Page 14 of Princess of Hell

The illusion broke, and I felt as if I was falling, hard and fast. I woke up on the floor of the magic store, gasping for air.

“Princess, here. Drink.” Anne crouched on the floor next to me, holding a can of Coca-Cola Zero, careful not to touch me.

Jacks, on the other hand, touched me. His hand held mine and he yelled at Anne.

“What have you done to her?” Jacks growled to the witch. I expected her to be at least scared, but she appeared not to care, not to be frightened by being in her store with a werewolf shifter and the Princess of Hell.

“Nothing, shifter. This type of spell is strong and takes a lot out of your substance. She needs a Coke and maybe something to eat. She’ll be fine. See to her. I need to grab the substance of the spell before it evaporates.”

Her footsteps echoed as she walked away.

“Hey, Silver. Don’t make me slap you. Talk to me. Wake up.”

A small smile appeared on my lips. “You know it would hurt you more, right?”

I had to snort-laugh as he touched me gingerly, careful not to touch my skin. It was nice, warm. As Jacks looked into my eyes, I sensed the heat. I believed he was honestly concerned about me.

“I’m okay—just a little dizzy. Be careful. Don’t touch me.”

Jacks looked into my eyes. Fully. “I’m not afraid to get burned.”

Jacks offered me his hand, and I took it. His hand was warm compared to mine. I’m cold-blooded. My skin feels like cold stone. I get warm only when my surroundings are warm enough.

“I’ll be good. No need to worry.” I was on my feet, my wobbly feet. Still, it was more dignified than sitting on my ass on the hardwood floor.

Anne popped out from behind thick gold-green curtains that had tiny suns and moons embroidery on them. She held a small crystal that hung from a chain.

“The necklace is here in Miami. I can’t pinpoint it because it’s always moving. Whoever stole it from you went to great lengths to make sure a spell can’t catch it. Sorry.”

“How do I use it?”

“As soon as you open the map of Miami on your phone, place the crystal over it. The crystal will change color as you get closer to the necklace, turning from yellow to orange. It’ll shine red when you locate where your item is.”

I snatched it from her. “Let’s see.”

I opened my app and watched the crystal change colors as I swung it back and forth across the screen. The crystal suddenly glowed red.

“Where’s this, Jacks?”

“Oh, fuck. That’s the harbor.”

“We’ve to go. Now!”

“Good luck, Princess,” Anne called out as we left the shop.

“We’ll take my bike. It’s faster,” Jacks called out.

He climbed onto his giant hog, and I jumped on behind him, my thighs holding on to his. I pulled my hair together and stuck it under the collar of my leather jacket.

“I don’t have a helmet. Sorry.”

“Just drive!”

“Come on, guys. We’re heading to the harbor.”

Drae was already on his bike and started it. River ran to his bike from somewhere. I hadn’t known the guy for more than twenty-four hours, but I began to understand the pack dynamics. River always had a girl somewhere popping up like a Mud Demon after rain. Ugh.

I was so excited at the possibility of seeing my necklace again, and of maybe even finding my mother. In my heart, I knew now that the necklace and my mom were connected in a way that wasn’t clear. It just was.

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