The Scarlett Legacy (Woodland Creek)(32)

His power had failed him.

Olivia was missing.

What else was is there to live for?

Footsteps broke him from his thoughts.

“What did she say?”

Adelaide stepped into his room and walked over to his bed. She sat on the edge and gave his leg a pat.

“She’s going to do it, sweetheart. She may be selfish at times, but I never doubted she’d do anything for you.”

Tears burned Wes’ eyes.

“I can’t believe that even Malka couldn’t reverse this curse.”

“I know,” Adelaide said. “I can’t believe it either. Avalon is the most powerful wizard I’ve even heard of in the last thirty years.”

“And we sent Olivia out to kill him… knowing he was too dangerous for her.”

“You didn’t know what would happen, Wesley.”

Wes shot a glare at her. “He was waiting for her. How is it that he’s so far ahead of us?”

Adelaide shook her head, pursing her lips. “I don’t know.”

“And now we are sending Evie to him like a gift. What’s wrong with us?”

Adelaide sighed. “Stop thinking so negatively. In about a day or so you will be free of this curse.”

Loud banging on the door made them both jump. Adelaide stood. She looked toward Wes’ window at the night outside. The banging resumed.

She pulled her shawl closer to her skin.

“Who could it be?” Wes wished he could get up and check it out for her. He feared what waited for them outside.

“I’ll check it out.”

“Be careful,” Wes said.

Adelaide glanced at him. “I can take care of myself, Wesley. You should know that.”





ADELAIDE LEFT WES’ SIDE to answer the door. Weary from over a week of restless nights, each step seemed to take more energy out of her. She needed this war to end, or it she’d soon be another casualty of it.

As she arrived, Sandy was just closing it behind whoever had paid them a visit.

“Who was it?”

Sandy shook her head. “He didn’t give a name. He just said he had a message from Mr. Avalon Prince.”

Adelaide peered at the cream envelope in Sandy’s hand.

“He said it’s imperative that you read this and share it with Wesley.”

With a nod, Adelaide walked down the stairs and took the envelope.

She sniffed the envelope, smelling the faint scent of blood. Her sense of smell developed more like a lion than a human.

Adelaide knew who’s blood she smelled.

Clutching the envelope to her bosom, her face paled.

Olivia’s blood.





SHE KNEW she wouldn’t be able to do this without losing her composure. She stood in the living room of Parker’s condo, her engagement ring in her hand.

In between sniffles she tried to speak.

“I can’t,” she said.

Wes needed her.

Visions of Wes shielding her from their father’s illegal actions; the dead bodies, prostitutes, gambling rings, and whatever else he did in secret resurfaced from her repressed memories. Those deeds had come back to haunt them in the form of a wizard with a grudge.

Wes was her blood, and she couldn’t turn her back on him.

Parker stared at the ring in her hand, his eyes confused.

His face turned ashen. He swallowed. “What’s going on?”

Evie shook her head. She had to do this quickly. The way his voice wavered threatened to send her into hysterics.

Be strong.

“I can’t accept this, Parker. I was wrong to lead you on, but it’s really not going to work.”

Parker ran his hand through his hair.

Pain shot into her gut when she saw his hands shaking.

I can’t do this. It’s too hard.

“What? Where is this coming from?”

She shook her head and sat the ring on his counter when he wouldn’t accept it.

Her heart thumped in her chest.

Evie couldn’t be engaged for this plan. Her family depended on her.

Parker didn’t back down. Instead, he caught her in his arms when she turned to walk out, wrapping them around her thin body.

“Come now. Explain yourself. Did your mother make you do this?”

Yes. She did, she thought. But it was more than that. He deserved better than she could give him. He deserved a normal girl without baggage.

The tenderness of his voice broke her heart even more. She buried her face in his chest. How did she let herself do this? Her heart would never forgive. She doubted that she would ever forgive herself.

He held her tight as if savoring her scent and presence. “I love you, Evie. Don’t leave me.”

She drew in a breath. She pulled back and grabbed his face in her hands. She had one chance to do this and she needed to do it quickly before she lost the strength and resolve.

The look in his eyes, full of sorrow and love, made her pause.

She sniffled and closed her eyes. She couldn’t look at him like that. It killed her. She’d never felt physical pain from a broken heart. She didn’t think it was possible.

She took in a deep breath, opened her eyes, and faced him full on.

She lowered her voice. “I can’t love you, Parker. Not right now.”