truly a witch, it remained just beyond his reach. But it was there. The potential was always there and with it the tiny hope that just maybe he’d learn how to tap into it one day. He’d be the witch that would make his mother proud.
If he got rid of that, all those hopes and dreams would be dead.
But Winter would be safe. Marcus, Bel, Rafe, and all their family would be safe.
Winter would lose his shielding from the ghosts. He might even hate Fox for cursing him once again, but he’d be alive. His family would be alive.
Roughly wiping away the tears that streaked down his cheeks, Fox got off the couch and marched into Winter’s office. He could do this. Losing his magic would be worth it if he could protect Winter and his family. Even if he lost Winter, it would be worth it.
A twist of unease shimmied through him as he sank into Winter’s chair. Their first night together in the loft, Winter had told him not to use his computer, but it was the only way to find the information he needed.
Taking a deep breath, he shook the mouse and woke the computer from its slumber. It didn’t recognize his face, but Fox had watched as Winter typed in a six-digit code to unlock it one day. Of course, he remembered it, as if his brain had known he’d betray his lover’s trust one day.
Once logged in, he pulled up a browser and started digging in the few places he’d sworn to himself he’d never go again. His personal contacts were extremely few, but there were other resources online he could use. It just took knowing where to look. Things his mother had made him aware of just before her death.
He didn’t know how much time ticked by as he worked on his search. Enough that his neck had grown stiff and his back ached. Groaning, he straightened and twisted in his seat when his eyes fell on Winter standing in the open doorway. He shouted and jerked upright.
“What the fuck? How long have you been standing there?” Fox demanded, even though he had zero right to be pissed. He was the one invading Winter’s space without asking.
“Not long. I woke up and didn’t like that I was alone,” Winter replied. He didn’t look pissed, just wary. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing. I-I was just looking for something,” Fox muttered. He reached for the mouse to close the window he was on, but a sharp bark from Winter halted his hand in midair. Winter closed the last few feet between them and stood behind Fox to see the computer monitor clearly.
“SpellIt?”
Fox groaned. “No one ever accused witches of being incredibly original. It’s sort of like Reddit for witches. A networking forum to share information.”
“I thought witches didn’t like to share info.”
“They don’t. Well, not with apprentices, I guess. They don’t mind talking to other trained witches if you don’t mind sifting through all the trolling comments and sniping at each other.”
Winter reached around him and placed his palm over the mouse. He carefully moved the cursor up to the navigation window and hit the back arrow. Fox flinched and huddled in on himself as he waited for Winter to hit the main search screen.”
“How to remove a witch’s magic,” Winter read aloud. The silence that followed was heavy, and Fox couldn’t bring himself to look up at the vampire. “Fox, what are you doing?” Winter finally asked in a harsh whisper.
“The right thing,” Fox replied, trying to put as much steel in his voice as possible.
“How could this be the right thing? Being a witch, being able to do magic is the most important thing in the world to you. I would never ask that of you.”
Fox launched himself out of his seat and paced away from Winter, anything to protect himself from those sweet words. “No, the most important thing in the world to me is you. And if Damon and that stupid prophecy are right, I’m going to hurt you with my magic. It’s the only thing that’s left. I can’t…I can’t do that. I’d never be able to live with myself.” Fox’s voice broke, or maybe that was the remains of his heart. He didn’t want to give up his magic, but he’d give up everything to protect Winter. “I’d rather lose my magic and give up the only thing about me that’s worthwhile than hurt you and your family.”