Page 28 of Enchanting Her Monsters

I grimace. “I was talking to my grandmother… uh, mother.”

“Huh? Your mother’s dead now, too?”

“No, well, yes. But my grandmother is really my mother. Turns out the woman who raised me was my older sister.”

Calder sits down next to me and studies my eyes. I can sense they are my normal green and not Osen’s gray. “You’re okay? Osen didn’t take advantage of you?”

“It’s very sweet of you to worry, but I’m okay. And Osen has my permission to talk to you.” I reach out to pat Calder’s arm to comfort and thank him. Just before I make contact, I remember his touch aversion and pull back.

He catches my hand and holds it, giving it a little squeeze.

My eyes widen as I stare at our clasped hands. “Actually, Osen wanted to talk to you. We came out here for that. My mother showed up to drop some crazy secrets on my ass.” I look up into his pale blue eyes. “You have my permission to do whatever you need to do together. Just no leaving Amira’s property.”

His thumb traces over mine. “I won’t put you in danger.” Then he grins. “I appreciate the offer, but I won’t take advantage of your generosity.”

I shrug. “It’s not like it’s a hardship kissing you.” I didn’t mean to say that. My mouth clamps shut, and I blush. “I, uh… I didn’t mean I’d be…”

“Jade, stop.” He chuckles. “I get it. You don’t have to be so cautious around me. I know you aren’t like the witch who hurt me.”

“I wish I could undo what she did.” I feel my eyes sting with emotion, hating that he was so damaged by my kind… or half of what I am.

Hell, I’m going to have to adjust to the idea of being more than a witch, and so soon after I wrapped my head around being a witch.

Osen presses forward, and I give Calder a little finger wave goodbye. He seems to understand and returns the silly gesture.

10

THE TALK

CALDER

My heart aches when Jade’s spirit fades to the background.

I bite back a curse. I wouldn’t mind more time alone to get to know her now that I’m not hung up on her witch heritage.

Maybe part of me doesn’t want to deal with Osen either. He’s never been particularly talkative, so I know he has something significant to say if he’s pushed to come forward.

I brace myself for what’s coming as I watch the eerie change from Jade to Osen. Her face takes on an entirely different expression, one I’ve never seen her make. It’s almost as if she’s a shifter.

Her inquisitive and kind green eyes become the swirling smoky gray of an incubus.

“Calder.” Osen frowns when I stare at him without emotion or response.

“Osen,” I finally say.

“Why are you upset with me?” he asks.

I suppose he has a right to understand, but I’m still trying to understand what’s got me riled. “It feels wrong for you to be inside her like this.”

“You’d rather have me gone forever?” he asks, with a pained strain to his voice.

I sigh heavily and look at him. “No. It’s just confusing.”

“Tell me about it.” He rubs his face like he used to, over his eyes and then over his non-existent beard. “Jade and I are getting along. We hope to discover more about what happened to me… to her.”

“I’m glad you aren’t fighting her anymore.”

“I’m glad to see you’re accepting her as well.” He gives me a knowing look when I raise my brows. “I’ve been paying attention. More than she probably has.”

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