guy.
“I’ll deal with him.”
“Who? Not Matt.” Amelia appears on the ground beside me and I clutch her hand as I struggle to breath. “What are you doing to him?”
“Testing him and teaching him a fucking lesson.”
My head drops as the band loosens and a duller ache replaces the agony. “Lia,” I say hoarsely.
“How are you here? Did Alaric find you?”
I struggle to reply, incoherent from the pain in my head. Scuffling continues across the garden and somebody’s chilling shout reverberates from the trees, and I’m left with a sense of dread.
The second guy marches past me, rubbing both hands through his hair as wisps of shadow drift away from his body.
“That’s a fucking big fire, Alaric,” he says.
“Don't go in there!” says the girl.
“Both of you. Put the fire out.” Heavy boots appear in front of me and I recoil, waiting for another attack when I look up at Alaric. “You—get up.” He pokes me with a boot.
“You made me do this,” I protest as I obey his command.
The second I’m on my feet, Alaric seizes my head in both large hands and the agonising band crushes my skull again. I’d cry out, but no sound will come.
This man will kill me and I’m so fucking confused.
“No!” Amelia shouts but the hold doesn't drop. “What are you doing?”
I stare back into the man’s glittering eyes, expecting anger but only seeing an impassive expression. The pain intensifies until my legs begin to buckle and my mind screams out for unconsciousness to escape the torture.
I’m no longer aware of where I am or what I’ve done, my mind broken again as Alaric sends wave after wave of magic clawing through my head. I crumple to the floor as he drops his hold on me, not looking up.
His footsteps sound on the path as he walks away.
“Matt?” Amelia attempts to put her arms around me. “What the hell is happening?”
Twisting my head, I look back to the house through watering eyes. There’s no orange glow in the window or fire in the open doorway as Alaric strides into the house. I sensed these people are witches and hope to hell they can reverse my damage.
“I don't understand what’s happening,” I rasp out. “Why did he make me do this?”
Amelia’s face blurs in and out of focus until the world spins away into black.
35
AMELIA
Matt's heart speeds against my cheek as I sit on the ground, gripped tightly against his chest as we hold onto each other. I freaked out when he lost consciousness, terrified Alaric had killed him. Matt didn't stay out for long, and since then we’ve hugged and not let go. The most unbelievable thing of the crazy events tonight is finding myself in his arms. I attempt to hide tears, but my body shakes.
“Lia. Look at me.”
I turn my face upwards and his eyes shine in his ashen face as he plays his fingers across my cheeks and lips. Is this really happening? I've dreamed of moments like this and they were still out of reach.
But Matt's here, the smell of smoke on his clothes, thinner and scruffier, but he's here. Gently, he places his lips on mine and the soft buzz from the bond isn't enough for me. I’ve spent nights trying to remember how Matt’s lips felt and dreaded never kissing him again; this isn't how I imagined our reunion, but there's one thing that can still be like my dreams.
I cling onto him, arms around his neck as I urge him into a deep kiss. He needs no persuasion as he holds my face steady, kissing me as if this is the first and last time. Nobody has held me this close since I lost him and the euphoria rushes through at finding myself pressed against him again.
Matt draws away. “I can't believe you're here,” he says, eyes darker.
“I don’t understand how you’re here. Alaric told me you were with the Blackwoods. Did he help you escape?”
Matt’s eyes drop to his shaking hands. “I lit the fire tonight, Lia. The Blackwoods told me to. I tried to run because I couldn't do it, but Alaric stopped me. He made me conjure the serpent and burn the place. He’s crazy, Lia.”
My face pales and I sit back on my haunches. “Did you know I was in the house?”
“No, or I would’ve walked in and taken you with me. Who are these people? Why are you with them?” He clutches his head again and takes a ragged breath.
“They promised to