Page 10 of Mastering Mayhem

“Ready?” Ash asked.

“Absolutely.” The sooner I could get thiswrongdemon magic out of my system, the better.

I inhaled deeply, focusing my intent on the ouroboros. “Neutralize, dissolve, dismiss. This magic bind no longer exists.”

We recited the incantation two times in unison, feeding off Chaos’s power and using him as a channel as we opened ourselves to each other. My sister’s high vibration mixed with her demon’s low, tempering the sickening feeling in my stomach.

The snake writhed on Mayhem’s wrist, eating more of its tail and growing tighter.

“It appears your spell is doing the opposite of what you intended,” he said.

“We aren’t finished.” I touched three fingers to the bracelet, and Ash did the same. “Neutralize, dissolve, dismiss. This magic bind no longer exists. As we will it, so mote it be.”

My head spun, and my stomach lurched, though I couldn’t tell if it was from the wrongness of Chaos’s power flowing through me or from the ouroboros fighting back. Another wave of demon magic crashed into me, and I squeezed my eyes shut, sending it down my arm and out my fingers, focusing everything I had on removing the damn bracelet.

“You’re hurting her, brother,” Mayhem said. “Release my witch.”

“I’m fine.” I strained, grinding my teeth until sharp pain shot from my jaw to my temple. I pushed one more surge of magic—mine, his, and Ash’s—into the bracelet.

The snake hissed. Then it screamed. Its mouth opened, and I yanked the tail from its throat, hurling the offending little bastard across the room. Chaos let me go, and I stumbled forward, catching myself on Mayhem’s chest.

My demon wrapped his arms around me, holding me as I sagged against him. I heaved in a breath, willing Chaos’s magic to dissipate, and Mayhem stroked my hair, pressing a kiss to my aching temple as he tucked a lock behind my ear.

“I have you,” he whispered. “You’re safe now.”

And goddess-dammit if I didn’tfeelsafe wrapped in his embrace. Safe, secure, wanted, loved. I inhaled his warm campfire and cinnamon scent and allowed myself a moment—just a fleeting moment—before I pulled away and tucked another lock of hair behind my other ear. “I’m fine. This was our last side quest.”

“Here’s hoping.” Ash handed me a cloth, and I wiped the remaining potion powder from my palm.

The building rumbled, the structure groaning against the weight of the roof. Ash looked at me wide-eyed before slinging her bag over her shoulder. “We need to go.”

“Hold on.” I scanned the room. The walls shimmered as if another layer of magic was dissolving around us. “How much glamour did Donal put on this place?”

“I’d rather not find out. Come on.” My sister strode to the door, and Chaos followed her outside.

The walls and ceiling wavered as the magic dissipated. What was left of the clothing and accessories remained intact, which was a good thing. I doubted the auction house would allow good ol’ Boyd “Big Oil” from Texas into the building if his clothes dissolved.

“We should leave.” Mayhem clutched my hand.

“I want to go shopping first.” I tugged from his grasp and grabbed a shirt and a pair of stretchy cargo pants from a rack. “Size six. Perfect.” I draped them over my arm along with the little black dress, and Mayhem arched a brow.

“He stole my life force. Comping an outfit or two is the least he can do.” I jerked my head toward the exit, and he followed me outside.

My eyes watered in the blinding afternoon sun, and I turned my back against it, facing the store. The outside shimmered, shuddering and groaning, the façade wavering like heat coming off a blacktop. Starting from the rooftop, the magic melted away like candle wax, sliding down and revealing a decrepit barn where the store once stood.

“Holy mother of magic.” I tilted my head, my brain refusing to accept the image my eyes clearly took in. “That’s the most impressive cloak I’ve ever seen.”

“The Formorians were known for their skill in deception.” Mayhem rested a hand against the small of my back. “It’s one of the reasons my kind worked with the fae to eradicate them. That and their mind-control power, which you witnessed today.”

“When we get to New York, we’ll make an anonymous call to the police about the bodies. Eff you, Formorian asshat.” I gave what was left of “George’s” store a one-fingered salute before turning on my heel and marching to the van.

Shade lay across Miles’s lap in the middle seat, and Chaos and Ash sat squished into the half-seat in the way back.

“Is he going to be okay, or do we need to find a hospital?” I climbed into the driver’s seat. The van was already running, the heater making it warm and toasty inside.

“I’ll be fine.” Shade struggled to sit up, but Miles rested a hand on his shoulder, gently holding him down.

“Ash used a salve she got from Patrice,” Miles said. “It’ll take an hour or so to finish, but he’s already healing.”

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