Page 18 of How to Accidentally Become the Devil

“So… who’s going to put up the ward?” She furrows her brows before voicing the only option she can come up, my silly, silly princess. “Mom?” She asks hopefully.

My lip quirks when Belz glances at me, silently asking how he’s supposed to answer that. Cocking his head, he says, “You are, love.”

“Me?!I don’t even know what a ward is. Let alone how to make one,” she shrieks.

Fighting a chuckle, I pop her I’m-helpless-and-know-nothing bubble. “A ward is a magical barrier. But you knew that.” I arch a brow. “And we’ve been through this, Princess. You can do anything you put your mind to. Just tell your magic what you want it to do and let it take care of the rest. Like when you sent all of the hellhounds home. You’re more powerful than you give yourself credit for.” I glare at her. I don’t like the thought of anyone underestimating my mate. Even her. “Believe in yourself as much as we do, and there will benothingyou can’t do.”

“Damn. Who knew Oz was such a motivational speaker,” Zeph chuckles.

“He’s pretty awesome, isn’t he?” Maddy says with a smile, never taking her eyes off of me. “Well, you were right last time, so I guess I’m going to give it a shot.” Her eyes twinkle before she closes them, focusing on her power and what she wants it to do.

A bright wave of magic crashes through the room, bursting from Maddy and climbing up the walls and across the floor and ceiling until the entire room is covered by the soft glow of her power. Her eyes widen and her jaw drops as she watches the shimmery magic do her bidding.

“I did it!”

“Knew you could.” I wink at her and she throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and latching her lips to mine in a hungry kiss I greedily return.

“Uh-hum. He may be out of it at the moment, but I don’t think Luc would be happy with you kissing like that right in front of him,” Zeph mutters.

Maddy pulls away giggling. “You’re probably right. Sorry Gramps.” She kisses Luc on the cheek and I mentally groan until she shoots back like she was stung. “He’s still conscious in there,” she gasps.

“When I touched him, I felt a flicker of amusement and irritation. It was weak, I could barely feel it under all the agony, but it was there.” She looks back and forth between us. “You know what that means?” Her eyes are wide and her mouth is open in a shocked smile. “He knows what’s going on around him. He’s not completely lost to us.”

The hope and relief that fills the bond is breathtaking. She turns back to Luc resolutely, staring deep into his eyes before vowing, “I’ll find a way to bring you back to us. I just found you. I can’t lose you now.” Finally breaking eye contact with Luc she glances at each of us in turn. “Come on guys. We have a library to raid.”

I love it when she goes all serious and badass. Confidence is sexy as fuck. Especially on my mate.

nine

Madelyne

Istand and leave the closet, not looking back to see if my mates are following. It’s taking everything inside me to force myself to leave his side. If I look at him again, I might not be able to leave. I know the best thing I can do for him right now is to find a way to help him, not sit and cry along with him, so I don’t stop until I’m in the hallway. The splintered wood littering the floor explains how the guys got in. I turn back towards the room to stare at what used to be the door to Luc’s quarters.

The guys skid to a stop in front of me looking at me with amused faces. I arch a brow and Oz mirrors me.

“What? You think a stupid door would ever be strong enough to keep me from you?” he scoffs.

I never thought I’d be lucky enough to have anyone care about me so fiercely nothing could keep them from me, but there’s not a doubt in my mind Oz would raze Hell and Earth to the ground to get to my side. It’s a heady feeling, being the center of this demon’s attention. It’s enough to distract me until Belz cuts in, bringing reality crashing down.

“I thought we were going to Luc’s library.”

“You say that like I know where that is.” I roll my eyes. I may have been spending a lot of time with my grandfather lately, but that’s one place I’ve yet to see.

“Well, you’re going the wrong way,” he points out helpfully.

“Belzar,” I growl.

Zeph chuckles “You’ve been to Luc’s how many times and he’s never shown you the extent of his quarters?”

“What are you talking about?” I scowl at him.

“Luc’s quarters are exponentially larger than yours or Zofina’s. It’s more like a house within a house,” he explains.

“A mansion inside a palace,” Oz chuckles.

“You mean it’s in there?” I tip my head toward the room I just left.

“It is,” Belz nods slightly.

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