His eyes narrowed, and I would have praised him for keeping his temper if I weren’t looking forward to being done with him. “The spring equinox, and you always learned about our magic.”
I nodded. “Yes. And Aiden?”
Cormac closed his eyes and raised his hand to the bridge of his nose. “The summer solstice and power.”
“And Conall?”
Cormac shook his head and sighed. It was Rory who spoke. “Let me guess. The autumnal equinox and everyone’s feelings, their hearts.”
“How could I have been so blind?” Cormac muttered.
“Earth, air, fire, and water,” Rory whispered. “You represent the four elements, so we need blood from the four of you to find the Cure. That is why my dowsing hasn’t worked.”
I exhaled slowly, Rory’s words falling over us like ice. The minutes stretched on; the only sound was the creaking of the floorboards in the hallway as the wood contracted.
“All right,” I said finally. “Then I’m done here.” Pressing my hands against my knees, I stood, my movements deliberate. “Whatever you need from me, take it. Then I will leave—for good.” I turned to Cormac, meeting his gaze with unwavering certainty. “It’s time for me to return to Byron Bay and live my life away from everyone in this house.”
The words came out steady, but they carried more weight than any spell or curse ever could. They weren’t just a declaration—they removed any tie that bound me to my family.
Cormac’s face remained like stone as Rory placed her hand on his shoulder.
Briar
Istopped cold as I heard the words and retreated, retracing my steps as softly as I could back up the stairs.
It’s time for me to return to Byron Bay and live my life away from everyone in this house.I slammed the door shut behind me, my breath coming in short, ragged bursts. How could I have been so stupid?
The air in the bedroom was thick. Lorcan’s cologne permeated it, choking me, suffocating me. How had I let myself wake up and think that just because we fucked each other, he would love me? I knew better. I was smarter than this. An icy chill gripped my heart. The way he had made me feel—like I was the most important person and deserved all the orgasmic pleasure in theworld. It had all been a show. For what? To simply show me he was the one in control?
I couldn’t believe what a fool I had been because now he was downstairs with his brother and sister-in-law, trying to get back to Australia—away from everyone in this house.The words—Lorcan’s words—echoed in my mind. I rubbed my head as the empty wine bottle on the end table caught my eye, and a wave of shame washed over me as I pictured myself bent over the bed, Lorcan’s cock slamming into me while I submitted to his demands. I clenched my teeth, not wanting to admit it had been the best sexual experience of my life, trusting him enough for me to let go and let him guide me to a part of myself I didn’t know existed, one that craved to let go—that craved to give in tohimand him alone. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.
I tore into the bedroom, snatched my suitcase, and threw it open on the bed. When I yanked open the doors of the wardrobe, the clothes swayed in the breeze created. The hangers rattled as I tore through my belongings, throwing them onto the bed. I pulled the phone from my pocket, my fingers fumbling as I dialed Amy’s number. It had only been three hours since I had spoken to her last, but hopefully, she would answer.
“Hello?” Her voice was groggy and strained.
“Amy…” I forced her name out of my throat as tears fell from my eyes. “I’m sorry for waking you—”
“Briar, what’s wrong?” Concern seeped across the connection.
“Everything.” My voice cracked. I bit my lip hard enough to taste iron, making myself hold it together. “I don’t know how I let him… And now, he’s downstairs telling his brother he wants to be free of everyone in this house.”
“Oh, Briar, I’m so sorry.” I heard the rustle of sheets as she sat up. “Give me a minute. Let me go to the other room so I don’t wake Hugh.”
“It’s fine,” I said, shoving my clothes into the bag. My breath caught in my throat, my fingers clutching the shirt I wore to the garden party the night I met him. I pushed the thought of my fluttering heart that night out of my mind and stuffed the shirt in my bag.
A few seconds later, Amy broke the silence, her voice clearer. “Okay, sorry about that. What happened?”
I shook my head as I walked into the bathroom, tossing everything I had brought into my toiletry bag. “I don’t know, but I have to get out of here. I can’t be around him. I can’t stay here.” I caught my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were red-rimmed, my lips swollen, but the unmistakable marks left by Lorcan’s passionate kisses were on my neck. I clenched my jaw, barely recognizing myself as I spun away from the mirror and returned to my packing. Why was I this upset over a one-night stand?
Amy’s voice was soft as she spoke, as though she didn’t want to ask her question. “But what about everything you needed to learn for your mother?”
I sighed, running my fingers over the leather portfolio Cormac gave me. “Rory and Cormac found it for me. It’s all the information I wanted.”
“Okay… so what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I need to get out of here—get home.” I sat down on the bed. My heart sank as I realized how dependent on them I had allowed myself to be. Even the phone was theirs.
Amy inhaled deeply, and something rustled on her side—a chair, maybe. “How much is in your Europe fund right now?”
