Page 87 of Captivating Magic

“I think she was hoping you’d smite him,” Castor told Damian. To Lo, he said, “Your wolf is bloodthirsty.”

“Don’t I know it!”

Ebba shoved asideher need for sleep after transitioning to human. Her standard practice was to fall into bed for about twelve hours after Kyrella’s three-day takeover.

This time, she’d had hours of on-again-off-again sex with Laszlo to add to her exhaustion in addition to a spontaneousshift on Kyrella’s part. Jaw-popping yawns from fatigue aside, she needed to be party to what was happening in her living room. She splashed water on her face and fought the urge to pass out. Once she touched Lo, she’d receive an energy boost.

After checking all her shirt buttons were fastened properly and no skin was showing, she joined the group. Five feet into the room, she stopped short and gaped at the blond male beside Laszlo. Next to the Aether, he was the most gorgeous thing she’d ever seen. Yes, Castor was hot, but whoever this new guy was, he was unbelievable and utterly delicious.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Lo muttered. “Am I going to be constantly picking your jaw up off the floor?”

Ebba jabbed his ribs. “Yes, if you keep hosting house parties for hotties. Is he single?”

“Ebba James, I swear to?—”

“I’m fucking with you. I can see the wedding band.”

Lo’s scowl was priceless, and she lost the fight not to laugh. “Okay, and yes, I’m with you.”

“Better.”

“Who knew you were so territorial?” She didn’t give him time to answer before standing on tiptoe to kiss him. “I like it,” she confessed. “It turns me on.”

His wicked grin woke the millions of butterflies living in her belly.

“Okay, stop that right now, mister. We have the hottie house party happening, and I can’t be all flustered and shit.”

“Too late,” he murmured with a kiss of her temple. “You passed that point the second you cleared the doorway and registered Knox’s presence.”

“Knox.” She tried the name on for size. “It fits him.”

With a snort and exaggerated eye roll, Laszlo guided her forward for introductions.

After, he asked, “Do you need some coffee to get through this? You look exhausted.”

“I want to see Spencer dispatched for good. Of course, I don’t remember his possession the first time, but his behavior is over the line.”

“Dispatched?” Spring’s light laughter caused Ebba to smile.

“It sounds antiquated, but I don’t know how else to say it. Would ‘ejected from Clutch’s body and sent to hell’ be better?” she asked.

“Works for me.” The other woman’s wide smile was like a beacon of light, and Ebba appreciated the friendliness offered. With looks like hers, Spring could easily head up a Mean Girls Club. Yet she exuded nothing but sweetness.

Ebba had long since realized the Thornes were beautiful people, both inside and out. Their innate kindness set them apart from the rest of the world and had her gravitating toward them, creating lifelong connections.

Spring approached the circle and cocked her head to study Spencer. “Will you show me your artifact, Mr. Barlowe? Please?”

She’d said it so prettily, and Ebba was surprised he didn’t fall right down at her feet, holding the object up like a sacrifice to a goddess. His expression was dazed, though, and she smiled, feeling her first kinship with him.

Knox walked up beside her. “She’s something, isn’t she?”

“Yes,” Ebba gushed. “I think I’m experiencing my first female crush.”

He chuckled. “I was a goner the instant I laid eyes on her.”

“I can see why.” She glanced up and tried like hell to keep from batting her lashes. “Also, why she was a goner when she saw you.”

“It’s a glamour on my part. A scar runs here to here.” He drew a line from temple to jaw. “Courtesy of my father.”

---