  I frown at him. Julien and Reid agreed to play nice with each other, but it seems to only count when they are in each other’s presence. When alone with me, their disdain for each other always seems to shine through their fake smiles. I roll my eyes and start to get in the passenger seat. “Don’t be a jerk.”

  Julien catches the back of my jacket, holding me still inside the frame. His lips are tight and his gaze is focused on something behind me. “I don’t mean to be. I’m sorry.”

  I take a deep breath to keep myself from scolding him more. “It’s okay.”

  His gaze rises to meet mine. “I’m not accustomed to being jealous.”

  I smirk slightly at him. “This isn’t new behavior, Julien.”

  He doesn’t return my smile. “It was different before. There was hope for us then.”

  There’s so much I need to say to him, but Seraphina’s driveway isn’t the place. There are surely curious eyes watching us in the windows. Maybe it’s best we finally have a private conversation. It seems to be overdue. I get in the seat and put my hand on the door. “Let’s go.”

  He simply nods and rounds the front of the car. I quickly grab my cell phone out of my pocket and text Reid. I don’t need his permission to spend time with Julien, but there is evil still in Sanctuary. Someone needs to know where we’re going in case something bad happens.

  Willa: Julien is having a bad day. Going to Raven Ridge. Meet you guys there at noon.

  Julien gets in the car the same time I stick my phone back in my pocket. He doesn’t look at me as he starts the car. “What did he say?”

  “Who?”

  He backs the Jeep out of the driveway, glancing at me briefly so I can see the lack of amusement on his face. “You texted him.”

  It isn’t a question. I straighten my shoulders and buckle my seatbelt. “Only because someone should know where we’re going. We can’t just disappear.”

  “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

  I glance pointedly at him. “And look where that got us.”

  He bites his lip as he drives under the thinning canopy of trees out of Frog Hollow. “I don’t see it like that.”

  “How can you not? You said yourself, you regret talking to me that day at the festival.”

  “I said sometimes I regret it.” He stares out the window, his gaze dead set on the road, intentionally trying not to look at me. “Hell, Willa. I didn’t think it was possible for someone like me to fall in love. But I did. I want to regret it, but I can’t. Those days with you changed my life.”

  “For the better?”

  He rolls his eyes, clearly mocking me. “I would do it all again for what we have.”

  His use of the present tense doesn’t go unnoticed. I don’t respond, and Julien doesn’t push the issue. He would…eventually. He is still Julien Cote, after all.

  The sun peeks above the mountains, but I huddle tight in my
jacket. Winter is around the corner. The brisk air bites at my skin, despite the heater blowing warm air at me. Julien parks in the spot at the top of the ridge, and I get out. He tucks his hands in the pockets of his jeans and looks at me from underneath his dark lashes. “I still think about the first time we came here together.”

  I can’t deny the smile. “I did enjoy riding on the back of your bike.”

  His lips softly purse, the blue in his eyes twinkling in that mischievous way that suddenly makes you a victim of your own lust. “If I live to see the spring, will you take a ride with me then?”

  I eye him closely, not answering his question on purpose. “If you live? Do you not believe I can save you?”

  He starts to walk away, and I rush over and catch his hand. His fingers intertwine with mine as if it’s exactly what he wanted and expected me to do. “I believe in you, Wilhelmina. I always have.”

  “Then why the sad face today?”

  His gaze drops to our hands, where his fingers brush across the chipped ends of my rainbow nail polish. “I see the way you look at me.”

  I grit my teeth but manage to keep my expression neutral. “And?”

  “You would do anything to save me.”

  “I’m still waiting on your point.”

  He leans in, placing his lips next to my ear. “The look on your face when Erika stuck that blade in me, it haunts my dreams, Willa. I don’t want to ever cause you that kind of pain again, but I know…I’m completely certain if the tables are turned and it’s me having to watch you die to save me…” He looks away. “I can’t, sweetie. I know you will do anything to save me, but I can’t let you.”

  I jerk his jacket, forcing him to look down at me. “You will let me do what is damn well necessary, Julien Cote.”

  My words do nothing to persuade him. He simply grips my hand tighter. “I wanted to take this walk because I want to make things clear between us in case things don’t work out.”

  “Julien—”

  “You will survive this, Wilhelmina. If it means letting me go, you have to live.”