Free Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway Page A

circle song settle my nerves. “Welcome, east,” I said, as loudly as my trembling voice would allow. “Guardian of word, make our thoughts manifest.”
    And here was where a little puff of wind would go very nicely. I tried to magically induce a little “oomph,” but, despite all the talk of destiny and my own fervent hope, absolutely nothing came.
    Except a kind of creepy, happy growl.
    Bea’s dad, the high priest, shook his head. I could see him glancing back at me. He motioned for me to come and take his place in the outer circle. I looked at Diane for guidance. Diane pursed her lips, and then glanced out at the woods where a kind of chortling snort could be heard. “They’ll attack us without a proper circle, child. I’m sorry.”
    It was the “you failed” moment I’d been expecting.
    “No!” Mom shouted. “Give her another chance.”
    “Mom,” I said as I started toward the spot Bea’s dad had held in the outer circle. “It’s okay.”
    “No. No! This must be done tonight. Look at them, Diane! They’ve come for her, and you’re giving her to them.”
    The song began to falter as the other coveners strained to follow the argument.
    I paused. What did Mom mean? Who or what were those things in the woods? And why did they come tonight? Did it really have something to do with me? Could these be the enemies my dad talked about? Or were they on his side?
    “No time to argue. They’ll attack soon,” Bea’s dad said. He broke out of his spot in the circle. As he rushed past me, he all but shoved me into position. “Hold the line,” he yelled authoritatively. “ I’m drawing the east now.”
    “No, wait.” It was Mom again. “You can’t do this to her! What about the candles? Wasn’t that wind magic? She needs a second chance!”
    “We don’t have time. Anyway, he has every right. He’s the high priest. It’s his call and I happen to agree with it,” Diane said.
    “No,” Mom started up the argument again, but Bea’s dad had already begun. I could sense the swirl of the wind tug at my hair and I heard the rattling of the leaves. I quickly grasped the waiting hands and joined the outer circle.
    The creatures in the woods quieted at the show of magic.
    But one stepped forward, right in front of me.
    It was hard to distinguish all the details in the darkness, but it—no, he—was definitely human, and, uh, quite naked. Dappled moonlight revealed a tall, lean, muscular form with pale, almost luminescent skin. Dark hair framed a hauntingly handsome face and yellow, catlike eyes.
    Looking me directly in the face, he put a hand to his heart and bowed slightly. “Princess Anastasija,” he said. “My lady.”
    The eyes caught mine and trapped them in his gaze. Unearthly as they were, I found myself wanting to lose myself in their golden pools. A calm swept over me, and I felt a sense of homecoming. What was this wonderful, enchanting being? And why shouldn’t I run wild and free into the woods with him—where I belonged?
    Just as I was ready to break from the circle and take the creature by the hand, Bea’s dad spoke his own words of power. The coven repeated, “So mote it be,” and the wind pushed the handsome stranger back a step. He lifted an arm to ward it off, but stumbled into the shadows of the trees and disappeared completely from view.
    “Wait,” I implored.
    But the woman holding my hand squeezed it tightly and shook her head as if to say, “No, this is best.”
    Although I couldn’t see any movement, I could feel the others retreating as well. Their presence faded as the magic swelled.
    Bea was speaking now, conjuring fire. A warm pulse filled the circle, like a sudden flare from a bonfire. The other witches sensed their departure as well, and one by one, they turned and faced the inner circle again. I was the last to turn, still hoping to see a final glimpse of the alluring otherworldly creature who called me his lady.
    Nikolai’s water was like a soft mist, and by the