Page 108 of Magic and Muffins

“It’s an easy choice,” Cross said.

He started twisting his ring free from his finger.

“Don’t you dare, Cross,” I said as I slapped the glass. “If you take that ring off your finger, we’re done.” My breath caught on a sob. “You will lose the piece of my heart that you have.”

His sad smile broke me. “It was never meant to be mine in the first place, Sunshine.”

He pulled the ring free and tossed it toward the portal. It didn’t bounce off but sailed right through and hit my chest. I caught it and slipped it onto my other thumb as tears streamed down my cheeks.

Behind me, I heard Grandma and Grandpa whispering to each other.

“Well done!” Vivian said from the phone. “Now it’s your turn to do your part, Shepard. You can still walk away and leave Everly where she is, trapped forever in the veil between the human and fae world, or you can face the camera and strip like a good little wolf.”

The odd request cut through some of my pain, and I wiped my tears to look at Shepard in confusion. He looked just as dumbfounded.

“I knew you enjoyed men,” Cross said. “But didn’t think Shepard was your type.”

“Oh, he’s not. But he is Effora’s type, and you need her gem to open the portal. She was more than willing to steal Shepard’s for me in exchange for all the humans she could play with. But she was very reluctant to give up hers even for a century of meals. I think Shepard is a meal she won’t be able to refuse.”

I frantically shook my head at Shepard. He smiled at me sadly like Cross had.

“Vivian was waiting for me in the dressing room when I went to answer the call from my parents,” I said. “The tripod was already here when we got here. He’s been planning this for days. Don’t do this. Don’t give in to him.” I begged even as Shepard’s hand dropped away from the portal.

“Please, Shepard. You know what’s at stake. Think of your people. Their mates. Those kids.”

He winced even as he retreated farther.

“You have no idea what it’s like for a wolf to lose his mate, Everly,” Vivian said. “He would rather damn the world than lose you. Now, make sure you remove your clothes slowly, Shepard. Effora loves to be teased.”

I looked at Vivian’s smiling face, wanting to scratch his eyes out. Rather than watch Shepard strip, I stepped back from the portal and looked at Grandma and Grandpa Hunter.

“Do you really think the fae queen will come?” Grandpa asked.

“Yes. She’s been after Shepard for a long time. What are the chances we can destroy the relic? That’s the key to all of this. If it’s gone, even if the portals are opened, Orphia’s plan will fail.”

Grandma shook her head. “We’ve tried everything since coming here. Nothing has come close to even scratching it.”

Frustrated, I turned back to the portal, trying to think of a way to stop them.

Shepard already had his shoes and shirt off and was reaching for his pants.

“Think, Shepard,” I pleaded. “If you give Vivian what he wants, the portal will open, and Orphia will get the relic. You and every other creature will be sent to the fae realm, leaving me behind anyway. I’m safer in here, and so is the whole world.”

Cross rested his other hand on the portal where Shepard’s had been.

“She will send every creature but vampires back,” he said. “I’ve fed from you, Everly. You’re already mine. I won’t let anyone touch you.”

“That’s your plan?” I asked, hitting the portal over his hand. “Sacrifice everyone, including Shepard, to protect me? What about Vena, Cross? And my parents and Vena’s parents? Don’t they deserve to live free?”

Behind him, Shepard tossed his pants to the side and stood fully naked in front of the camera.

“I can see the appeal, Everly,” Vivian said with a slight purr to his voice. “I take back what I said. Maybe he would be to my taste. I wouldn’t mind being dominated by that. Even in its very uninterested state, it’s quite impressive.

“Cross, you’ll find a bit of rope by that post. Tie Shepard to it, pointy side out, if you please.”

Shepard glanced from me to Cross.

Cross nodded and went to do as he was told as I shook my head again, helpless to stop what was happening.

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