Spring Rain (The Witchling #4)(69)

Beck gazed down at her, not expecting her to admit she needed him after her flat denials about protecting him. “You’re not safe here, Morgan.”

“Together, Beck.” She searched his gaze. “You said we can do this together.”

He smiled, touched by her willingness to help him, and cupped her cheek in his hand. It was dangerous for her to remain, dangerous for her if Dawn wasn’t dealt with. He didn’t know what was the smartest decision, but he knew he’d rather have Morgan close than risk someone finding her if he sent her away.

And … he couldn’t lose her again. “Okay. Together.”

She wiped her face with one hand. “Thank you for … Gordon.”

“We protect each other, right?”

“Right.” She drew a breath, her vulnerability replaced by determination. “Look.” Her magick surged. Instead of taming it, Beck let it flow through him, cautious of the moment when she lost control.

She lifted one hand. It blazed blue then purple then pure, blinding light. She threw a flame into the air over their heads – and it soared back to the source of Light. He felt the tiny surge of magick as it dropped into the pool of Light beneath the school, a drop in a lake, but a drop large enough to cause ripples that moved through him.

“Did you just …” Beck drifted off, staring first at the school then at her. “My god, Morgan.”

She nodded. “But I can’t control it. Sam says only you can. I can burn hot enough to create Light, especially when I’m upset. Which is kind of often.”

Beck kissed her, astonished by the ability he didn’t know existed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and surrendered instantly, her body molding to his and her fire magick accepting his earth without resistance.

“Yo.” Connor sounded unhappy.

Remembering they were in the middle of the driveway, Beck lifted his head without releasing Morgan. Breathing heavily, they rested their foreheads against one another.

“I know you’re dating my sister and you are the Master of Light, Beck, but I’ll still kill you if you do anything to hurt her.”

Beck smiled. “I won’t. I promise.”

Morgan managed a smile in return, her trembling gone though he saw the troubled expression that hadn’t quite left her.

Cold rain began to fall, and Beck looked up. The black clouds were at the edge of the driveway, closing in on the school.

“I know where I can take you for now,” he said. “It’s close.” Without waiting for her to object, he swept them away with his white fog and took her to the tree house where he’d been staying during their separation. He released her when they materialized. Concern replaced all other emotion as he looked up. The cold rain was here, too, and where it hit the ground, puffs of black fog resembling Decker’s shadows popped up.

“This isn’t natural,” Morgan said and bent to run her fingers through the fog.

“It’s not,” he agreed. “I’m not sure how we’re supposed to take on Dawn or what this is.” Rain avoided him and the fog shied away as he walked, bending to his Light.

“If we capture her, we can protect your baby.”

“And Bartholomew?”

Morgan hesitated. “Maybe we can cage him, too, with the soul stone then bind it to keep him there.”

I don’t think it’ll work that way. He wasn’t able to reject or fully accept Sam’s insistence Dawn was gone and only Bartholomew remained in her body. If it were true, then there was no way to separate Bartholomew’s soul from Dawn’s, and both were too far gone to survive if Morgan tried to burn the Darkness out of them. “Where the hell is Decker?” he grumbled and pulled his phone free. His twin hadn’t responded to him yet, but he had a note from Summer and one from an unknown number whose identity he didn’t have to guess.

I’ve got Decker and Biji. You want them to live? Come to Miner’s Drop.

Biji’s in trouble, Summer texted.

Beck paled. “I have to go.”

“Beck, I can help!” Morgan insisted.

“You will.” He touched her face once more. “But there are certain things only I can do. I promise to come back to get you when it’s our time to work together.”

She was gazing up at him with the same odd expression he had twice seen on Amber’s face, as if she realized it was the Master talking and not him. Morgan kissed him lightly on the lips.

“Together,” she reminded him. “Or you’re cut off.”

He laughed, startled by her fiery claim. “Something tells me that’s not true.” He winked. “But I’ll be sure to obey you just in case.”

“Go on. Leave me here in the forest with your pet bigfoot.” She stepped away.

He had the urge to stay, to kiss her until she melted for him again. There was nothing more arousing than her complete surrender, the sweet-spicy mix of fire and trust that left him fevered. Everything about Morgan, from her challenging gaze to her small pout and the scent of both of them on his skin left him yearning for her with need he had never experienced before. He wanted … needed to claim all of her, her body, fire, soul.

With difficulty, he shifted away. “I’ll be back.” His senses were too filled with her for him to manage anything more romantic. Before he changed his mind and stayed, Beck left.