Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(96)

“Sam,” she breathed.

You cannot involve Noah in this, and I cannot allow Dawn to obtain the soul stone.

Morgan’s eyes watered. Where did that leave her when she couldn’t walk?

“What, Sam?” Decker’s angry voice made her spirits tumble. There was no way to pretend she was dead, if Beck’s brother knew otherwise.

Both of you listen, Sam started. Decker, she needs to go away. She’ll need your help and your silence.

Decker was frowning fiercely. “What are you involving me in and why?” he demanded.

Decker’s head was tilted, as if he were listening. Whatever Sam’s response was, Morgan couldn’t hear it. The Master of Dark’s gaze dropped to her and lingered.

“Fine. When this is over, you will tell me what a soul stone is, Sam,” he said finally.

Now for you, fireball, Sam sounded far more cheerful than Morgan thought their situation warranted. I can heal minor injuries such as yours. The rest you must do.

He knelt beside her, one furry hand resting lightly on her injured shin. She jerked. Familiar earth magick swept through her.

Morgan lay perfectly still, afraid of causing more pain. Her body fixed itself from the inside out. Her shin, the bruises, her hands. Everything but her exhaustion was restored. Sam stood and stepped away, offering his hand.

Morgan took it and braced herself to feel more pain. He pulled her up. None came, and she tested her legs. They worked. She almost cried out in relief.

You must be gone before Noah returns, Sam told her.

She looked up at the ugly creature. “Thank you.”

He held out her amulet. She shook her head, throat too tight to speak again.

It belongs to you. It will remind you of Beck, wherever you go.

“Is he alive?” she asked in a hushed voice.

He is and will remain so, if you protect him.

His logic made her resistance crumble. Morgan took it, clenching it in her hand. Decker stood a few feet away, watching her with a look that said he was doing this for his brother, not her.

“When you asked me to protect him, you wanted me to protect him from … me,” she said to Sam sadly. “Didn’t you?”

Do not ask these questions of yourself, child, Sam answered with gentleness. You must find a way to protect Beck, the Light and the soul stone from those who would use it for Dark purposes.

“I’ll find a better way to protect him,” she promised then faced the Master of Dark. “I’m sorry, Decker. I don’t want to hurt him.”

“I know. I think,” Decker replied. “I also know what pain he’s about to go through.” Worry made the skin around his eyes tight. “Sam says it’s … necessary. For now. I’ll keep your secret, Morgan.”

She nodded. The Master of Dark reached into his pockets, pulling out his wallet with one hand and a cell phone with the other.

“Take these. The phone is Summer’s. I’ll get her a new one. My number is in the contacts,” he said, holding both out. “My credit card has no limit, and my debit card code is written on the back of the card.”

“You really shouldn’t do that,” she said and glanced at him. “Someone might take all your money.”

He shrugged with a small smile. “No one steals from the Master of Dark.”

She said nothing. Morgan opened her hand to stare at her amulet. It didn’t glow like Beck’s. There was a possibility it never would. Sam was right. The amulet was the only part of the boarding school and Beck that she could take with her. It might be the only reminder she ever had of the boy she’d fallen in love with.

With mixed feelings, she placed it in her pocket and then accepted Decker’s wallet and Summer’s phone.

Walk parallel to the road south. I will clear a path for you. It will take you twelve hours to reach the nearest town of Priest River, Sam instructed her.

“If something happens and you get in trouble, call me,” Decker added.

Morgan nodded, unable to look at him. She pushed her new possessions into her pockets. When she looked up, Sam was gone. Decker remained.

“Beck is in too much pain not to love you,” he said quietly.

Her chin trembled.

“I want him never to feel what I did when I thought I lost Summer. Sam said if you stay now, I’ll lose my brother.” Decker’s voice was tight. “A few months ago, Beck did the same for me. I get it. You have to leave. I hope with all my heart you find your way back to Beck. If there’s a way …”

“I will try,” she whispered. “Take care of him.”

“I’ll have my magick back in two days. I don’t care what he wants this time. I’m going after Dawn.”

The forest parted for her up the bank, a sign it was time to go. She had to leave, before anything worse happened.

“Goodbye, Decker,” she said and turned towards the forest.

“Goodbye, Morgan. Be careful.”

Morgan wiped away the last of her tears. She had to protect Beck and the Light, no matter how much she hurt. With a deep breath, she made her way up the side of the lake and stepped into the forest. Whatever happened to her didn’t matter, as long as Beck was safe.