Power bloomed in her body as her mage took over. Caine chanted an ancient spell, and something in her mind recognized the words: a spell for traveling. Instantly, she joined in, the familiar Angelic words tumbling from her lips. As they spoke, their bodies glowed with a protective light—a thick, vernal aura that rushed over her skin, whirling around the pair like a storm wind.

At the spell’s completion, mist surrounded them, and Caine slipped the ring onto her finger again. His arms encircled her protectively, his heart pounding hard against her chest.

Where were they? She didn’t want to utter a word in case Bileth still lurked nearby, but when the air thinned, she found herself looking at a thick grove of firs. This wasn’t Salem.

Rosalind let out a long, slow breath as relief flooded her. “Where are we?” she whispered. Caine’s body was a beacon of warmth in the cool forest, but she forced herself to step out of his embrace.

He smiled. “Great Misery Island. You do realize we just performed a powerful spell together? Our auras mingled beautifully.”

Her head throbbed. “You mean, your aura mingled with Cleo’s perfectly.”

“Either way, I couldn’t have done it without you,” he said.

In the chilly sea air, she hugged herself. “I didn’t feel the flames. The mage seemed more focused.”

“I was with you the whole time. And Cleo must have known it was life or death. Maybe she hates you, but she doesn’t want her host’s body to die. Especially not before she got a chance to get her hands on me.”

Rosalind studied him. “Were you pinioned by Bileth’s magic the whole time? It seems awfully convenient that you only broke free at the last second when I was about to stab you.”

“I let Bileth torture me,” Caine said. “He wanted revenge, so I let him have some. And I wanted to see what you would do. I would have stepped in if it seemed like you were about to die.”

“Seven hells, Caine. He practically murdered me.”

“I did tell you to stay in the house. If you were a foot soldier in the army I commanded, I’d have to punish you.”

She forced that image out of her mind. “You’re not my commanding officer, and I don’t foresee that happening. We’ve already established I can take you in a fight. But maybe you should find some courtesans for Bileth so he’ll leave us alone. Perhaps you could glamour yourself to look like a beautiful, submissive woman and tend to his needs. I hear you’re an expert in the seductive arts.”

He grimaced. “Ugh. That sort of comment would get you a severe punishment if you were my foot soldier.”

“Stop with the punishment thing. You like that idea a little too much.”

“Right.” He turned, trudging through the thick undergrowth. “We need to keep going. We must find Tammi and Aurora. Omerelle lives somewhere nearby, and they may arrive soon.”

She followed him, snapping over twigs. “Omerelle? Who is this woman?”