Raven Ridge (Witches of Sanctuary Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

long and it’s full of steel. “We both know that spell is the only way to truly keep her safe. Don’t let selfishness cloud your true judgment. You’re better than that.”
    Reid touches my hand, and I know he would do anything to keep me safe. He turns around to face Elizabeth and finally nods. “Okay. We’ll find it.”
    Contessa turns toward me, her smile sympathetic. “Now go celebrate. Enjoy the night. It isn’t every day you get to lead your family.” She studies me as if deciding something very important. “Ah. Just here will do.”
    Contessa reaches up and places a single finger on my neck just below my ear. Then they vanish. Contessa and Elizabeth are gone. The fog nothing more than steam rising to the treetops. That’s when I feel it. The burn on my neck. It’s so much worse than the spell Reid performed on me earlier. This time it burns me to the core, as if a bolt of lightning entered me at the spot of contact and shot through my body to my toes. I drop to the ground.
    Electricity sears every tiny fiber in my body. “Reid. Help me.”
    I roll over, clawing the spot on my neck. It doesn’t help. My back snaps straight as the pain burns a hole straight through my chest.
    A blinding green light takes me.
    I open my eyes to the sound of my own scream. I dart up, but Reid is over me, holding me tight. I grab my neck. The spot flames like a hot coal and I jerk my hand away to keep from burning myself. Reid’s face is sad. He moves my hand away, rubbing his thumb over the pain in my neck. “What is it?” I ask.
    “A blue circle. The moon.” He helps me sit up and my hand reflexively goes back to my neck. “The Declaration has been made. You’re the leader of the line of the Moon.” His sigh is deep and rugged. “As if the Haunted needed another reason to want kill you.”
    Reid helps me to my feet and I cling onto him, my legs still unsteady. “How are we going to find out who the curse passed on to in Roux’s family?”
    Reid bites his lip and helps straighten my shoulders. “I know someone.”
    My eyes widen. “What do you mean, you know someone?”
    “Look at me, Willa.” His hand clutches my hip. “I haven’t been keeping my powers a secret just to torture you. I have my reasons. Trust me on this, okay? No one needs to know about my powers yet. Not until I figure out who we can trust.”
    He pulls me closer, kissing my temple. “Go find my mom and the others. I need to go send a message to someone. I’ll meet you at the party.”
    “Party?”
    Reid smirks down at me, wiping his unruly hair away from his face. “You didn’t think they had you get all dressed up just for that, did you?”
    I sigh and lay my head on his shoulder. “I’m not sure if I’m party material tonight.”
    Reid smiles against my cheek. “That’s too bad. I was hoping to dance with my girlfriend tonight.”
    I glance up at him, my eyes narrowing slightly. “Really? Did you invite her?”
    He rolls his eyes. “Are you always a smartass?”
    I shrug. “I didn’t get dressed up like this just for a ceremony.” I shoot him another take-the-hint look.
    He grins before his lashes drift shut. A kiss.
    A real kiss. A knock my socks, shoes, and common sense off kind of kiss.
    His fingers grip my hair, tilting my chin up. My palms clutch in his shirt the same time his tongue parts my lips.
    If it were possible for me to melt into a puddle of estrogen, I would.
    He slowly pulls away and I lick my lips. I already miss the taste of him. His thumb rakes down my cheek. “I’ll meet you at Rooster’s in an hour. We’ll discuss it.”
    When I finally catch my breath and open my eyes, he’s gone. I’m alone. Again.
    I sigh and fall back against the nearest tree. I swoon. I didn’t even know swooning was a real thing. I thought it was just something southern belles made up so they had something to do while they fanned their faces and gushed over the latest gentleman caller at their door. It’s real, though.
    I