Page 99 of Bad Witch

Kurgan made a sound that lifted the hair on the back of my neck, and everyone stopped.

He stepped forward, and Roman grabbed his arm, trying to stop him.

“Let him go,” Zari said. “Kurgan is the best tracker I’ve ever seen. If he’s picked up on something, you’d be wise to pay attention.”

Roman held her gaze for several moments, then released the other hound, though I got the feeling he was humoring Zari rather than obeying. Kurgan strode forward, his eyes glowing red, head tilted back, scenting the air, and strode on. We reached another fork, and he went right, the next, left, without any hesitation.

Finally, he stopped, standing in front of a wall that looked like the rest, deep gold and jagged-looking stone.

“Is this it?” Fender asked.

Kurgan said nothing. His nostrils flared and, with a snarl, he drew back his fist and slammed it into the rock.

“Kurgan,” Roman barked out. “Stop.”

Kurgan did, immediately.

“Don’t stop,” Zari bit out.

Kurgan turned back and punched the wall again.

Roman cursed and stepped toward Kurgan, but Zari got in his way, teeth bared. “Stand down,” she growled. “My brother is not some mindless monster randomly punching a wall. He’s found something. Just wait.”

Roman’s lips peeled back, his gaze sliding between her and Kurgan, who was still slamming his fist into the stone.

“Trust me,” she said. “Please.”

His eyes softened for a split second, but then went back to Kurgan and narrowed.

Chunks fell from the wall of stone, breaking and crumbling on the floor around the huge male.

I picked up a piece, and it crumbled in my hand when I applied pressure. “It’s clay,” I said. “Hard but brittle. It looks like the same stone as the rest of the caves, but it’s not.”

Kurgan’s chest and biceps rippled with power as he gritted his teeth and plowed his fist into the wall again. Cracks formed, spreading rapidly, snaking out in front of him. Then with one final blow, the wall collapsed into rubble on the floor all around him.

What he’d exposed was a wide circle of swirling, pearlescent light. It had to be at least nine feet in diameter and was surrounded by a gilded frame. Animals, flowers, and trees were carved into it, the scene like something from a fairy tale.

The gateway to Pan’s realm.

Zari turned to Roman and Fender, a broad, stunning smile on her face. “Well now, I think you owe my brother an apology.” She strode over to Kurgan and squeezed his arm affectionally.

“Ready?” Fender asked me, while Roman said something in low tones to Kurgan. Perhaps an apology, there was no way to tell from Kurgan’s expression.

The swirling light began to pulse, as if it were telling us to hurry up. There was no way to anticipate what we were about to walk into, but I’d come too far now to back out, and even if I could, I wouldn’t.

Matildas didn’t back down, and they didn’t run away.

Yes, my coven still wasn’t talking to me, but I clung to hope. I still had the door handle, and the cottage. I wouldn’t have those things if they’d abandoned me for good, I was sure of it, at least that was what I was telling myself.

I was the Matilda, and I couldn’t give that up, not without a fight. I glanced at Fender, and my heart squeezed. I ignored the sensation. I’d resigned myself to my fate, to a solitary life, a long time ago. Alone was for the best. I’d hurt Magnolia, and let down Jack. So many people had suffered because of my actions. I’d been kidding myself that I could have more.

I was the Matilda, and that had to be enough.

“Let’s do it,” Roman said.

Fender took my hand, and we headed for the gateway.

Chapter