Page 101 of Slaying With Sylphs

Laughing, I focus on the power but can’t feel it at all. I felt it earlier when I was angry-ish about the ass grabbing, though.

“Think how you felt when you thought he’d attack your males,” Laerith says quietly.

Normally I try to dispel bad thoughts, not keep them and focus on them. But I allow myself to do it now because, if I have the power to help people, I will. I remember how terrified I was when Leighton entered that room and stood behind Connall. An electric zing travels through me. When I look down, my palms are full of blue flames.

A sudden thought occurs to me and I stare up at Laerith as the flames disappear.

“Why didn’t this power come to me when I was possessed by a warlock? That would have been a really fucking convenient time.”

She cocks her head to the side, looking thoughtful. “Blue magic often goes undiscovered for a long time. No one is truly clear on what causes it to appear. But one thingisclear—it’s a battle magic so it’s typically used in service ofothers.” Shecrosses her arms. “As a younger one, I could certainly have used my blue magic to protect myself against…things.” She shudders. “But it didn’t come in for me until I needed it to protect someone else, and then it came in like a fuckin’ hurricane.”

Before I get a chance to ask her about that, she waves dismissively at me. “Call the power again.”

When I do it with ease, Laerith grins wickedly. “Well done, little blue, well done.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

DIRK

I’m slicing bread at Connall’s behest when the treehouse door flies open and Louanna rushes through.

“Dirk! I caught a tree on fire with my flames! It was amazing!”

I round the island and catch her when she throws herself into my arms. Seating her on the island top, I press my forehead to hers. “Tell me everything, my sweet. How did it feel?”

“Your mate is strong,” the vampire’s voice drifts from the doorway. “Bound and determined. She’ll make a fine blue.”

Connall enters the kitchen with a smile and a bottle of wine in one hand. “You have our eternal thanks. It’s Laerith, right? Abemet told us, but I wasn’t sure I remembered correctly.”

She grins at him, flaring her nostrils.

“Dinnae think about his blood,” I snap. “Not a drop fer you.”

“Aww, come on,” she croons. “I can make it feel nice. It’ll only pinch a little.” She grins at me. “You can watch, sylph.”

Lou grumbles and attempts to slide out of my arms. She waves a hand around at all three of us. “Are you gonna be like this all night? Or can we get along?”

“‘Tis just posturing, my love,” I offer, but Lou shrugs.

“Well, I’m in desperate need of a shower, so I’m gonna do that.”

“Need any help scrubbing?” Laerith asks, eyes dropping down my mate’s body.

To my surprise, when I press my mouth to Lou’s neck, her scent is strong. Och, my Louanna finds the idea of Laerith touching her intriguing. I hold back a chuckle, my competitive nature rearing forward.

“Mine,” I rumble, sucking at Louanna’s skin as she squirms.

Laerith rolls her eyes, and Connall watches our standoff with a bemused smile.

Tension is thick in the room. Elemental monsters from opposing elements are always like this…nitpicking and arguing. It’s part of why my being teased as a child was such a big deal. I lived with air elementals. It shouldn’t have happened to the degree it did. It should have been surface level, playful.

I’m lost in thought about that when Louanna shoves out of my arms. She turns and kisses my lips roughly. Then, with a grumble, she heads down the hall, leaving Connall and me alone with Laerith.

“Laerith, can I make you a drink?” Connall rounds the bar to stand beside me, slipping one hand up between my shoulders to grip the back of my neck. His touch is possessive and reassuring all at once. He’s telling everyone I’m his, while still being accommodating.

Laerith watches us with a thoughtful smile, then crosses her arms. “Anything you’ve got that’s strong.”

“Excellent.” Connall heads for the bar area and grabs an assortment of bottles. Laerith and I stare at one another as if in challenge.

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