Page 17 of Magic Unrestrained

The chamber exploded into chaos as steel clashed with steel, magic crackling in the air as fae spells met demonic strength. Savannah’s heart raced as she fought, her movements sharp and precise, but the sheer number of enforcers made it difficult to gain the upper hand.

She fought off two enforcers at once, her wings unfurling in a burst of power as she spun through the air, slashing at them with her dagger. But even as she fought, her mind was elsewhere—torn between her fae heritage and her loyalty to her family, to the city she had vowed to protect. And then there was Gage—the man who had wormed his way into her heart, despite every warning she had given herself.

Her breath hitched as she watched Gage, his eyes dark with fury, his movements becoming more savage with every strike. He was losing control, the demonic power inside him rising to the surface, threatening to consume him. And yet, there was something beautiful about the way he fought—something raw and powerful that called to her in a way she couldn’t deny.

But as the battle raged on, Savannah realized that she couldn’t afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment.

“Enough!”

The sudden, booming voice echoed through the chamber, freezing everyone in place. From the shadows emerged Grungle, the Sewer King, his beady eyes glinting with fury as he strodeforward, his misshapen form casting a long shadow across the chamber.

“This is my domain,” Grungle growled, his voice low and menacing. “And you have no right to be here, Thornheart.”

The fae enforcer sneered but didn’t move, his eyes flicking to the key in the wall. “This is bigger than you, Sewer King. That key?—”

“—belongs to me,” Grungle interrupted, his voice like gravel. He snatched the key away and tucked it into the garment he was wearing. “And so do these tunnels, more or less. Leave now, or I’ll make sure you regret it.”

For a long, tense moment, it seemed as though Thornheart might fight back, but then, with a sharp gesture, he motioned for his men to stand down.

“This isn’t over,” Thornheart hissed, his eyes locking onto Savannah’s. “You can’t run from your heritage forever, Duvall.”

With that, he and his enforcers disappeared into the shadows, leaving Savannah and Gage alone with Grungle.

The tension in the chamber eased slightly, but Savannah’s heart still pounded in her chest as she turned to face Grungle. “Thank you.”

Grungle waved a hand dismissively. “You’re lucky I like you, water fae. Otherwise, I’d have let him kill you.” Savannah gave him a wry smile, but it quickly faded as Grungle’s expression grew serious. “There’s more at play here than just that key,” he said quietly. “Falwell plans to poison the city’s water supply with demonic energy.”

“Again?” asked Savannah incredulously. Gage looked at her. “Didn’t we just go through this a couple of months ago?”

Grungle nodded. “Falwell plans to use the key to open a gateway—one that will flood the city with darkness.”

Savannah’s blood ran cold. “We need to stop him.”

Grungle nodded. “You need to warn your police friends. You don’t have much time.”

Savannah exchanged a glance with Gage, the weight of Grungle’s words settling heavily between them. They couldn’t do this alone.

They raced out of the sewer and up to the street. Savannah texted a warning to both Griff and Zane, but she couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling in her chest. She and Gage had fought side by side, and their connection had only deepened in the face of danger. But there was still so much unspoken between them—so many questions that needed answering.

“Savannah,” Gage said, his voice low. “We need to talk.”

Savannah’s heart pounded, but she forced herself to nod. “I know.”

The city seemed to be closing in around them, but the weight of what lay ahead—both the battle and the feelings simmering between them—threatened to pull them apart before they could even begin.

Chapter

Nine

GAGE

The night clung to Gage like a second skin, the humid air of New Orleans pressing down on him as he stalked through the narrow, winding streets toward Madame Vesper’s infamous establishment. His mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts—anger, frustration, and an overwhelming need to find Savannah. She had disappeared after they’d warned Griff and Zane about Falwell’s plot, slipping through his fingers like smoke. He couldn’t shake the gnawing fear in his gut that she was diving headfirst into danger, alone.

And that made him reckless.

The lavish, red-lit mansion that housed Madame Vesper’s brothel loomed ahead, a beacon of decadence and power in the heart of the French Quarter. Gage’s instincts told him that something was happening here tonight, something tied to the dark forces swirling beneath the surface of the city. Vesper had always been more than just a powerful vampire madame—she was a master manipulator, a centuries-old player in the supernatural underworld. And right now, she was gathering supporters for the final phase of whatever plan she and Falwell had concocted.

Gage needed to know what that plan was. He needed to stop it.

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