Free Destined Magic by Caryn Moya Block

him. He put his head over hers. The need to comfort her and keep her safe overwhelmed him. Nothing can happen to her.
    “He said Brenna had s ent them to fetch me. But then, I ran up the cliff. He caught me, and I used my magic to turn the ocean mist on his face to ice. He swore at me and said he would kill me. It would be easier that way, and they would find another sacrifice. I’m not sure if he spoke to me or to himself.”
    Sacrifice? Garrett’s arms tightened around her. Brenna wanted to use Ella in one of her blood -cult rituals? Over his dead body .
    Ella shuddered again and wrapped her arms around his waist , squeezing tight. “My own sister wants me dead.”
    “I am so sorry, Ella. I know that must hurt. Remember that your sister has turned to evil. Her soul is blackened. She isn’t the loving sibling you once knew. We’ll figure out what to do, together.”
    She nodded.
     

Chapter Six
     
    “That gives us three days to figure out what to do.” Garrett sat at the table in the conference room at Guardian headquarters. Gabriella sat next to him, while the other, eleven Guardians took the remaining chairs. The letter, Gabriella’s mother’s gold ring, and the envelope left on Gabriella’s bed lay on the table after having been tested for possible poison and curses. They were clean. Brenna’s letter asked Gabriella to meet her at the Blue Dolphin in three days.
    “It’s probably a trap ,” Tolya said. “Your mate should stay away.” Lycans protected their women, and in this case Garrett had to agree. He didn’t want Ella anywhere near the pub.
    “It might be a trap. But her sister doesn’t know that Gabriella fo und her Destined One and that Garrett is a Guardian. The trap is probably set for Gabriella. But we can back her up,” Damek said, leaning forward. Garrett frowned at his cousin.
    “I agree,” Mabel said , giving both Gabriella and Garrett a look of pity. “This could be our chance to capture Brenna and more blood-cult members. The information you have from Gabriella and the Blacksmith suggests that this problem is far bigger and more widespread than we imagined. We need as much information as we can gather.”
    “You want to use her as bait?” Tolya asked , frowning.
    Everyone started talking at once. Garrett sighed and reached over to take Ella’s hand. She hadn’t said much since they found the letter and returned to London. Right now, her head was lowered and her hands were clasped in her lap. He laid his palm over her white knuckles.
    She lifted her head and looked at him.
    “I won’t let anything happen to you. I will keep you safe,” he promised her, hoping it was true. She nodded and entwined her fingers with his.
    The room quieted , and Garrett turned to find everyone looking at him. He looked over at Mabel. She was their leader. Her decision would be final.
    “I know I’m asking a lot ,” Mabel said. “But this opportunity is too good to pass up. What have you found out from the coven members who attacked Gabriella?”
    Haytham Luften, a ir witch and lead interrogator, spoke up. “Most of them refuse to talk. But the youngest one, a seventeen-year-old boy, decided to be brave. He told me they meet in secret. That this Red Wizard uses powerful spells to shield their meeting places. He truly believes that there is nothing we can do to stop them. The kid likes to brag.” Haytham shook his head, making his white-blond hair fall over his eyes.
    “That information isn’t exactly new, but it does coincide with what we learned from the Blacksmith. Gabriella, you said when you tried to scry where your sister was located, the cult knew you were doing so?” Mabel asked.
    “Yes, Brenna looked right at me and said we would be meeting soon ,” Gabriella said immediately, her voice firm. Garrett squeezed her hand. He was proud of her.
    “There’s more,” Haytham interrupted. “All the cult members are marked on their left breast with a hexagon made up of equal triangles.