The Scarlett Legacy (Woodland Creek)(30)

“I just want to be free,” Evie said, her voice cracking.

Quinn leapt from her seat. Ignoring the looks from the only two other people in the coffee shop, she wrapped her arms around Evie and held her tight. “I know,” she said, stroking Evie’s hair. “I know. You deserve that life, Evie. I’ll do whatever you need to help you get it.”

Evie closed her eyes against Quinn’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Quinn. Thank you for being my only true friend.”

Quinn sucked her teeth. “Silly girl. I’m your friend, but Parker is your soulmate, and I trust him to take care of you.”

“You’re right,” Evie said.

“You’re going to be fine,” Quinn said. “I can feel it.”





EXTENDING HER ARMS above her head Evie began to transform. Every fiber of her body trembled, her skin stung, and lights flashed before her eyes as feathers took over and bones bent to a new pattern.

A Gryphon.

A creature of myth.

Evie’s second form.

Now her arms were wings and she stretched them outward for optimal grace during her takeoff. She soared to the top of the mountain, thrilled by the freedom she felt.

The look on Quinn’s face when she told her the news ate at her. She hated to hurt her best friend, but she had to go. There was no choice. Somehow she knew that once she left Woodland Creek that life would be better. The stigma of her family’s past would be lifted. The danger she felt around every corner would dissipate.

Still, she needed this time alone to collect her thoughts. Quinn had been hurt, but she’d also been surprisingly understanding.

The mark of a true friend.

After she’d revealed that she was to leave later that evening, the news of her engagement had overshadowed everything else.

Now that that part of her life was tied up nicely, Evie wished her mother hadn’t been so cryptic in her phone call. Evie could only pray that her mother and brother were okay.

A loud screeching sound caught her attention as she stood on a boulder facing the town side of the mountain. Her senses were sharpened by her shifted form. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced.

She was strong, powerful, and free.

Evie flew back down to the clearing where she’d left her clothes. When she returned to her human form, her phone had thirteen missed calls and eight text messages.

Her heart lurched as she scrambled to check the missed calls. They were all from Adelaide.

Good. I could use some news. Any news.

Sighing, she stepped into her boots and made her way through the forest to her car.

She called her mother back, dreading what news she would hear.

“Evie,” Adelaide said.

“What is it? Is everything okay? Where is Wes?”

“It’s not good, Evie. Have you heard from Olivia?”

“No,” she said.

“Come home now,” Adelaide said.

“Why? You told me to stay away.”

“It doesn’t matter what I said earlier. I just received a message, and we need to talk in person.”

Evie was afraid to ask. “About what?”

The pause made Evie’s pulse quicken. She had to know.

“Olivia is missing.”





EVERYTHING WAS WRONG. Evie could tell the instant she entered her mother’s office. The smell of a eucalyptus candle wafted into her nostrils.

The lights were dim, just how Adelaide liked it. It helped her wind down when she was stressed. Evie noted the bottle of wine in the waste basket and an empty glass on the bay window seat.

“What’s going on?”

Adelaide turned around, her arms folded across the front of her black dress. Her face was pale, her eyes glistening with tears.

Evie’s face twisted in worry. Every nerve was on edge. She shook as she stood there, not ready to hear the worst. Yet, she had to know.

“What happened? How do you know Olivia is missing?” She stepped forward and Adelaide lifted a hand, stopping her.

“She hasn’t been home, and I have an idea of where she is. We can make this right. Together.”

Evie tilted her head, lifting a brow. The tension in the air was thick, making her palms sweat with anticipation.

“What do you mean?”

“Have a seat.”

“No,” Evie said, shaking. “Just tell me what’s going on for Christ’s sake.”

Adelaide’s shoulders slumped, her bottom lip trembling as she looked at Evie with glossy eyes.

“It’s Wesley.”

Evie’s stomach fell to the floor.

“No,” she gasped. “Please tell me he isn’t dead.”

“He’s alive,” Adelaide said. “But barely.”

Evie nodded, a small shred of hope filling her heart.

“He was cursed, Evie.”

“Cursed?”

“Yes,” Adelaide wrung her hands. “We tried to protect you. We did everything we could to keep you out of this, but it is now clear that you are the only one that can save this family.”

“What do you mean? Tell me everything.”

“Olivia went after Avalon to save Wesley’s life.”

Alarm filled Evie’s eyes. Olivia was the closest thing she had to a sister, and now she and her brother were in danger.