Page 52 of Bitten By Desire

My head dropped. How cruel the fae were to create actual life only to be used for their own selfish purposes and then discarded and destroyed like an object. Which forced another disturbing thought—did that mean the general was also someone who had no choice in his actions? I recalled his insistence that he regretted what he was doing when he hooked me to the machine. Still…he seemed at least aware of his actions, as opposed to the Lorraine changeling.

Julian pulled me into an embrace, setting his chin on my head and rocking us slowly. I tried to remind myself that Lorraine had killed a man and would have assaulted Binx and Julian, maybe killed them too. And that the general had done horrible things as well. But I knew what it was like to be forced to do something despite your own will. I’d felt that myself with Silas, with the major.

But I’d also done as much to others too many times to count.

You aren’t the same, Julian whispered in my mind, somehow knowing the dark place my thoughts brought me to.

I hate this, I answered. They both need to be stopped. The demons and the fairies. I’m tired of other people deciding they’re so important that they can use everyone else like pawns.

Chapter 17

Ready Set Attack

We spent the remainder of our time planning our own surprise for the trap the fae had set on Monster Island. Once again, I’d returned to the place that felt most like a home. And once again, it posed the most danger to me.

We portalled directly inside Hazel’s cottage, where wards had been erected to prevent the prying cameras of SHADE.

Thankfully, the sun had just set, allowing Zoe and Hazel to return with Binx in tow. He lay in Hazel’s bed, trapped in a restless sleep, head thrashing back and forth against the pillows. His arm, shoulder, and side had been wrapped in bandages with magical salve, and Hazel had stabilized everything from his neck down so he couldn’t damage it further. It broke my heart to see him like that with sweat shining on his forehead and caught in delirium that clearly wasn’t pleasant. But I forced myself to stay by his side for as long as possible, feeling it was the least I could do.

“I’m sorry,” I told him as he mumbled something in his dream. “I’m going to find a way to help you—help all of you. You’re all in this mess because of me.”

Something soft and warm curled around my ankles, sliding against my skin. I reached down to lift Karma, in furry cat form, into my lap. He blinked his yellow eyes at me as if to admonish me for feeling guilty. I scratched behind his ears, letting his soft purr vibrate through me and feeling much better.

“We could just have him turn into a dragon again and burn them all.”

I turned to find Hazel leaning against the doorframe.

“I wish. But the demons breathe fire too, and who knows what else? I’d rather keep Karma safe than risk him too.”

Karma leaped off my lap and went to wind around the ankles of his witch.

“Maybe dragon isn’t the right choice.” Hazel joined me at my side and looked down at Binx. “I’m glad we’re here. Zoe is amazing, but she’s wearing herself out. I don’t think she’ll be able to transport anymore after the meeting tonight. I’m thinking of putting a sleeping draught in her coffee tumbler she plans to have after sending you through. She thinks it’ll help her stay alert.”

I reached up and squeezed her hand. “Good plan. If we don’t stop her, she’ll get herself sick, and we don’t need anyone else hurt.”

Neither of us said the obvious. That this would be Binx’s last night if we didn’t do something. It wasn’t like we were busy anyway, fighting demons and fae or anything.

A commotion in the other room got our attention and we left Binx to rest. When I lay eyes on Daphne, whole and well, I rushed over to her to throw my arms around her neck, nearly knocking her down. Her floral scent wrapped around me, and even though I detected lavender, it felt safe because it was mixed with hyacinth, rose, and honeysuckle. She smelled like Daphne.

“You’re okay,” I said, thankful that at least one of my friends had recovered.

She laughed, which always sounded like the tinkling of bells. “I recovered, thanks to my land. And now I’m ready to kick some ass, especially that demon Sirena’s.”

Despite the nervous energy of everyone in the room, we all talked and chatted and nibbled on Hazel’s homemade cookies as we waited for the right time. All of us except Tabitha and Lorraine, that is. They both sat politely at the table, Tabitha partaking of the sweets, but neither joined in the comradery of the rest of us. I felt bad for Tabitha and decided she just needed more time to learn what real friends were like. But Lorraine? My thoughts were as conflicted as those about my father. What should I and should I not blame on her? It was one thing to understand why she did what she did, another to accept it.

“It’s time,” Zoe said, sending a hush over the room like a blanket smothering fire.

My chest tightened and my stomach clenched with nerves. Julian took my hand, reminding me that everyone here was making their own choice. I wasn’t forcing anyone. But the idea of any of them being hurt or killed because of me…

This will work, he assured me as the others stepped through one by one. With a quick kiss, he disappeared into the portal, and I was left with Zoe and Karma, who sat on the table pawing at the spot where the portal had closed.

“Give them a few minutes to get in place.” Zoe grinned as she set a hand on my arm, but all I saw was her pale face, thinner than normal, and the dark circles she’d tried to cover with makeup.

I glanced at the coffee beside her, knowing she’d fall asleep after I stepped through. I said a little prayer as I waited.

Mama, if you’re up there, send us some luck for tonight. Watch over the good guys, would you?

Then I stepped through the portal and into the center of a ring of demons.

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