Page 164 of Magic of the Damned

“You need to get out of there. Come stay with me or our parents.”

I explained the ward to him and that I was safest in my apartment.

“Emoni’s with you, too?”

“Not by my doing or desire,” I said.

“Hey! Harsh,” she blurted.

“I’m not trying to be, but you realize if I could have protected you from this, I would have. The more people at risk, the more difficult things are for Dominic.”

“Dominic.” Forest said his name with a hint of aversion. He’d definitely attributed him to being the problem.

“He was just doing his job. Don’t blame him. If anyone is to blame, it’s Gloria. If I’d never been given the magic and marked, none of this would have happened.”

“What can I do to help?” he asked. I knew telling him to do nothing wouldn’t sit well with him, but that was the only thing he could do.

“Keep this information a secret and go on with your life as usual. Anything else would be suspicious.” I took out the phone Dominic gave me and sent him a text message so he’d know how to reach me. It eased the crease of worry on his face.

“Don’t worry. This will be over soon and everything will go back to normal.”

“Normal?” He didn’t believe that for one moment.

I shrugged. “As normal as it can be.”

“Don’t let anyone do anything to me,” he blurted.

“Like what?”

“Take my memories. If they’re able to erase videos and prevent recordings, I’m sure a person’s fragile mind isn’t hard to fuck with.”

“No one will do anything to you. If they try”—I turned the phone toward Emoni’s bag—“they’ll have to deal with Emoni and her bag of weapons.”

He was frowning when they came into view. Brow raised, his eyes migrated to the side, hoping to get a glimpse of her. I wondered if he was trying to imagine Emoni’s vision of herself as the kick-ass, weapon-wielding vigilante.

“Does she know how to use any of that?”

“I’m assuming she knows how to use zip ties. And our Lady of Wrath and Fire informed me that she can debone a chicken, and apparently that’s all one needs to fight shifters, vampires, and witches. Well, that’s what she believes.” I grinned at Forest’s thundering laugh, fully aware of Emoni’s intense glare drilling into the side of my face.

“Okay, now that I know you’re truly safe, I’ll worry a little less.” He wouldn’t. We said our goodbyes, but before we ended the call, he said, “Answer my texts. No matter what. I need to know you’re okay.”

It was the only compromise he’d give me, and I knew if I missed any messages, he wouldn’t abide by his agreement. It was understandable. If things were different and he was the one providing this information, I’m not sure I’d be as generous and understanding.

I agreed.

CHAPTER 9

An hour since the ward around my apartment had been placed and Dominic had left. Worry crept in and settled over me. Without a way to contact him, I began to think the worst. I didn’t think things would be resolved quickly, but I wanted to know about any progress. And I was worried about him.

I tried distracting myself with a book but couldn’t focus enough to get into the light, cute rom-com. Previously, an adorable main character and a grumpy love interest would have effortlessly held my attention. Now, it simply reminded me that there wasn’t anything quirky or lighthearted about my life at the moment.

And I couldn’t take any steps toward mending things with my job. Emoni had confirmed what I already knew: I didn’t have one. She discouraged me from contacting Cameron, the store owner.

“It’s better to do that face to face when everything is over, or at least controlled enough that you won’t have the threat of your life being upended again. If by some chance she allows you back, I doubt she’d give you a second chance.”

Emoni was right. But I needed a distraction.

“When is your next gig?” I asked.

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