Page 48 of Mastering Mayhem

Mayhem stayed by my side. “What troubles you?”

I laughed dryly. “Take your pick.”

He rested a hand on my hip. “This is something new. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

I shrugged one shoulder and shook my head. “I don’t want to believe this is all happening because of us. My family. If our mom would have been honest with us from the start, if Cinder hadn’t taken matters into her own hands… We caused this.”

“No, Isabel caused this when she cursed your bloodline. The Holland witches are not to blame.”

“Do you know why she cursed our bloodline? Did she ever tell you?”

He lowered his gaze. “I never asked.”

Something between a sob and a laugh rolled up from my chest. “She cursed us because my great-great-times-however-many-greats grandma stole her man and founded the coven she was planning to build.”

I waited for him to respond, but he remained silent.

“So, yeah… The Holland witches are to blame.” I stepped toward the others, but he grasped my hand.

“I’m sure your ancestor had no way of knowing the ramifications, and anyway…” He cupped my chin in his hand, bringing my gaze to his. “When fate brings two people together, there is no use fighting it.”

“Don’t you dare give me the ‘everything happens for a reason’ spiel.”

“Some things do. Some don’t. We shouldn’t focus on what might have been while ignoring what is. That kind of thinking paralyzes people. Believe me, I know.” He dropped his hand to his side.

“Are you ready, brother?” Chaos called from the clearing.

Mayhem looked at me, silently arching a brow. He was right. Guilt was a paralyzing, useless emotion, and we didn’t have time for my pity party. He offered his hand, and I took it, allowing him to lead me into the clearing to join our team.

I left my sword sheathed and tugged the rope I carried from my shoulder, adjusting the lasso end until it was balanced properly for throwing. “You’re sure she won’t try to eat us?”

“Not entirely.” Mayhem moved next to Chaos.

I lowered the rope. “Not the answer I was expecting. You said they were docile.”

“I said they were docile unless provoked,” Chaos answered. “So don’t provoke her.”

“Because lassoing and hog-tying aren’t provocational at all.” I clenched my teeth, closing my eyes and reminding myself we were on the same team. “I’ll try my best. At least they’re not venomous.”

I tilted my head and batted my lashes, giving my sister’s demon the best demure face I could pull off. “Or are they?”

Mayhem chuckled. “They are not venomous, though their claws are razor-sharp and massive.”

“Note to self: Steer clear of the murder mittens. Got it.” I readjusted the rope. “She wasn’t far from here when we scried. Do your thing, and we’ll catch her.”

“Hold on! I’m here,” Patrice shouted as she scurried through the trees, her ginormous medical bag bouncing against her hip as she ran. “Sorry it took so long. I used the main road like a dummy.”

She stopped in her tracks when she reached the edge of the clearing and smoothed her hair back into her ponytail. Her gaze cut between the demons a few times before she focused on Ash. “I’ve got sutures, salves, and everything in-between.”

“Umm…?” I gave Ash a quizzical look.

“She texted and wanted to help.” Ash adjusted her rope. “We’re about to trap a magical combination of two apex predators, so I figured there might be injuries for her to heal.”

“That’s fair.” I nodded.

“Plus Inga and Luis are driving me bonkers. You’d think they were married with how much they argue.” She let out a nervous laugh and took a tiny step away from the demons.

“Also fair,” I said. “Mayhem and Chaos are about to work their demon magic to create a mental connection with the griffin. Once they do, they’ll open a rift and invite her to go home. Before she passes through, we’ll trap her and get the amulet. Then we’ll let her go and seal the rift.”

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