Enchant Her: Descended from a Witch, #5

By Atlas Rose

The King is dead…killed at the hands of my Hexers. 

Now Elysium's streets are no longer safe. 

My fate is once more entwined in three hunters. 

Three hunters I can no longer feel.

The Witch's mark has been severed and we no longer share the connection we once had. But the ties that bound us…can also set us free and as I become enchanted by their desires I find myself falling for them like never before.

Hunted by Vavilion's soldiers we're forced down dark alleys and dead end streets until another enemy rises.

One we never expected to encounter. 

One more violent and deadly than even my Hexers know how to battle.  

It's not just mortals of this world after us now…

The beasts have risen to claim this fight…. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Atlas Rose
• Release date: Sep 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393426813

Book preview

1

The night was a blur as we ran through the smoke-filled haze, past panicked faces of the aristocrats as they ran screaming from the front doors of the castle.

The night was on fire.

Burning with thick, choking smoke.

I tried to keep up with the long, ground-consuming strides of the Hexers as Chaol all but dragged me through the side kitchen door and out into the blazing orange night.

The castle grounds were chaos. Men and women dressed in their finest ran back and forth in terror like rats in a cage…only this cage was on fire.

Hungry, ravenous tongues licked over the towering castle walls, spewing embers into the dark. It was those embers that filled me with terror. Tiny white plumes danced into the darkness as we cut across the cobblestone path directly in front of the stables…and the deep amber glow of new fires came to life in a rush.

More fires started, hungry for the thatched roof of the stables. There were too many fires to count, bursting to life all around us as we ran.

Guards! Falconer roared, jerking his gaze over his shoulder and lifting his hand.

They spilled like a ruptured vein, tearing through the open gates in droves. Commanders barked orders, and men carrying buckets followed. Chaol let out a savage growl and jerked that hungry gaze to mine, then turned backwards. Whatever happens, she gets out alive.

Whatever happens?

The words rang like a hammer blow inside my head.

Sorin moved fast, enough to run at my side, and snatched the dagger from his waist.

It’s going to be alright. Desperation filled his gaze.

But there were too many of them, guards racing around both sides of the castle grounds and filling the courtyard. Chaol jerked me forward and to the side, slowing only when we hit the entrance to the cells. The cells…the cells.

No…not in there. Panic rose in the back of my throat, making my steps stumble and my blood run cold. Hard breaths punctured the roars of the King’s guards. Chaol’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me against his chest.

The stampede of boots rang all around us, the sound muffled by his body.

"You, over there!" screamed one of King’s men. I want this entire place in lockdown NOW!

They’d found him…they’d found Vavilion.

The King was dead, throat slit…lying in a pool of his own blood.

We’d killed a King…

My knees trembled and my fingers found Chaol’s shirt as I slowly lifted my gaze. This was it. This was where we died. Falconer pressed his back against me. Sorin stood in front of us, both hands filled with daggers, body tensed, ready to fight.

Until a deafening crack tore through the night, and the screams of horses followed. Hooves rumbled like thunder as the first of the gigantic animals tore past us, headed for the gates. Sorin followed the movement and turned, finding Chaol.

The Hexer’s arms tightened around me, one heavy breath made the sick feeling in my stomach churn.

Stay with me. Chaol lowered his gaze. Whatever happens, do not let go.

I shook my head, but the words no…don’t never made it to my lips as Chaol grabbed my hand and nodded to the others. Sorin pushed forward, stepping up to the doorway of the cell block and lunged into the night. Falconer was next, as Chaol moved, his grip clenched around mine.

Horses raced toward us as we stepped out into the courtyard. Panic-filled wide black eyes and colored manes lashing the air were all I could see as they lowered their heads and drove their massive bodies toward the front gates.

Shouts of the guards followed, panic and terror raged into the night. I coughed, choked, and stumbled forward, my steps trying to outpace the charge of the terrified beasts. But there were too many of them, too many to see. I focused on Chaol’s stranglehold around my hand and lunged forward, driving my body toward the open gates.

The soldiers never had a choice, it was either scramble out of the way or be trampled to death. Flames shot high as we speared through the gates and out into Elysium’s streets. Horses banked right and left, one kicked its back legs out hard, narrowly missing Falconer, who skidded and lunged.

Over there! Chaol roared, lifting his hand and pointing to a darkened alley further along the street.

I didn’t think. I just ran, feeling the thud of my boots against the cobblestones and the blistering, heat-filled air burning my cheeks as we raced past the inferno. But the harder I tried to push, the slower I became. My knees shook, my chest burned. Every breath was on fire in my lungs.

I wasn’t made for running, wasn’t tempered in the movement of my body…not like Ever.

She was hard and powerful, all lightning bolts and thunder. She was strong, stronger than I was.

We’re almost there, Chaol urged, sucking in hard breaths as he pulled on my hand. Look. He lifted his hand and pointed to the spear of darkness that lingered between two buildings up ahead. I drove myself forward, falling more than running, step after step. Thud over thud, until Chaol all but shoved me into the alley.

Fire…fire in my chest, burning all the way into my soul. And the cold, the cold burned when it touched me, punching into my lungs with every jagged breath.

Are you alright?

Darkness blurred as I tried to lift my head. Those dark eyes found me before Chaol sank further into the shadows.

Rythe…answer me.

I swallowed the air more than breathed and nodded, lifting my trembling hand to brace against the wall. I…I think so.

Everyone alright? Falconer slipped into the alley and stepped around Chaol before finding me.

Warmth caressed my cheek, his warm fingers. A smooth caress. They weren’t even panting, not even out of damn breath. I think I’m dying, I forced the words.

Not dying, just used to roaming the short hallways of the castle, that’s all, Falconer murmured.

I forced a weak smile and nodded. That was it, confined and controlled. But not now…my heart trembled with the thought. Kamoril would come for me, find me standing here and drag me back to the castle hallways and the mind games.

I closed my eyes and whimpered at the thought.

They haven’t found him. I opened my eyes at Sorin’s soft voice and found him as he slipped between the others and strode toward me. But they will soon enough.

We need to get out of here, Falconer muttered. Get as far from the city as possible.

Leave the city…the thought bloomed like a deadly rose. And go where? To the mountains with Ever?

My stomach hardened at the thought. I didn’t want to be there, not around her power or her pain. I didn’t want to see her connection with her Hexers, even as strained as it was. Because I didn’t have the same.

I had no connection now, no flare of power in the center of my chest. No flare of hunger when I thought of them…or when they thought of me. I had nothing. Nothing but another healing scar…a reminder of what I’d once had…and lost.

Not yet, but soon, Chaol answered. Right now, we need to lie low for a day or two, wait for the smoke to clear, and for the…for the fallout of what just happened.

You mean— Falconer started.

"You know what I mean."

I lifted my gaze to Chaol, standing at the mouth of the alley. My protector…my executioner and all of a sudden, it hit me what had just happened. My knees trembled, locked, then buckled. I tried to slam my hand out against the wall to save myself, but I found only air instead.

Until Sorin.

Hey there. He caught my fall in one swift move, pulling me hard against his body. You’re alright now. Hold onto me, Rythe. You’re alright.

I did hold onto him, fingers clawing for purchase as I found the hard muscles of his arms. I let myself slide against him, let his arms wrap around me and press me to his chest. Fuck me, you’re shaking.

She’s cold, Chaol growled. She’s in shock.

Sorin twisted his body, moving to the side as he straightened the torn front of my dress. I’d forgotten all about that, forgotten Vavilion’s roar…get her on her back!

Forgotten about the first rip of my dress…my beautiful dress. But that was all…that was all. You saved me.

Not soon enough, Chaol snarled, his midnight eyes endless pools of misery as he met my gaze and looked down to the torn neckline of my dress. Not anywhere near soon enough.

He’d hate himself for that…for years, maybe his entire life. I saw it all now, saw it in the flicker of my mind. That was where my power lay, not in the earth or the sky, but in the battleground of thoughts and emotions.

And that…that image inside his head of me lying there while Vavilion’s men clawed and ripped my dress—that would haunt him for eternity.

Right now, we need a place to hide. Falconer turned back to him.

Chaol took one step closer and lifted his hand, his strong fingers finding my cheek as he murmured, Think you can run a little further? I know just the place.

2

My throat burned...my eyes watered. Run further? I’d run for the rest of my life if it meant my freedom. I nodded, swallowed the bitter taste of ash, and croaked, Yes.

We left the panic of the castle behind, plunging through the smoky haze that turned orange the closer we came to the fires. I winced and turned my head, the heat searing my cheek. Still I kept moving, until the air turned colder, and crisper. Finally, I could breathe.

So much death. And yet I couldn't bring myself to care about any of it. I only wished there’d been more, that the entire castle would burn to the ground, and take the corrupt soldiers along with it.

And Kamoril.

The face of that monster haunted me as the slap of my bare feet rang out. Did he know I was gone...did he know Vavilion was dead? I swallowed hard and kept on moving, turning my attention to my Hexers.

Where are we going? Sorin asked, sucking in hard breaths.

My place, Chaol answered. He didn't look happy about it, though.

But don’t you live at the castle? I croaked, swallowing the burn.

Not all the time, no. I have a place in town. He met my gaze. Just in case.

Just in case?

Seemed he hadn't been relying on the kindness of the King, either...

Still I couldn’t stop that seed of doubt from spreading. They’ll be waiting there, won’t they?

He nodded. Maybe, maybe they’ll be too busy with the city burning. I guess we’ll have to take that chance.

Lead the way, brother, Falconer nodded, urging the Hexer forward.

Don’t tell me you don't know where it is? I shook my head, shocked.

Been there twice, but I'm shit with directions, just ask the guys. Falconer gave me a wink, and Sorin groaned, confirming his words.

Falcon, Chaol growled. They’ll hear us.

We carried on in silence, taking alleys I'd never set foot in before. It didn't take long before I was like Falconer, utterly, hopelessly lost. Chaol stopped in front of me, and I hit the wall of his back, Sorin coming up behind me, wedging me in. My soles were stinging with the cold, my lungs on fire as I sucked in the cold night air. Chaol turned, pressing a finger to his lips as he stepped forward and peered around the corner of an alley.

We all waited. I held my breath, but I could feel Sorin's on the back of my neck, gently moving my hair. I turned towards him and our eyes locked. He was so serious, especially now. He raised his eyebrows, silently asking me if I was alright. I gave a short nod, and clung to his gaze. I wasn’t alright...I wasn’t anywhere near alright. Tears welled in my eyes, stinging and cruel. I swallowed the terror of this night, pushing it to the back of my throat, and concentrated on breathing.

But the stuff coiled in the pit of my stomach, just waiting for a chance to spill free. Sorin brushed his fingers against my cheek and cupped the back of my neck, holding my gaze to his.

He was giving me his strength, and his attention. He was right now telling me I mattered to him…then he shifted his gaze behind me and motioned for me to turn. Chaol stretched a hand behind him, seeking mine. I slid my fingers into his, let him pull me on and on, down more alleys, until my feet turned numb from the cold and we finally came to a halt again.

We’re close, he said. Stay here while Sorin and I take a look around.

No. I grabbed his shirt sleeve and tugged him back. Don’t leave me...don’t…

He didn't move, not even to blink, for what felt like three minutes. Then he nodded. You think we’d abandon you?

My breath escaped my body in a rush. I leaned against the wall of the alley. Just take me with you.

Never leave me again the words trembled behind my lips. My fingers shook as the desperation rose. Use me, that whisper of power slipped into my mind.

What did you say? Chaol moved closer, letting his power seep into my skin.

I opened my eyes and met his gaze. Use me instead.

His midnight eyes glinted with desire as heat found my cheeks. Use my power, I insisted.

Do it, Falconer murmured. Find those fuckers.

I closed my eyes once more, blocking out the noise of the city, and sinking into my power. For a moment, I didn't think it was going to happen, then I found that thread of ice, found the way, sending my power creeping through the alleys like a mouse, and in a second, they were there, all the terror and the screams. I tried to narrow it down to the soldiers, but it was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Chaol... I lifted my gaze to his, realizing I'd forgotten one important thing. What does your place look like?

Falconer stifled a laugh, and I could hear Sorin smack him on the arm. Chaol's breath hit my cheek. I could smell that it was him, sweat and leather and that tang that was all his own.

You can look inside, see through me, he whispered against my cheek.

I opened my eyes and leaned far enough away to hold his stare. Are you sure?

He gave a small nod, his hand slipping to my waist, gripping me, drawing me closer.

My lips parted, and in that minute, I almost forgot the danger we were in. I was trapped by him, by that