Page 116 of It All Started with a Bite

Hugh waited until I reached the back of the dais before snarling and lunging menacingly at the witch. She startled and turned to blast him with her magic.

I pounced in a flash, grabbed the artifact with my jaws, and yanked it free.

The magic it contained stung my tongue. I held on fast and crunched down viciously.

The ley lines’ power cut off abruptly. The witch staggered, her magic flickering. She spun around, horror widening her eyes as I spat out the remains.

“No!”

The barrier fell.

Camilla raised the skull, her expression defiant. “You’re too late! The curse is already active!”

My heart sank as I looked at the ballroom. She was right. Though some of the supernatural creatures had broken free of the spell, most were still fighting.

My wolf stilled when I spotted Gregory and Constantia cornering Victoria and Pearl.

“They’re all going to tear each other apart!” Camilla laughed maniacally. “And then I’ll be the only one left to rule Amberford!”

I ground my teeth. As Pearl would put it, the woman was officially batshit crazy.

I shifted to human Abby and strode toward Camilla.

“You know what your problem is?” I snarled. “You talk too much!”

I put the full power of my wolf behind me and lunged. Camilla grunted as I tackled her to the ground in a tangle of limbs and evening wear. The skull slipped from her hands and flew in the air.

“No!” she screamed.

We both dove for it as it started its inevitable descent.

Unfortunately for Camilla, I was faster.

I backkicked her viciously in the stomach, pushed up, and jumped, my fingers clawing like I was trying to catch a lacrosse ball. The skull hit the wall of air in front of my hand and rolled gently into my grasp.

Magic surged through me when the cool crystal kissed my skin. I gasped.

It was old and powerful and dark.

“Give it back!” Camilla screeched like a banshee.

She stumbled to her feet and pounced.

Samuel hit her from the side and sent her sliding off the dais.

My jaw tightened as I gripped the skull in both hands and fought to control the ancient magic inside it. I was seriously wishing my werewolf lessons had included a session on how to undo curses when my wolf slipped under my skin and whispered in my ear.

I blinked and looked to the ballroom. I knew exactly what I had to do to end the spell. The hairs rose on the back of my neck as I tapped into the skull’s power instead of fighting it.

“Everyone STOP FIGHTING and SIT THE HELL DOWN!”

The effect was instantaneous. Every supernatural creature sat down with a thump, Samuel included. A champagne tower collapsed with an embarrassed tinkle in the fraught hush that swept across the ballroom like a tidal wave.

I became the focus of a sea of mortified stares.

Well shit. Who knew the command would be so humiliatingly effective?

“This is worse than obedience school,” Bo commented awkwardly from his sitting position.

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