Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 115

Lia

I saw the town in the distance, and it made me sick to my stomach.

The town was the definition of a ghost town. There wasn’t anyone around, and I swear I saw a tumbleweed drift by. It was like I had stepped into some creepy horror movie with western undertones.

My magic was crackling at my fingertips, prepared and ready.

A rustling reached my ears. I cried out, sending a blast of energy toward the overgrown grass. A squirrel scurried out, the edge of its tail singed.

“Lia, my dude, you almost murdered a squirrel. What did that squirrel ever do to you?”

“Nothing!” I shrieked. “And l didn’t know it was a squirrel. l thought it was one of the members of the coven!” Jesse rolled his eyes. “Could you two be any louder?” he asked, rolling his eyes.

“Yeah, you’re going to alert them to our presence,” Colby pointed out, holding his finger to his lips. “Seriously, we are far too exposed right now. Let’s duck into one of those abandoned buildings and hide out while discussing strategy.”

Simone and her mates were about five minutes away. We couldn’t risk all of us going into the town, but they were close enough for us to coordinate our next move together. The last thing we needed was to be caught out in the open, especially if the coven was lurking nearby.

Jesse scanned the area before jerking his head toward a rundown saloon, its wooden sign hanging by a single rusted chain. ” There. That should do.”

I nodded as I moved toward the entrance. The floor creaked under my boots, dust swirling in the dim light filtering through the broken windows. The place smelled like mildew and abandonment, but it would have to do.

Couldn’t believe that there was a saloon here. It truly felt like a set out of a western movie or show. I almost felt like Clint fucking Eastwood was going to pop out.

Or the ghost of fucking John Wayne.

The better question is, why did I remember them?

No, now was not the time to discuss that. We had other things to worry about.

Colby shut the door behind us, peering through a gap in the wood. “Alright, we don’t have much time. Lia, you’re sure they’re here?”

From the moment we stepped in here, I was sure that I sensed some magic. It was faint but I knew they were here. I swallowed hard, my magic still buzzing under my skin. “l can feel them. They’re close.”

Jesse sighed. “Great. Just great. So, what’s the plan? We storm in, blast them with magic, and hope for the best?” Colby shot him a look. “That’s a good way to get us all killed.”

Before I could respond, a soft knock sounded against the saloon’s backdoor. My heart lurched into my throat. Who was it?

Could it be the coven, playing with us before they struck?

***

Matt

The town was dead. Silent. The kind of place that felt like even ghosts had packed up and left.

We stayed in the saloon for a while, trying to figure out a plan. Lia was the one who could sense the magic so she was going to follow that trail with us surrounding her, determined to protect her as much as possible.

But the more we walked around, the more nervous I became. It felt like we were being watched.

Maybe we were or it could just be my nerves getting the rest of me.

I swallowed, looking at my mates. “Lia?” I asked, looking at her.

“It feels stronger here so keep your eyes peeled.”

I scanned the empty streets, my gut churning. “I don’t like this,” I muttered.

“No shit,” Colby replied, eyes flicking from building to building. “They’re here, though. Tegan wouldn’t have led us wrong.” Before I could respond, a sharp breath of air was my only warning before-

Pain. Blinding, burning pain tore through my side, knocking the air from my lungs. I hit the ground with a grunt, my back slamming against the cracked pavement.

Everyone was shouting, rushing for cover. I touched my side, pain blossoming through me. It burned, causing me immense pain.

Fuck.

How had they gotten the best of us? But I couldn’t think of this right now. We were being attacked.

Colby spun toward me. “Matt!”

A figure loomed over me, their eyes wild, desperate. The scent of blood-my blood-hung in the air as they raised their claws for another strike.

The witch looked furious. Electricity sparked at their fingertips.

She was ready to electrocute me, to end my life and make sure that we couldn’t ask them any questions.

I forced out a laugh, though it sounded weak. “You’re a real optimist, huh?”

Colby didn’t reply right away, but I could hear his fists connecting with something solid. “Shut up and keep moving, genius. They’re not just gonna stand around and wait for us to die.”

“I’m trying,” I muttered, my vision blurring again. “Just… don’t leave me to do all the fun stuff.” “Don’t plan on it,” he called back, the sound of footsteps nearing. “You just worry about staying alive.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I grunted, pushing myself harder. The alleyway came into view, and I knew we were almost there. Almost had them.

The Rosewater Coven would not get away this time.

I just hoped my body would hold up long enough to make sure of it. “Fuck, Matt!” Lia cried, coming to my side. “Stay still!”

Before she said anything, I felt her hands on my wounded side. “By light and air, by earth and sea,

Bind these wounds, set pain free. Let strength return, let spirits rise, Heal this body, clear weary eyes.

With warmth of fire, with water’s flow,

Mend what’s broken, let life grow. By my will and magic bright, Restore with love, restore with light.

From root to crown, from skin to soul, Let every piece be mended whole.

Banish darkness, ease the ache, Let no harm this form remake.

With whispered winds and sunlit grace, Seal each wound, time erase.

Life’s embrace, both fierce and true, May health return, fresh and new.”

I gasped as this strange warmth hit me. The next thing I knew, the pain was gone.

“Lia what did you do?”

“I healed you,” she said to me, wobbling a bit as she stepped forward. “We need to retreat and come up with a different plan.”

When she was right she was right.