Page 106 of Elora and the Crow

“Shut the fuck up,” Fenton said.

“How about you go home to that three-dollar whore you call a wife and leave the grown-ups to talk?” the imp said.

A deep growl rose from Fenton’s chest, and Elora watched in alarm as his pupils narrowed and his eyes turned brilliant emerald. Golden fur sprouted on his face, and he lifted the imp with one powerful arm until they were face to face.

He bared his fangs at the imp. “Insult my mate again, and I will have your head, imp.”

Fear flooded the imp’s face, and he gave Fenton a shit-eating grin. “Forgive me. I went too far.”

Fenton growled again before lowering the imp. “You want me to toss him?”

“I bring news of your brother,” the imp said quickly.

Behind her, Jonah inhaled sharply, and Nimera gripped her hand tightly.

“We’ll talk with him,” Elora said to Fenton. “Thank you.”

The cheetah shifter nodded and dropped the imp. He landed nimbly on his feet and flipped Fenton the bird before scurrying past Elora and into the house.

With another soft growl, Fenton returned to his car. Elora shut the door, and she and the others stared silently at the imp. Like all imps, he stood less than two feet tall. Imps came in every shade of colour, and this one was a deep royal purple. His large bat-like ears were positioned high on his head and stuck straight up. His leathery looking skin was covered in short and bristly purple hair, and his oversized eyes were golden in colour with dark pupils. His long, thin tail whipped back and forth in the air behind him through a ragged hole cut in his black cotton pants. He tapped one clawed toe on the marble floor as he greedily studied the foyer.

“What do you know of my brother?” Jonah asked.

“I have been sent by my mistress Malencia,” the imp said, lifting his chin haughtily. “She wishes for me to convey a message.”

“Then get on with it,” Elora said.

The imp looked her up and down before sniffing derisively. “You don’t scare me, fire witch.”

Knowing she shouldn’t, but her patience limited, her magic screaming to be free, and her temper frayed by her meeting with the WWC, Elora murmured an incantation. The end of the imp’s tail caught fire, and he squealed and stomped frantically on it to extinguish the flame before glaring at her. “That was rude!”

“It didn’t burn you,” Elora said. It was true. The spell she cast wasn’t for a flame that burned, but she had enjoyed the fear on the imp’s face a little too much, she supposed.

He sniffed and inspected his tail again before giving her a dirty look. “It’s still very rude and…”

He trailed off as he caught sight of Cece, his golden eyes lighting up with undeniable lust. “Ooh, you’re a pretty one then, aren’t you?”

He peered around Elora, flashing his small white teeth at Cece in an approximation of a smile. “I like your fat ass, human. You wanna sit on my face, and then I’ll give you the goods after?”

He grabbed his crotch again, winking suggestively at Cece.

“Ew,” Cece said.

“Don’t be like that, sweetheart,” the imp said. “You’re giving me a stiffy like you wouldn’t believe.”

“My goal isn’t to give your micro penis a semi. I’d curb you for a donut if given the chance,” Cece said derisively.

“Ooh, I’m in love,” the imp said.

“Tell us the message before I lose my temper,” Elora said, raising her glowing hands.

The imp shrank back before snarling at her. “Fine! Don’t be such a bitch.”

Jonah glared at the imp. “Watch your mouth.”

The imp backed away before straightening and giving Jonah a haughty look. “You are to meet my mistress in Parsons Woods at the old millhouse tomorrow. She will have your precious brother with her.”

“I’ll be there,” Jonah said grimly.

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