Page 24 of Love Bites Extra Hard

“They can stand with me,” Stella said. “We won’t get too close.”

“If he shows any sign of resistance to your magic, we stop immediately, and take time to come up with a better plan,” Talon told me. “If it’s only going to work a few times, we have to be more strategic.”

I nodded.

He stepped up behind me, blocking me from the other guys’ view. I lifted my hands back to the bars, and focused on the scaled bastard in the cell.

“Not yet,” Talon said. “They’re still walking.”

“If I just went in there with him,” I began, my voice low.

He interrupted me. “That’s not happening.”

“But—”

“Nothing is going to convince me otherwise. I’d rather babysit this fucker for the rest of his life than risk you.”

He must’ve been really worried about going to war with the other kings, if he was that adamant about it.

I dropped the argument and refocused on Sylvester. “Now?” I asked.

“Move back further,” Talon called out.

“It wouldn’t kill them to feel a tiny bit of my magic.”

“Further.” He raised his voice higher.

I thought I heard Stella scoff.

“I’m not dangerous,” I reminded Talon.

“I am.”

Arguing wasn’t going to get me anywhere with him, so I gave up. “Try not to feel me up when my magic gets strong this time.”

“Your virtue is safe with me.” His nose brushed the side of my throat.

“No biting, either.”

“I’m not going to make any promises about that.”

“I’m serious, Talon. No biting, and no touching. Not while we’re in this hallway and your sister and guards are watching.”

“Fine.” His nose brushed my throat again anyway. “They’re far enough. Go ahead.”

I refocused on Sylvester and tapped into my magic. The scales in my hoodie’s pocket grew hot as I sent my power out into the air, and watched the scaly monster’s reaction.

He was affected by it slowly at first, but responded faster than he had the day before.

Talon’s fingers dug lightly into my skin, but sure enough, he maintained control. I guess feeding me the day before had helped him adjust to it or something.

I pushed my magic harder than I had last time, throwing everything into it.

Sylvester crawled across the cell and pressed his body to the door. Talon’s chest rumbled low, his grip tightening but his claws staying hidden as the imprisoned bastard tried to get closer to me.

When my energy finally waned, I was panting and trembling, exhausted with the effort. Sylvester groaned, pressing his scaled forehead to the metal door.

“You found a siren to torment me with, didn’t you?” he asked, his lips stretching in a wide grin as he lifted his face toward the window. He couldn’t see me, but it felt like his soulless blue eyes were staring into mine.

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