Page 20 of Elora and the Crow

“Oh my God,” Elora said in exasperation.

“I can’t help it if I know all the good places to hide a body in this city,” Bren said.

“You don’t have to hide the body. I’ll just burn it to ash,” Kaida said.

Elora’s mouth dropped open, but Jonah burst into loud laughter. “Nice one.”

He drank a swallow of beer before saying, “You don’t have to worry, Bren. I promise I have nothing but the most honourable intentions toward Elora.”

“Enough,” Elora said with a scowl. “You,” she pointed at Bren, “stop acting like you’re my father, and you,” she pointed at Jonah, “stop acting like you’re some kind of Victorian suitor here to court me and win favour with my father. I’m a grown-ass witch who doesn’t need protection from anyone.”

“Sorry, Elora,” Bren said. “I know you can take care of yourself.”

“And I’m sorry for sounding like I came straight out of a Regency romance,” Jonah said.

They all glanced at Kaida, who stared unblinkingly at Jonah and said, “Elora is my friend, and if you hurt her, I will fry you to a crisp without hesitation, shapeshifter.”

Jonah and Bren laughed, and even Elora giggled. Jonah loved how protective Bren and Kaida were of Elora, and even if they didn’t see him this way yet, he considered them friends.

Oh yeah? So you lie to your friends? Your intentions regarding Elora are far from honourable, and the longer you stay with her, the more likely you are to hurt her. You have to leave, Jonah. You have to go and forget all about her.

He reached for his beer and drank the rest of the bottle in three big swallows. He would never hurt Elora. He loved her.

Which is why you need to leave!

“Jonah?” Elora nudged him. “You okay?”

“Yes,” he said. “Never better, little witch.”

* * *

“Grab your things,and Kaida and I will give you a ride to your house,” Bren said, helping Kaida into her coat.

Elora couldn’t help but roll her eyes as Jonah grinned. “I don’t have any things.”

Bren hesitated. “Right, of course. Ready to go?”

“I’ll give Jonah a ride home,” Elora said.

“Easy enough for us to do it,” Bren said with a pointed look at her.

Elora turned to Jonah. “Can you give us a minute?”

“Sure. It was good to meet you officially,” Jonah said, holding out his hand.

Bren shook it, and so did Kaida, and with an amused look, Jonah crossed the apartment to Elora’s bedroom. He shut the door behind him, and Bren said, “You’re not staying alone with him tonight.”

“I’ve stayed alone with him hundreds of times,” Elora said. “He’s slept in my bed, for God’s sake.”

“As a crow,” Bren said. “It is not the same.”

“Do you really believe Jonah would hurt me?” Elora asked.

Bren sighed. “No, I don’t. But if I’m wrong…”

“If you’re wrong, I’ll take care of myself,” Elora said before holding out her hand and muttering an incantation. Blue light glowed from her fingertips before turning into flame. She wiggled her fingers, making the flames shimmer and dance before she shook her hand, and the flames disappeared. “I’m a witch, Bren. I know how to protect myself.”

“He’s a shapeshifter,” Bren said. “I know exactly who they are and what they’re capable of. He doesn’t make his living doing something legal and above board.”

---