Page 95 of Charming Her Monsters

Flint limps closer to Jade. I’m not sure what the hell he’s doing. He’s in no condition to take any more damage.

“She needs an anchor to draw her out of this. I feel her mind swirling,” Flint says.

When I let myself skim her mind, I sense it, too. “Do you have a suggestion?”

“Don’t come near the witch,” Jade says.

“Osen?” I ask.

He whips her head to stare at me. His shadows are in her eyes. The shadowtendrils undulate, reaching for the glass. His spirit wants to return home.

“How did you return?” I ask.

“Her magic can feed my soul… my magic. With her, I can take my revenge… for this.” He points to his body on display. Then he steps toward the door.

At first we allow him to maneuver by us, because he might lash out. It could hurt Jade. But then I realize he might hurt Jade more if he gets away.

“No.” I step in his way.

Osen narrows their eyes.

It surprises me when Calder jumps in front of him. For a moment, I wonder what he plans on doing? Will he aid in Osen’s revenge or stop him?

“You aren’t going anywhere with Jade,” Calder growls.

“But with her power and my ability, we could kill them all,” Osen argues.

“No. Give control back to Jade right now.” Calder fires up his wings, displaying how serious he is.

“But she doesn’t know what to do with it.” Osen takes a step closer, challenging.

“You got yourself killed. You can’t risk her like this. She is too important to her mates.”

“To you?” Osen asks Calder, sounding concerned for the first time.

“Yes, even to me,” Calder admits. “I don’t know if I want to pursue something or not, but I want her alive.Yourpackwants her alive and healthy. And with you in charge, that doesn’t seem likely.”

The power emanating off Jade lessens. Osen reaches out and kisses Calder. I don’t like him using Jade this way, but maybe if he does this, he’ll leave her be.

The magic sputters out, and Jade passes out in Calder’s arms. The gentle way he looks at her and holds her, I realize Jade not only captured Flint’s heart today, but something has shifted between the phoenix and our witch.

“We can’t stay here,” Arran says as he collects Jade from Calder. He winces as her body presses against him, agitating his burns.

“You’re right. This place is compromised now,” I say and hold out my arms for Arran to hand over Jade. “Let’s collect our things and get out of here before Rob returns.”

“But where will we go?” Flint asks. “This was the last place we had left.”

“There’s one place… it might solve all our problems… if they let us stay. Finding out what sort of witch Jade is, how to use her power, and a place to hide off the map.”

29

ALL WRONG

ARRAN

After we get back up the tunnel to the house, I shift back and forth again to help the healing process along and do a quick sweep of the house to make sure no one is lurking.

I throw on a t-shirt and sweatpants and pack up Jade’s things from the office, knowing she wouldn’t want to leave them behind.

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