Unleashed: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Two by Betty Legend (acx book reading txt) 📕

“What happened?”

“I don’t know. I heard him screaming in here and came running.”

“Where’s Cyrus?”

“At work.”

“Get him. I don’t care how, but you need to get him here.”

Griffin raises his wrist, wearing a leather band with a charm like mine. Rubbing it, he casts the spell, then disappears through the portal. With my heart rapidly beating, I move around the room, searching for the supplies to make a healing paste. Killian leans over Emeric, taking his hand as I gather what I need.

“Hang on, Emeric.”

Emeric’s screaming makes it harder for me to remember the spell I have to conjure over the ingredients, but I focus hard on Cyrus’s lessons. Putting the herbs and potion in the bowl, I release my air magic, cast the spell, and hope with all my heart it works. The ingredients blend together, creating a muddy green paste. Breathing with relief, I hurry to Emeric, who’s stopped screaming and is passed out on the countertop.

“Grab a rag over there,” I point. “Clean him off the best you can, so I can apply this paste.”

Killian moves quickly, beginning the work.

“This gash is deep, Selene. Is that paste enough?”

“I don’t know, but I have to try.”

Gathering a glob, I lather it into his open wound until the blood stops running, and the wound is fully covered. Emeric doesn’t seem as pale, but he’s still unconscious. Worry keeps hold of me until Cyrus and Griffin step through a portal.

“Cyrus, can you help him? I put the paste on, but I don’t know if it’s enough.”

“You did good.” Cyrus caresses my back as he passes me to examine Emeric. “I’ll handle the rest.”

Stepping back, tears fill my eyes as Killian hands me a clean rag to wipe off my hands. Hugging me, he kisses my forehead.

“He’ll be all right. You got to him in time.”

“What did this to him?”

Cyrus is busy muttering a spell with his hands over Emeric. Griffin pulls his gaze from the wound.

“A demon. Higher level by the looks of it. I doubt there was only one. Emeric can fight several demons at once with his magic.”

Cyrus lowers his hands and leans his weight on the countertop, his energy depleted. “We need to take him upstairs. He’ll need to sleep for a while.”

“Thank you for coming so fast.”

“I’ll always come when you need me.” Cyrus brings me into his arms and kisses me. “I have to return to work, but I’ll be back tonight. Will you be here?”

“Yes. I’m not leaving Emeric.”

Cyrus nods in understanding. “Take care of him.” Stepping back, he creates a portal and walks through it.

Turning to Killian, I frown, guilt pummeling my gut. “I’m sorry. I need to stay. I hope you understand.”

“I do. I’ll have Griffin portal me home to get my things and yours. I’ll come back here if you want me to.”

“Yes, I want you here with us.”

Killian glances at Griffin, and the two share an acknowledging nod.

“Can you guys carry him upstairs?”

“Of course.” Killian steps to the countertop, but Griffin raises a hand.

“You won’t have to lift him. I can do it with magic.”

Griffin releases his ethereal glow, and it surrounds Emeric’s entire body. As though Emeric is floating on water, his body moves out of the room. I follow Griffin upstairs, then cover Emeric with the blanket once he’s laid on the mattress. Griffin and Killian leave me with him. Sitting next to him, I release my magic and caress his forehead, chest, and arms.

“I love you, Emeric. Don’t leave me before I have the chance to tell you.”

He lies there, unmoving, his pulse weak. Pulling the blanket back, I crawl into bed with him, placing my hand on his chest, my magic swirling around us.

CHAPTER THREE

SELENE

I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep, but I recognize the hand gently shaking me awake. Griffin comes into view, and with him, Cyrus and Killian. Worried, I check on Emeric, and my heart sinks to find him still asleep. My fear worsens when I notice the dark color that’s appeared in his veins.

“What’s wrong with him?”

“It’s demon venom. It’s in his blood,” Cyrus answers.

My hand goes to his chest in a panic. “Is he dying?”

“He will if we can’t get it out.”

“I did this, didn’t I? The venom needed to be extracted before the wound was healed.” Tears stream down my cheeks while Griffin rubs my back.

“There’s another way.”

Blinking back my tears, I turn to Cyrus. “Phoenix. He can extract the venom from his blood. Demon venom and disease don’t affect vampires.”

“Yes, he can, but—”

“No buts. He’s doing this.” Climbing off the bed, I put my hand to my charm. Cyrus tries to grab my wrist, but I’m already through the portal. My next step is onto Phoenix’s front porch. The door is locked, so I release my magic and imagine it unlocking the door. It clicks, and I turn the knob to walk through the threshold. It’s quiet in the home. I search every room, including the room where the massacre took place. It’s clean now with new furniture, a new rug, all the blood gone.

It doesn’t take long for me to realize Phoenix isn’t here. Finding the nearest mirror, I cast the spell Cyrus taught me. An image of Phoenix appears in the glass, showing him at a club. I recognize the club as the one Emeric took me to.

Raising my fingers to my charm, the portal opens, and I step through it onto the VIP balcony of the club. The gazes of several supernaturals stare in shock, but my eyes are only fixed on one individual.

“Get up. I need your help.”

Phoenix doesn’t budge. He sets his glass of what I assume is blood on the table next to him and waves the supernaturals around him away. They scatter like scared kittens. Looking me over, his lids narrow above a curled lip.

“You look like you’ve been fucking a wolf, smell like it too.”

“Shut up. Emeric is dying. I need your help to save