Page 15 of Charming Her Monsters

I don’t promise the little guy anything. There’s no use in arguing with him. He loves her. Perhaps he’s right. Perhaps she is just a victim of all this, but I don’t like any of it. Osen’s death is connected to Rob. And Jade’s connected to Rob. I really don’t like this ex of hers. He almost killed me. I could have lost most of my memories of Osen with that. Would that be a good thing, though? Would it lessen the pain that I feel?

I have to remind myself it’s only been a week or so since he died.

I wish I could trust Jade, and that Osen really is coming through her. But does it matter when he will probably fade away soon, and I will lose him all over again?

“Maybe you should help her,” Trouble says.

I frown, not wanting to even entertain the idea. “How?”

“Do what the demon and the wolf did. Clear her witch holes.”

I cough and then actually laugh at the absurdity of the idea. “I willnotbe touching her… holes.”

“Too bad. It seems like it makes her happier,” Trouble says with a touch of disappointment. “And the demon and wolf were happier, too.”

I say nothing to that.

I don’t know if Iwantto be happier. Perhaps I want to wallow in my grief.

5

SAFEHOUSES

JADE

Ihate that Calder hates me. From his perspective, I’m the enemy outsider, connected to his beloved Osen.

I’ve invaded his tribe.

The problem is, until things get resolved with Osen’s spirit and his murder mystery, I don’t think even Calder will let me out of his sight.

Beyond that? I’m not sure what will happen.

After I thank him for saving me, Calder could light my ass on fire with the glare he gives me.

Arran’s muscular arms surround me, and he reassures me that everything will be okay.

I’m not so sure.

Being positive is all well and good, but… life. Well, it isn’t always wine and lubed cocks. Or however that saying goes.

It’s hard to think clearly with these two hotties pressing close with all their sexy.

Maxum’s obsidian gaze locks onto me. “Is there anything else you need to tell us?” He doesn’t sound mad, just concerned.

“I didn’t realize about the necklace. I would never have put you all in danger.” My eyes sting as I acknowledge I’m in trouble, and I don’t know what I should do about it. I reach into my mind again to see if I sense Osen, but I feel nothing in response.

“Uh, guys. Hear me out… I should stay behind,” I say, focusing on my hands instead of looking at Maxum or Arran.

They suck in a breath to argue, but I hold up my hand for them to stop.

Damn. This is harder to do than I thought. How could they get under my skin so fast?

“Before you argue, I need to confess that I haven’t felt Osen since I’ve woken up. So I can’t help you with finding justice for him.” I gesture to the pendant left on the table. “And now that you’ve found the tracker, I can pack up the most important things, skip town, and vanish. I can write from almost anywhere, so I can get lost for a while. I should be safe.”

“Safe?” Arran huffs. “Rob and his partner in crime will probably want to abuse your magic again. They will hunt you down. If they have a witch portal maker like Amira, they can follow you into other realms, let alone another part of the country.”

“He’s right. Until we deal with Rob and probably the entire ASO, you are a target,” Maxum says.

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