Atticus

“Dabriel,” I shout as I hold Winter to my chest while I pull on my magic to find him. I reappear just inches away from him.

“What happened?” Dabriel instantly asks as he takes Winter from me. She isn’t awake, and she’s barely breathing. I don’t feel myself move as I watch Dabriel glow white all over, to the point that I can’t see Winter anymore. I don’t look at anything other than the light, I feel Jaxson move next to me and put his hand on my shoulder but I don’t respond. What feels like years later, but is probably only moments, Dabriel dials down the glowing so I can see Winter. She looks pale and is still sleeping but Dabriel nods. That nod is all I need and I rest my hands on my knees as I take a deep breath. Jaxson goes over and strokes Winter’s hair away from her eyes.

“What the fucking hell happened to her, and why isn’t she awake?” Jaxson snaps as he faces me.

“A witch gave her a drink, it was poisoned,” I say as I straighten up. I thought I’d fucking lost her; I can’t lose her. Winter means everything to me.

“D, why isn’t she awake?” I say but the door slamming open again behind makes me turn to look. I notice for the first time that we are in the castle, in the kitchens. Dabriel was cooking when I came here as I spot the stuff on the sides. Wyatt, with Milo on his shoulder, storms into the room.

“Oreos?” Milo asks as he flies towards the cupboards. Wyatt storms over to us, his eyes completely silver in anger and leans over Winter when Jaxson moves out the way.

“Why is she sleeping?” he says.

“She is…” Dabriel starts but Milo interrupts as he chews on an Oreo.

“Dream calling,” he muffles out.

“Again?” Wyatt asks sharply, none of us reply.

“I’ll take Winter back to her room, we will wait for her to wake up,” Dabriel suggests, we nod and he walks out with her. I clench my fists, cracking my knuckles as I look at my friends.

“We have a witch to find, and I know exactly where to find her,” I say, words are not needed as Wyatt and Jax put their hands on my shoulders. I move us to my city, straight into the castle. The guards rush forward and I raise my arm, using my air power to swipe them across the hallway and they slam into the wall.

“No fun,” Wyatt smirks. I walk forward and slam the door to my old mother’s room open. I don’t expect it to be empty and completely ruined. Someone has set the place on fire; the windows are smashed and there’s nothing left. I can only hope her familiar was buried. Familiars die with us, their lives linked to ours. I have to ignore the painful lump in my throat as I look at the room my mother loved. It increases my anger as I walk out the room and down the corridor. The next two guards we come across rush at us when they should be running away. Two female dark witches call on fire and try to throw it at us. I blow it away with my air and hold the two witches in the air. Their hoods fall back as they try to escape.

“Where the fuck is Taliana?” I shout and they both don’t answer, loyal to their fake queen. I’m about to try different, harsher actions to get an answer when the bitch in question walks in.

“If you wanted time alone with me, you only had to ask, Atticus,” she purrs out.

“Not even in your dreams Taliana,” I sneer and drop the witches. I stalk over to her and stand inches away as I speak.

“Where is the witch who poisoned Winter tonight?” I shout.

“I do not know who you are talking of. I swore not to hurt her,” she smiles, a seductive tone in her voice as she moves closer. The scent of whatever perfume she’s wearing hits me and makes me feel sick. She makes me feel sick.

“Let’s go and discuss this privately, I can make you much happier than the human ever will,” she suggests and goes to place her hand on my chest.

“Do you think I would ever look twice at you? You killed my mother and I am in love with a woman who is a million times fucking better than you. Find the witch who attacked her or I swear I will kill you and any one that gets in my way. I am not playing fucking games anymore,” I say and I grab her hand to push her away.

“Fine, the witch is dead. I didn’t kill her, but someone else did. They used demon powers, destroying her home. I believe she was killed moments after she returned home.” Taliana says.

“I want to see,” I demand.

“I will take you,” she holds out a hand.

“No, just the address. I know my city like the back of my hand,” I say and her face tightens in anger. I’m glad I’m finally pissing her off.

“Fine but you will be mine, Atticus.” She says and tells me the address. I walk back to Jaxson and Wyatt who nod, clearly hearing all of the conversation. My brothers always have my back.

“How did you kill my mother? Dabriel couldn’t heal her,” I say and look back to meet her cold eyes.

“Demon touched weapons can’t be healed, and I will kill Winter with one as well,” she says and Jaxson’s growl fills the room. Dabriel starts glowing brightly and I debate whether it’s worth killing her.

“I will enjoy watching my queen kill you,” I say, and call on my power to get us out of here.

I move us to the street that Taliana said. It’s close to my own home and we walk down the quiet street until we find the home we need. A few witches in light hoods bow as we walk past. When we get to number seven, the house where the witch lived, it’s easy to see the evil that’s happened here. I wonder what Dabriel would see when he looks at a demon and reads their aura?

I walk in, as the door is open and the wards are down. The living room is destroyed, blood covering the walls and floors. Crystal powder is all over the floor, what a waste.

“I smell demon,” Jaxson says.

“Why would a demon do this?” Wyatt asks as he looks around the room in disgust.

“How did they get in the city is another important question,” I say.

“The witch is dead; she would have had an easier death if we found her first. She clearly suffered,” Jaxson gestures around the room. I take one more look at the room before we leave, Jaxson is right; there is nothing we can do here anymore.

I’ll wait until Winter wakes up and then we will plan a way to make the city safe.