Page 145 of Magic of the Damned

It didn’t go unnoticed how freely he had claimed the union between us. Having Vadim as an ally would ensure Peter could use him against Dominic, Helena, and Areleus.

From his appraising satisfied expression, I gathered he’d taken my silence as acceptance and not the same disdain and incredulity that raced through me when Ileana offered a similar plan. What the fuck was wrong with these people? Did great magic lead to being so malevolent and amoral?

“We’ll carefully sieve through those that remain. This is a good strategy. I thought I’d just have your magic to pull from, but now I have you. A far better situation, and I have the prince to thank for that.” Once again, I found myself under his unwavering inspection as he leaned forward.

“How did he do it?” he whispered.

“Do what?”

He wasn’t fooled. With a swipe of his hand, I was hoisted in the air, magic coiling and tightening around me, making breathing difficult. It continued its winding to my throat, cutting off all breathing. Panic seized me and a tear slid down my face.

He inched closer until his face was just out of reach. I closed my eyes and concentrated. Trying to break the bonds. Pulling at its strands. Trying to force my magic to destroy it. This magic was all about destruction and violence. Why wouldn’t it break the bonds?

“I’ve had this magic for hundreds of years. Honed it to perfection. Do you believe your days with use of it will match mine, Luna?”

I had a body, but I’d never questioned if I could die. As my head grew lighter, there was a clear answer. I could. I would. What would happen to my magic upon my death?

“I’ll ask you again, how did he do it?”

Was Dominic’s mother unknown to most?

A strangled sound escaped from me and he relaxed the magic.

“He had someone do it,” I choked out.

“Who?”

After a long stretch of silence, he gave me a few more inches of space. The hold of magic lessened enough for me to get some oxygen, but I was fully aware that just a flick of his wrist or an invocation of a spell could return the stranglehold.

“Release me and I’ll tell you.”

“You’ll tell me because I asked.” He was directly in front of me, trying to catch my eyes. Seeking eye contact reminded me that vampires required the same to compel someone. I wasn’t sure what Peter was going to do, but I knew me looking at him was essential. I closed my eyes. There was a tug at them, like fingers were being used to open them. I didn’t feel a body close to me or shadow from a body or an extremity near me. He was doing it with magic. He barked out a dark, cold laugh and pain surged through me.

I can do this. Luna, you can do this. Forcing all my will into my command, the coils loosened and a surge of power exploded from me. There was a loud thud and I opened my eyes to Peter coming to a stand, an appreciative look spreading over his face.

“Strong untrained magic. I can work with that.” Approaching me, he released his magic and I fell on my butt. Even through my attack, he was able to maintain his magic. I wasn’t a challenge to him. I needed more practice.

“There won’t be need for Dominic, Helena, or Areleus anymore. Killing them will be difficult. If I don’t succeed, we will secure them in the underworld, where they won’t be able to intervene where they aren’t needed.”

My expression betrayed me. His lips formed a dramatic pout. “Aw. Have you grown fond of that dreadful family? Or just Dominic?” His last comment a sheer mockery. I had no issue with him locking Helena and Areleus in the underworld. But not Dominic.

“Who did this to you, Luna?” he asked again.

“What? Abused me with magic? That would be you,” I hissed.

“Who are you protecting, Luna?”

It wasn’t protection. He wanted the information for a reason, and not a good one. I was doing what I could to limit his acquisition of power. I wasn’t completely confident he couldn’t get to Ileana, but based on Dominic’s stories, maybe they should meet. He might not walk away from that encounter. My gut was telling me not to give him the information, so I pressed my lips tightly together.

“I’d like to have you as a companion in this. It will be a lonely venture, but I’m quite capable of doing it by myself. All I need is your magic. I can take it with a spell, or I can use that gauche Garon in your pocket you’ve been trying so hard not to draw attention to.”

Shit. I shot into action. Snatching the Garon from my pocket, I launched at him and held on like a koala to their momma. Instead of being latched to his back, I held on to his torso. Any painful magic he inflicted on me, he’d feel himself. I evoked the spell. The magical object took its claim on my hand, drawing blood.

I couldn’t see if the Garon illuminated or if the black tendrils branched out in search of similar magic. But I could feel a different magic sweeping over me—over Peter. He croaked a sharp sound of surprise. A hum of words emitted from him, but the magic continued to suffuse. Thick and heavy, there was something dank and different about it. I no longer had a koala hold on Peter; it was the new magic securing us to each other.

A gray haze formed in front of us, a larger replication of the tendrils formed during my practice with the Garon. Coolness swept the room. Blinking several times, I took in the figure before it disappeared, leaving behind traces of the ominous magic.

The front door blasted open, raining splinters of wood everywhere.

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