Page 58 of Mending Mayhem

“Turn around, and walk out the door,” I said, but they didn’t listen.

Instead, Chaos took Ash’s hand and focused on George. “We’re in a hurry. You’ll allow us to leave with the clothing, free of charge.”

George laughed again. “Four witches! Father will be pleased.”

Interesting. It seemed our aura shrouds fooled the insolent being. He had no idea we were demons. It also seemed my brother’s mind control ability was useless against this being.

Chaos glared at him. “We are leaving and taking the clothing with us.”

“No, no. No one is leaving. Because you can’t pay, you have to stay.”

Ash attempted to step backward, but an invisible wall stopped her retreat. “What are you?”

He tapped his nametag. “I’m George. This is my store.”

She crossed her arms. “Not who. What.”

“He’s George,” Ember said, her arms hanging slack at her sides. “We’re going to stay here now.”

“The hell we are.” Ash gathered a fireball in her hand and lifted her arm to throw it at George.

Ember countered her, summoning her own fire and hurling it at her sister. The flames slammed into Ash’s chest and billowed around her before dissipating as if they’d never existed.

Ash’s mouth dropped open. “Seriously, Em?” She threw her fireball at her sister, the effect identical on her.

“Fire witches! What fun.” George bounced and clapped. “Oh, I know. Let’s have a girl fight.”

Ember glowered at her sister, stalking toward her with her fists clenched. Ash tried to retreat, but the magical wall stopped her. Ember clutched her shoulders and shoved her to the ground.

“I’m not going to fight you.” Ash crab walked backward. “We need to leave.”

“We’re staying here.” Ember lunged, landing atop her sister and punching the side of her face.

“Stop,” Chaos boomed. He grabbed Ember’s arm and hauled her up, but she turned on him, slamming her fists into his stomach. He lifted her, and she kicked, her arms flailing as her face reddened with anger.

“Get your witch under control,” he said.

If I moved to help him restrain her, George would see I was no witch. His witch leash might have tethered me to him, but he could not control me like he did Ember. I needed to keep up my charade long enough to learn his name. Only then could I free my witch from his control.

I crossed my arms to feign obstinance and sent a pulse of my magic into her. I could almost feel my mark heating on her arm as I reached into her psyche. Her magic countered mine instantly, and she stilled, her body relaxing as she scratched her head.

“We don’t need to fight,” she said. “Violence never solves anything.”

Chaos released his hold, and she offered a hand to Ash, helping her to her feet. She ran her fingers over the red spot she’d made on Ash’s cheek. “Oof. That’s going to leave a mark.”

“Ya think?” Ash took a jar of salve from her bag and spread it over the impending bruise.

“What spell is this that defeats my command?” George fisted his hands on his hips. “Not a spell. A connection. A shared magic.” He cocked his head at me. “What are you?”

“We asked you first.” Ash returned the jar to her bag.

“He’s George,” Ember said. “This is his store.”

Rage billowed in the pit of my stomach. My beast clawed to the surface, my talons and horns growing to their full size as I glared at the being.

“This is his store.” Ember put her hands on my chest. “I’m going to live with him.”

“No, my witch. You are not.” I stepped away from her, and my beast took control.

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