Page 96 of Charming Her Monsters

I really love our home here, and I wish we could have stayed longer. But with our lifestyle, I’ve never been able to set down roots for long. With the ASO and the witch attacks escalating and the missing supes, we haven’t felt settled for a long while.

My wolf and berserker whine within my chest as we all wish to hold Jade, but Maxum has her resting unconscious on the bed in his room as he packs up Jade’s clothes and his own.

When I enter the bedroom, he’s finished up, zipping up his duffle and staring at our witch. I observe him, wondering what’s going on in his mind.

Tossing my clothes and toiletries in my bag, I ask, “You picking something up?”

“She’s in there. Strong. Stronger than before.” He finally looks at me. “Her magic makes no sense. It doesn’t feel like anything I’ve felt before.”

“Is it bad for her?” I ask. “Maybe we shouldn’t have been so quick to have Jade ditch her pendant.”

“I don’t think the magic is hurting her. But it feels all wrong.”

“Could it be because her magic had been blocked for so long?” I ask, wandering over and caressing her cheek with my fingers.

“Arran?” she murmurs.

“Yes, my sweet love?” I say, hoping to coax something from her. Maybe my words will wake her. Sitting down on the bed beside her, I wait and hope for a response.

“I feel weird,” she says, opening her eyes and blinking at the light.

She sighs in relief when she sees both me and Maxum. “You’re alive. I was so worried when you didn’t show up when you said you would.” She holds my hand and reaches out for Maxum to do the same.

Instead of coming closer, he apologizes, “It took longer than I had expected, but we returned as soon as I sensed a problem here.”

“Are you hurt?” I ask, because I haven’t had the chance to do a thorough inspection of her body. Although, I assumed Calder would have told us of any injury she sustained during the attack and their retreat.

“I’m okay… I think.” Jade sits up and sees the bags. “Are we leaving?” Her bottom lip poofs out in a pout.

“Yeah, as soon as Calder finishes packing upstairs.”

“Where’s Flint?” It hits her that she hasn’t seen or heard mention of the gargoyle. She moves to launch off the bed to track him down. “Is he okay?”

Maxum catches her as she runs for the door. “He’s banged up, but he will recover.”

She hugs Maxum now that he’s in her grasp, but he seems resistant. Sensing something is off, she pulls on Maxum’s hold around her waist. “What’s wrong? Let me see him.”

“In a minute, we need to clear something up first,” he says with all the seriousness he can muster.

“Why does it sound like I’m in trouble?” Her energy recoils.

She withdraws her hands from Maxum and holds them protectively over her chest. He releases her and gestures to the desk seat.

I want to snarl at Maxum for even questioning her, but I also know why he must.

“We heard some rumors, and we need the truth.”

“Okay.” Jade glances over at me, wondering what fresh hell is coming now.

“What is your name?” Maxum asks.

“Which one?”

Maxum blinks. “How many do you have?”

“I have my author name, my birth certificate name, and my new name.”

“Then who is Jadeana Jones? Who is Patricia? And how old are you?”

---