Page 21 of Mastering Mayhem

We stopped in front of the building, a ten-story brick and glass structure with three sets of heavy double doors. No sign announced the name of the owner, but the magical vibration of the wards turned my skin to gooseflesh.

“Go ahead and powder the doors,” I said, looking at my demon because I had no idea where Shade stood.

“It’s already done. I’m going to grab your hand. Don’t react.” Warmth and pressure wrapped around my wrist before Shade slid his hand down to clutch mine.

I took Mayhem’s hand. “The spell Ash concocted is temporary. It shouldn’t set off any alarms, but we have to cross the ward immediately before it resets.”

Mayhem opened his power to me, and I fought a gasp as the low vibration and pinpricking sensation traveled up my arm to spread through my body. I shared a little of it with Shade so we could cast this spell without draining our vim too much.

We recited the incantation together. “Ward of light, this is our plight. Peel away your hood so we may enter for the greater good.”

The energy on the building wavered, the pressure of the ward lifting, blinking out. I tugged from Shade’s grasp and held Mayhem’s arm, ushering him toward the middle set of doors and praying to the goddess that this was the only ward on the auction.

“We’re inside,” I said, still fighting the urge to touch my earpiece and rearrange my boobs.

“Good,” Miles replied. “Someone should approach you to check in.”

“Oh, no. You clearly didn’t read the rules of the auction.” A witch in a dark gray suit and red stilettos clicked toward us, shaking her head and gesturing at what I could only imagine was Shade.

“Either drop your shadow or kindly leave the premises.” She tapped her finger on a tablet screen and arched a brow.

Shade sighed heavily and appeared next to Mayhem.

The woman clicked her tongue. “No shadow magic, no weapons, no spells intended to affect the outcome of the auction. You received the rules via email after you registered, Mr…?

“I apologize, ma’am.” Mayhem laid on a heavy Texas accent. “My name is Boyd Anderson, and this here is my wife, Ember.”

She swiped the screen and tapped it three times. “Yes, you and your wife are registered.”

“This is my assistant, Shade. His shadow has a mind of its own when he’s nervous.” He lowered his voice and winked. “He’s kinda shy and as awkward as a nun in a whorehouse. Please forgive his transgression.”

A blush spread across the woman’s cheeks as she gazed into my demon’s eyes, and I suddenly felt the urge to gouge out hers. Okay, I wouldn’t really do that, and I knew he was charming her so we could complete our mission, but damn.

Jealousy was such an ugly emotion. I suppose I’d never cared about anyone enough to feel it before.

The woman cleared her throat. “He isn’t on the list.”

“Surely you can add him… I apologize again, ma’am. I missed your name.” Mayhem stepped toward her, his gaze slipping to her mouth before returning to her eyes.

I bristled and clenched my teeth.

She swallowed audibly. “It’s Hazel.”

“Hazel, Shade is also my accountant, and I need him present when I make large purchases. I plan to spend a lot of money today.” He winked again, and my stomach tightened along with my jaw.

“Well…” She let out a breathy laugh. “We don’t normally make exceptions, Mr. Anderson, but I see you’ve been verified as a platinum-level bidder. If I can see his ID, I’ll add him to your registration.”

The tendons in Shade’s neck were so tight, you could’ve plucked them like guitar strings, and a vein on his temple looked like it was about to burst.

“Give it to her, Shade,” Miles said through the coms. “It’s not ideal, but we don’t have a choice.”

He dug his wallet from his jacket and offered her his ID. “I won’t be bidding. Just assisting.”

She scanned the barcode on the back of his license and returned it to him. “Thank you, sir. This way.”

Her heels clicked on the tile as we followed her through the foyer. Mine clicked a little too, but the sound was lower, much more practical. Thudding boot heels would have been better.

“Stop fidgeting,” Mayhem said under his breath. “You must appear confident in your clothing.”

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