The Scarlett Legacy (Woodland Creek)(17)

Wes’ face paled as he watched Avalon’s expression turn to one of humble gratitude to that of unadulterated hate.

“What?”

Avalon narrowed his eyes into thin slits. “You really think I need anything from you? You’re a petty criminal, a murderer, and I will make you pay for it with blood.”

Wes stood, ready to strike.

“And then I will make that sneaky wife of yours pay as well.”

Wes’ mouth twitched at the mention of Olivia. He was seconds away from tearing Avalon apart.

“Was I supposed to let it go that your father killed mine?”

Avalon shrugged. “Was I supposed to let it go that you felt the need to do the same to my brothers?”

Wes balled up his fist. This was not how he imagined this meeting going at all.

He contemplated killing Avalon right there where he stood. All he needed was to lift a finger and blast him out the back window.

It would be loud.

Messy.

But it would end this for good.

Avalon saw Wes’ index finger, ready to strike. He ran his hand through his blood-red hair.

“Go ahead and try it, Wes,” Avalon said. “I know all about you and your measly power. But you have no idea what I can do.”

Wes blinked. “What?”

Avalon nodded. “You heard me. I’m not afraid of one wizard.”

Wes’ shoulders tensed.

“I’ll keep Prince Manor for myself then.”

Avalon chuckled. “That’s rich.” He clapped his hands in jest.

The sound infuriated Wes.

“How dare you laugh at my offer? I was being generous.”

Barely a second passed before Avalon flew into Wes, sending such a powerful blow to his chest that his body slid across the floor and crashed into the far stone wall.

It took a moment for Wes to register what had just happened.

Avalon could fly.

Everything stung as Wes pushed himself up to his knees. He coughed.

“You think I need you for anything? You’re weak. Pathetic.”

Avalon seemed to tower over Wes as he struggled to come to his feet. Lights flashed behind his eyes from his head hitting the wall.

“You can keep Prince Manor, Wes Scarlett. I’ve already bought the old Albrecht Mansion. I don’t want to relive those memories from Prince Manor anyway.”

Avalon took a step forward. His eyes narrowed.

Wes resisted the urge to flinch. He lifted his hands and Avalon beat him to it. Avalon sent a gust of wind into Wes’s body, pinning him to the polished marble floor so that he was unable to move his arms or legs.

Wes bucked, trying to sit up. It was useless. His eyes widened in terror.

“What kind of wizard are you?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Avalon knelt down beside Wes’s body. “You weren’t actually going to try to put a spell on me?”

Wes tried to stand. Avalon put a thumb on his forehead.

“No. I didn’t say you could get up.”

A jolt shocked Wes’ body at the touch of Avalon’s thumb to his flesh.

“What are you doing? What do you want?” Despite what Avalon had said, Wes tried with all of his strength to get up. He needed to do anything to protect himself.

“I already told you. I want you to kill yourself. What part didn’t you understand?”

The hate in Avalon’s eyes mimicked his own.

“You’re a murderer. Why not die by your own hands?”

“I will not do that.”

“I figured you’d say that.” He stood and shook his head as he looked down at Wes’ body. He walked toward the doors that led to the main hall of Scarlett Hall. He paused in the entryway.

Still unable to move, Wes watched from his spot on the floor.

“Evie. I want Evie,” Avalon said.

Wes felt his cheeks heat.

“What about her? Evie has nothing to do with any of this. She is innocent.”

Avalon grinned. “I don’t care. I’ll take her in exchange for your life. You have one week to make your decision or I burn your entire life to the ground. You have no idea what I am capable of.”

“No. I won’t allow it. What could you possibly want with my sister? She doesn’t know what we’ve done.”

“I already told you that I don’t care. But what I do know is that you love her more than anything. And so I want her. I want to take her away from you.”

Shaking his head, Wes fought to free himself. He had to stop Avalon.

“No!”

“That curse won’t be lifted until I get what I want. So… you can enjoy watching your body deteriorate for the time being.”

Wes froze.

Curse?

Eyes wide, he watched Avalon leave. His mind raced with worry, fear, anger, and a slew of emotions he couldn’t control.

He had to protect Evie. He had to warn her to stay away from the man that in one evening proved to be their greatest enemy.

It felt like an eternity before he regained use of his body, and when he did, he knew he was cursed.

Avalon Prince was definitely going to be a problem.





“IT’S SATURDAY,” Quinn said as Evie checked out at the cash register.

Evie nodded with a smile as she rung her up. “I know. But I promised Parker I’d go to New Town with him today.”