Page 29 of Mayhem and Ember

“A chance to right a wrong.” I turned the grimoire toward Shade, and he and Miles studied the spell.

Mayhem laughed. “If the curse on your bloodline is the wrong to which you’re referring, you will be sorely disappointed. Isabel is the one who wronged you. We simply did as she requested in exchange for her soul.”

I crossed my arms. “Which you never got to claim because she outsmarted you.”

Ash touched her fingers to my elbow, her silent reminder to cool my jets. We had more important things to do than to waste time one-upping an arrogant hellion.

“Everyone ready?” I closed the book.

“Good luck convincing him to pass through without an offering,” he said. “We came easily because you released us from prison. Discord is already free.”

“What did Isabel offer when she summoned you?” Ash asked Chaos.

“Her soul,” Shade answered for him. “He already said that.”

“We will entice Discord with the chance to claim our prize.” Chaos moved next to his brother, laying a palm on his shoulder. “For Isabel’s debt finally to be paid.”

“Revenge.” Mayhem nodded. “It might work.”

“It’s worth a shot. Shall we?” Ash held out her hand, and Chaos took it. “Someone hold on to Mayhem. If Discord senses his brothers here, he’s more likely to come through.”

“And bring Cinder with him?” Miles took Ash’s other hand.

“If she is alive,” Mayhem said.

“She is. Come on.” I grabbed Mayhem’s hand, and pinpricks spiraled up my arm to lodge in my chest. I grasped Chaos with my other hand, but he didn’t affect me like Mayhem. He never had.

And those pinpricks coming from the latest addition to our demon collection…? Not unpleasant in the slightest. He felt like raw power, and my body wanted more.

Shade strolled around the circle to take Mayhem’s free hand, and I watched him for a sign that the pinpricks registered in his psyche like they did mine. He didn’t react, but I had no doubt once the demon shared his energy with us, then Shade would feel it. How could he not?

“Ready, set, go.” I let my magic run down my arms and into the demons on either side of me. Okay, yes… I did send a smidge more power into Mayhem, just to remind him I wasn’t some dainty little kitchen witch. He might’ve been a hurricane, but I was no light afternoon rain.

He cut his gaze toward me, one corner of his mouth lifting either in amusement or appreciation. I didn’t dare ask which.

Chaos opened to me first, the familiar tingles of Underworld magic seeping into my palm and filling my body with power. I allowed it to flow into Mayhem, and he chuckled.

“Are you holding back, brother?”

Chaos’s fingers twitched. “As should you. Witches are mortal beings.”

Shade gasped and swallowed hard, and Mayhem laughed again. The pinpricks buzzing through my body intensified before a tidal wave of untamed magic blasted through my psyche, setting my nerves ablaze.

I did my best not to react, but damn. This demon made every part of my body tingle.

Every. Part.

I cleared my throat to stop my voice from coming out as a squeak. “All of us together.”

We recited the summoning spell in unison. Nothing happened.

I squeezed the guys’ hands. “Again, and this time give it everything you’ve got.”

The demon magic running through me intensified, and we spoke the words three more times. Still nothing.

“I told you that you needed an offering.” Mayhem tried to pull from my grasp, but I tightened my grip. “Share more of your power. We need to make damn sure Discord knows his brothers are here.”

A raging river of strong, feral electricity flowed into me, spiraling through my body and making my toes curl in my boots. I fought a gasp, again not daring to let him know how he affected me. I refused to give him the satisfaction.

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