Page 97 of Charming Her Monsters

“Jadeana Jones is my mother. Patricia is my grandmother. And I’m forty… Well, next month I will be. Why? How old do you think I am?”

I look at Maxum, then back at Jade. “You took your mother’s name?”

“She named me after her for some bizarre reason. Obviously, she didn’t know at my birth that she would later disown me. Anyway, she often goes by her middle name, Ruth. I still liked Jade and legally changed my name to the shortened version. Then for my author name, you’ve seen my book covers so you know it’s Juniper Jade.”

“I’m confused. Why would my informants think you were your mother and she was dating Rob?” Maxum’s voice still holds a shred of suspicion.

“Well, years ago, when I first leased my house, I hadn’t changed my name yet. Maybe that’s where they got my name and got us mixed up?”

“And you aren’t sixty?”

“I would say that’s ridiculous, but now that I know witches age better than humans… No. My mom is sixty. However, I’m sort of used to having mixups all the time. I suppose people rarely expect women to pass down their names. We’d often have problems with paperwork and such because we had the same name and look a lot alike. Apparently, my grandmother’s genes are dominant, because we could all be mistaken for each other. Although, from a picture I found on the internet, my mom mostly looks her age.”

“My guess is that your grandmother put an obscuring spell on your records to hide you.” Maxum sweeps Jade up in an unexpected hug, and she squeals as he picks her up and crushes her to his chest. He says with complete relief, “I figured it had to be something stupid like this. Thank Goddess.”

“Yeah, stupid seems to follow me around.”

Calder peeks his head into the room. “We’re ready when you are.”

“Need Flint, now!” she orders Maxum, pointing to the door.

He obeys and carries her out to the living room where Flint is sprawled out on the couch. Already, because of his supernatural nature, he’s healing, but he looks beat up. His skin is more marbled with discoloration than normal.

Jade scrambles out of Maxum’s arms and rushes to Flint, hugging him fiercely when she reaches him. His massive arm circles around her waist and gingerly pulls her closer.

“I’m so sorry! I wish I could have helped fight so you wouldn’t have gotten hurt.”

“Your magic is still coming in, my love.” Flint strokes his large hand up and down her back as she holds him. “We don’t even know what you can do with it once it does.”

Jade lifts her head off his broad chest and stares lovingly into his eyes. “The magic feels so strange. Maxum thinks there might be something wrong with me.”

Maxum corrects, “I didn’t say anything is wrong withyou, but there is something different about your magic.”

“Hey?” Flint cups her cheek gently. “You are perfect. Being different isn’t wrong.”

Jade kisses Flint, and he returns it, claiming her mouth like a pro.

My brain still takes a minute to process this new version of the gargoyle who can touch… and who can touchour mate. Fortunately, my alpha nature, my wolf, and my berserker all accept Flint into our mating pack.

Electricity arcs off Jade’s body and into Flint’s chest.

Well, that’s fucking new.

I have a feeling our witch will continue to be full of surprises.

Flint gasps, but quickly looks as though his injuries are mending.

“Did I…?” Jade strokes down his body where his flesh had been damaged and is now healed.

“See,” Flints says with a wide grin. “I told you. Perfect.”

“Perfect or not,” Calder says with a bit of irritation. “We need to get the fuck out of here before someone returns. None of us are ready to handle another fight right now.”

“Birdman is right,” Maxum teases, using Trouble’s name for him.

“Shit!” Jade glances around. “Did anyone check on the little ones?”

It’s then we hear scratching coming from the kitchen.

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