Page 43 of Found In Destruction

“God… Diana’s magic was felt all the way up…” the two men gave each other a knowing look and turned to their daughter.

“I’m concerned that you didn’t just tap into Bain’s magic. You channeled his form. Your body flickered and we saw your skeleton through your skin,” Lucifer explained.

“She what?” I had to hear that wrong. Practicing necromancy, even at a high level like Desmond’s didn’t make you straddle the veil–only a Bone Whisperer could do that.

“I can play the memory for you if you want to see. It was some of the strangest, most astounding magic I’ve seen,” Ares offered, in awe of Diana’s abilities.

Well fuck.

“You scared Red’s forces…and our own soldiers. The optics weren’t great, but it got the job done…” Lucifer mused.

“Fuck the optics. She could have done some serious damage. I checked the veil, and there was no permanent impact or tearing. It’s a fragile balance, Diana. You could have altered something you weren’t able to fix,” Bain snapped at her.

I knew Diana was a good woman, but her temper and emotions had a habit of amplifying her magic, which could be dangerous if it wasn’t controlled. That didn’t give Bain the right to talk to her that way though.

Ares stood from his seat and squared his shoulders. “You watch your tone. She didn’t know what she was doing,” he growled.

A charged energy crackled through the air, the two men’s magic feeling each other out like a supernatural pissing match. I hated male posturing usually, but Ares made it look good with the way his muscles flexed and the cunning tilt of his head.

“Doesn’t change the fact that her actions and lack of judgment have consequences.” Bain wasn’t as large as Ares, but he had an unmistakable air of danger that set my teeth on edge. I didn’t want to see these two fight, especially in my small room with Diana in the crosshairs. Her anxiety was mounting, drowning our soulbond.

Ares took a few steps, but before he attacked, I interjected, “I think we can agree that Diana didn’t mean any harm, and that there’s no need for any misplaced anger or fighting. I’m recovering and prefer a quiet, stress free room.” I laid back in my bed, sighing for effect. They backed off, and Ares sat back down.

Thank you,Diana linked me.

“Agreed, but I think we need to explore how Diana is even able to do this,” Michael reasoned. “I’m not even sure how we’d do it. Usually, magical beings grow up with their magic and it has time to develop with them throughout their lives. But you’re accelerating at such a fast rate, it’s hard to keep up with you.”

Diana shrugged, leaning her hip and shoulder against the wall. I patted the bed, and she sat next to me.

I know that look. There’s nothing wrong with you, and we’ll figure out how to navigate this like we have with every new change,I assured her, wrapping my arm around her side.

I hope you’re right, Zaz.She buried her face in my neck.

“I may know someone. She’s Judas’ old friend. I’ll see if she can be of service.” Bain said, then faded away.

“I don’t think this is anything to worry about yet, but we’ll keep an eye on it. Michael, can you fill me in on the call you had?” Lucifer pointedly asked.

The two faded out with Desmond, leaving Ares, Diana, and me behind. Ares carefully squished his way back into bed, practically smothering Diana. “No worries, Little G. We’ll make it work. This is going to be a battle-changer. I’m going to check in with Judas. You two rest up, and I’ll stop by later today for some more kisses.” He waggled his eyebrows at us before slowly fading from the room.

19

ARES

“Ican eat a whole rotisserie chicken and tub of potato salad!” I shouted. The guys stared at me, probably because they were jealous their macros didn’t even come close to mine. “That’s why I look like a Greek god and you’re lanky-chic.”

Bashwishedhe looked like this. That was probably why he was always so cranky.

You are completely lost in your delusion, huh? That is not a flex over the guys, because you ate that chickeny-goodness and potato-mayonnaise spackle trash when Diana left your sorry ass,Voice reminded me.Macros my ass…

“Ares, you shut the fuck up right now before I fly across this table and make you,” Bash gritted out.

“I know a way you can shut me up.” I licked my lips and grabbed my crotch. “I’m sure we could find an empty hallway somewhere.”

Bash rolled his eyes, then smirked to himself. “I know where you dream, dumbass. Your mind is always open, because there’s nothing to really guard. Hope you sleep soundly tonight…”

He better not come into my dreams and fuck around!

I got up to lunge across the table and choke him, but a bubble message floated across the room and landed on my empty plate, stealing my attention. I welcomed the distraction. Diana sat with Judas, Angie, and Charlie for breakfast today, because shemissed her aunt.She asked me not to come with her, so she could have some quality girl time, forcing me to pick on Bash to occupy myself. Watching her from afar felt like a major step back, even though we were mostly okay now.

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