Page 67 of Charming Her Monsters

I cover my mouth when I realize the double meaning. “Please don’t. Wordplay is foreplay to me.”

Calder chuckles and shakes his head. “Be good, witch.”

When I look at Flint, his mouth is hanging open slightly, confused by our light flirting.

I get back on track. “So you don’t know another phoenix?”

“No.” Calder dishes out some fruit and cheese and sits down.

It sounds like that is a loaded subject, so I let it drop. “You didn’t get any bad vibes from Amira?” I ask Flint.

“No. She wasn’t particularly fond of other witches. However, she was still open to helping you. We may have to take her up on that offer at some point, even if it’s just to find another witch to help you with your magic. Maxum’s knowledge is limited, and I have a feeling if you are going to remain in our company that you will need to learn to properly control your magic and defend yourself.”

With a fork, I poke at the food Flint hands me. “I’m so far behind in my abilities. If I didn’t have that pendant draining me, I might have been alerted to my witchiness before now, instead of just thinking I had strange dreams.”

“Speaking of the pendant,” Calder says. “Trouble says he saw the spirits pulled through it and into you.”

“What does that mean? Am I really a medium then?”

“Yes, you couldn’t do that if it weren’t your affinity,” Flint assures me. “But I think it could have been used as a focal, a beacon, if you will.”

“Is that why I can’t bring Osen back? Do I need to go back and get the necklace to channel him into me?”

“No,” both Calder and Flint bark.

“Okay! I’m just brainstorming here.”

“I believe you have the natural affinity of mediumship, but just like anyone with an inclination toward a talent, you must practice it,” Calder explains. “Like someone might be a natural at music, but that doesn’t mean that person can sit down at a piano for the first time and play Beethoven. You have to learn how to use your natural gift. At least the basics.”

“Okay. That makes sense. But how do I learn? Do any of you know how to channel spirits?”

“That’s a human witch thing.” Calder frowns and leans back in his chair. “Fae-born mages don’t work with souls or spirits. The closest thing would be someone like Osen.”

I grouch, “But he’s the one we can’t talk to. Is there someone else? Maybe Amira knows of a trustworthy witch with the ability?”

“I don’t know. Maybe Amira herself knows enough about the basics to get us started,” Calder ponders. “When Maxum returns tonight, we will ask him.”

I nod, but when he says this I am hit with a bad feeling. Will Maxum be returning?

21

INFORMANTS

ARRAN

My wolf and berserker do not enjoy leaving our mate behind. Neither do I. They are snarling and growling inside of me. It feels as though their claws are shredding my insides, but I know it’s the separation causing it. Perhaps the anguish wouldn’t be so overwhelming if we were properly bonded, and she wasn’t in danger.

I’m actually surprised that Maxum would leave Jade with only Calder and Flint to protect her.

He must feel that getting this information is more important. I remind myself that this little field trip of his is only meant to last the day. Hopefully, the hamster spy doesn’t take this moment to attack. However, I’m soothed by the idea that Floofer hasn’t attacked Jade, even with multiple opportunities over the years with her, and at both the safe and lake houses.

The odds Floofer would go after her now are slim to none. Calder and Flint are not to be trifled with and are a deterrent all on their own. And Jade… well, she’s a wild card. With her magic coming in, she might be a formidable force. Without training to control her new magic, she could be unpredictable and deadly if threatened.

As we portal to our hometown, we walk down the sidewalk through a quiet part of the industrial area. I’ve never met his hacker friends, but I know Maxum trusts them more than most. High praise for humans.

“I was thinking—” I begin.

Maxum cuts me off. “That’s a dangerous thing.”

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