Page 79 of Villainous Greed

I dashed into the hall, completely naked, holding the sword and portal chip, moments before black flames engulfed the room.Despite the blisters and burns on my shoulders, arms, and legs, my weapon was the only thing I needed to finish Derrick.The closest room was the one Payne used to sleep in before he mated with Joy. I discovered his old clothes and put them on.

Hearing a roar, I immediately went downstairs. Derrick’s dark fire hadspread,much to my disgust. Smoke billowed from the hallway leading to the kitchen. Joy, in her dragon form, had her lithe body wrapped around the cocoon, protecting her eggs. The babies were in flames, but it made sense Payne and Joy wanted to shield them from Derrick’s magic. Payne flew upwards, carrying Joy, who had her body wrapped around the eggs. My legs buckled as the entire castle shook beneath my feet. I used the portal chip right before the stone came down on top of me.

I hoped everyone else was okay. I would protect Nova the same way Payne and Joy saved their eggs.

Nova.

Derrick fucking had her!

When I ported in front of the burning castle, I saw everyone except for Joy and Payne. Sebastian and Isabella stood close together. Mom furrowed her brows, and Kitty held her hand over her chest as they watched Dad. He was so frail and haggard. Jackal had his arm draped over Maureen’s shoulder. Even Shepherd’s ugly gremlins were with him and Prudence, standing closer toward the woods.

Barron was reaching for Gwendolyn when he screamed, “Gwen!”

“Relax, son. She’s not a ghost.” When Dad swayed, reaching for Barron’s arm, Sebastian caught him.

“Yet! She’s not one yet,” Barron said. “If we’re without our powers too long…”

While I grieved for my brother, I had my mate to focus on.

I winced and said, “Derrick has Nova.”My skin felt like it was on fire. The clothes rubbed against my body, making the sensation worse. “I’m going to Melinda. I need her to make me a potion—”

“No need to come to me,” Melinda said, porting beside me. “I’m here.”

“Do you have a spell for me to find Nova?” I asked quickly. “I was never supposed to allow anyone to take her again.”

“Derrick would have never attacked unless he was sure he could take Nova. Just like when he kidnapped Joy, he waitedfor the right second. None of us were together,” Prudence said, walking toward me with Shepherd following her. “It’s not your fault.”

“She’s right,” Melinda agreed. “I don’t have a spell to use while you’re mortal, but you have something else we can find Nova with.”

“What?” I asked.

She pointed at my chest. “Your connection with her. You guys get stuck in your mate’s head now and then, right?” Everyone nodded. “Then you need to get inside Nova’s head and see where she’s at. Once you have a clear picture—”

“I can port to her,” I finished with a grin. “Thanks to you, I might stop holding grudges against witches.”

Melinda snorted. “Instead of hating on us, realize that the one you believed you lost was never really gone.”

“You’re right, but you’ve helped the family a lot,” I admitted.

“We’re in your debt,” Mom added.

“We’d never have gotten this far without your help,” Maureen said reluctantly.

“It’s almost like you’re our guardian angel,” Kitty finished, slapping a Slim Jim in her mouth, then smacked her palm over her forehead. “Ugh! Stupid habits. I’m not even hungry, but it’s instinct at this point.”

Since none of us had our curses while mortal, it made sense that Kitty wasn’t hungry.

Melinda, blushing from the attention, suddenly cleared her throat. She pointed to the ground and said, “Let’s sit. I’m going to need to touch your temples and you’re going to need to think of Nova.”

Crossing my legs on the grass in front of Melinda, I said, “Let’s hurry, please.”

My stomach felt like I had swallowed acid. Every second I spent talking was a moment Nova had to endure Derrick.

“Has anyone seen Joy and Payne?” Mom asked as she glanced around frantically.

“I saw them take off with the eggs,” Maureen blurted out.

Mom’s shoulders sagged. “Good.”

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