Page 37 of Handcuffs and Hexes

Which reminded me. “Chief said the EA is sending someone over from head office in Rome.”

Seth grimaced. “Yeah. They think they can do better. I want to watch them try. Anyway, enough about The Breach, who’s up for a trip to the Starving Aardvark. I’m craving some chicken and waffles.”

Chapter 18

Seth

Irantowardtheshrill scream, panic filling my entire body. I didn’t know where I was until I recognized the front yard of my childhood home when I got there. Father stood at the front door, his hand wrapped around Mom’s neck.

“Release her!” I demanded.

But Father just laughed. “Or what? You’re useless without magic.”

My magic? I had my magic. I had strong magic. Stronger than his.

I reached my hands out, sending my magic to tear him away from the woman who raised me. But nothing happened. My magic was gone. No! This can’t be. I’d identified myself with my powers for so long. It was who I was. A part of me.

I looked down at the hands of a child, suddenly feeling helpless and inconsequential. I was young and hadn’t come into my magic yet. Maybe I never would. And without it, I was nothing. I couldn’t even protect those I loved.

Father lifted Mom up into the air, her feet dangling, and I watched as he sucked the remnants of her magic right out of her, leaving her a husk of herself. Then he threw her down to the ground.

I tried to send a fireball to toast his ass, but again nothing happened. Frustrated, I charged at him, my tiny child-sized fists swinging, but when I got there, I was stopped by an invisible shield.

“So pathetic. No wonder even that useless demon has left you for something better. Did you really think he’d stay around after you gave him his freedom? You’re so gullible. Such an embarrassment. ”

Did he mean Liam? Liam would never leave me. Would he?

“You’re lying!” I charged the magical shield.

But instead of hitting it, the scene changed. I found myself standing in front of a restaurant, looking into the window. I saw Liam immediately. He had a demon on each arm. One was male and in human guise, though his smoky aura gave him away. He was the perfect specimen in every way, molded to suit Liam’s every whim and desire. The other was female. She was in her demon guise and plastered to him like she couldn’t wait to get to a bed.

Suddenly overwhelmed with jealous rage, I tried to charge in to confront him but was stopped at the door by a snooty-looking man in a suit.

“We don’t serve your type here,” the man said, his eyes scanning my clothes. “Run along now.”

But the female was naked now and pushing Liam down onto the table, so I ignored him and pushed my way through the door.

“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

The familiar female voice had me turning toward Officer Cooley. She looked at me like I was a stranger.

“Hazel? It’s me, Seth.”

“Who?”

The officer next to her frowned. “You know this creep?”

Hazel shook her head.

“Thought not. As if you’d spend time with a loser like him.” The man turned to me. “Now get out of here.”

When I didn’t move, the man lunged for me, and then we were grappling. But we weren’t by the restaurant anymore. We were at The Breach. And he was dragging me toward the edge.

I dug my heels into the soft grass on the road verge, but it was useless. The Breach called to me. In the gaping maw was salvation. I’d be strong again. I’d have respect. And most importantly, I’d have the people I loved. All I had to do was jump in.

I woke sweaty and in my own bed, my limbs still entangled with Liam and Hazel’s. The quiet hum of the wards protecting my house surrounded me.

Shit! I couldn’t believe I was fooled by a dream.

---