Page 19 of Magic Unleashed

Griff grunted, tossing the paper back onto the pile. "Trust isn’t exactly something I have a lot of these days."

Phoenix’s lips quirked into a small, wry smile. "Tell me about it."

For a moment, they sat in silence, everything they’d learned looming over them like a dark cloud. Griff’s frustration simmered beneath the surface, but as he glanced over at Phoenix, watching her delicate fingers trace the lines of a demonic symbol, he couldn’t deny the feelings he had for her—admiration, respect, lust. She was brilliant, driven, and capable of things that still astounded him. But she was also a puzzle, one he was determined to solve.

Finally, he broke the silence. "You know, for all your secrets and evasions, you’re damn good at what you do."

Phoenix glanced at him; one eyebrow raised in amusement. "Was that a compliment, Detective?"

Griff shrugged, leaning back against the couch. "Just calling it like I see it."

She smiled faintly, but the tension between them didn’t fully dissipate. There was still so much unsaid, so much left unresolved. And though they were working together now, there was no denying the ever-narrowing rift between their professional partnership and the undeniable connection that still simmered beneath the surface.

As they prepared for the next steps, for the inevitable confrontation with Fontaine and whoever was behind him, Griff couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get much worse. The evidence they’d uncovered pointed to something far larger than they’d anticipated—a network of corruption and dark magic that stretched deep into the city’s core.

And though he trusted Phoenix with his life, he still couldn’t fully trust her with his heart.

Yet.

Chapter

Eight

PHOENIX

Phoenix paced back and forth in the small living room of Griff’s shotgun cottage, her thoughts tangled in a web of duty and desire. The past few days had been a whirlwind—tracking down leads, uncovering dark magic, and battling her growing feelings for Griff. Every moment they spent together only complicated things further, which was why she had refused his invitation to stay with him.

She stole a glance at him across the room where he sat at the edge of the couch, his brow furrowed as he studied a document. His steady presence grounded her in a way she hadn’t expected. It made her want to reach out to him, to let him in. But that wasn’t how she operated. She was an enforcer, a fae trained to keep the magical balance, to deal with threats, not indulge in personal distractions.

Especially not with someone like Griff.

She stopped in front of the window, her gaze unfocused as she stared out at the quiet street. Her mind kept returning to the night they’d spent together, to the intensity of his touch, the way his lips claimed hers like she was something he’d waited a lifetime for. She hated how much she wanted it to happen again,how her mind wandered to him when she needed to stay focused on the threat that loomed over New Orleans.

The cult was growing bolder, their summoning rituals increasing in frequency. Fontaine wasn’t just dabbling in demon magic—he was neck-deep in it. The city was teetering on the edge of something catastrophic, and she needed every ounce of focus to stop it.

Still, the feelings for Griff lingered, unresolved and dangerous. Every glance, every touch, reminded her that there was more between them than just an alliance. It was undeniable, but it was also a liability. One she couldn’t afford.

“You okay over there?” Griff’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Phoenix turned, crossing her arms to shield herself from the vulnerability she knew was creeping into her expression. “I’m fine. Just thinking.”

He gave her a skeptical look but didn’t press. She appreciated that about him. He always seemed to know when to push and when to back off.

“We need more help,” she said, forcing her voice to steady. “We can’t do this alone, not with Fontaine’s influence spreading the way it is.”

Griff nodded, tossing the papers onto the coffee table. “Agreed. Got anyone in mind?”

Phoenix hesitated, weighing her next move. It wasn’t just about bringing in more allies—it was about letting Griff deeper into her world, the one she kept closely guarded. But there was no avoiding it now. The stakes were too high.

“I know someone,” she said, finally. “He’s… unconventional, but he’s good. He’s a demon hunter, knows the underground better than anyone.”

Griff raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What’s his name?”

“Ash Shadowbane.”

Griff’s face twisted into a wry smile. “Shadowbane? You can’t be serious?”

Phoenix sighed. “I know, it sounds ridiculous, but trust me, he’s legit. He’s saved my ass more than once.”

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