Page 36 of Untraced Magic
“Morgan…” I started, but she turned her back on me, storming off to the opposite side of the bar, every movement sharp, agitated.
I didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t this. The venom on her tongue cut deep, like my own self-inflicted poison. If only she knew my true intentions. I only wanted to protect her. People like us, the supernatural in this town? Most were dangerous.
Especially that bloodsucking vamp.
Look at me, I willed her.See it in my eyes.
But she didn’t, huffing her way through her next few rounds of drinks like she was about to blow her lid.
Reid caught my eye, stifling an amused look.
Fair enough. If I was honest with myself, I’d probably react the same way. Rage pumped through my veins, having to play the bad guy, but I couldn’t let her get killed. The least I could do was make sure that creep didn’t come near her for the rest of the night.
I didn’t leave my seat at the bar and found her blatant ignorance of my company irritating. I was just trying to fucking help.
Theneverythingchanged.
Everything I thought I knew flipped on its axis and threw me a gianttold you so.
Morgan went to pick up an empty glass off the bar, but before her hands connected with it, it flew off the counter, shattering as it hit the ground.
A wave of magic slammed into the room, knocking me off my stool to the floor. I quickly rose to my feet, noting couchesupturned and people scarpering in every direction, unsure what had happened.
Holy. Fuck.
My attention moved back to Morgan, who stood anchored in place as if her life depended on it, her mouth agape. Time stood still as I tried to comprehend what I’d just seen.
My heart thumped in my chest as if clawing its way from within me to find her. Speechless, I stood paralyzed in the moment. Morgan took a step back, fear exploding from her irises as they landed on mine, speaking a thousand words without sounding a single one.
I attempted to say something, but my voice cracked in my throat.
Then she ran.
“Morgan!” I finally yelled, but she was already gone.
Those tight black jeans fleeing out the back door of the bar at a pace worthy of a goddamn Olympic medal.
Instinct hit me, and I sprinted around the side of the bar, pushing past the chef, a crash of plates echoing behind me. Barreling through the back door, crisp air whipped my neck as sheets of rain pelted my face.
Then I saw her.
In the middle of the alley behind Jinxed, her silhouette was hunched over, her hands clutching her knees.
“Hey!” I yelled again.
Blind rage streaked through my veins as I strode up behind her, my hand clamping down hard on her shoulder.
She inhaled a deep breath as I spun her towards me.
“What the hell was that?” I yelled as the rain soaked our hair, dripping down our faces.
Wrenching my arm off her, she cried out, “Leave me alone! I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her trembling form retreated to a nearby doorstep, hardly a shelter against the elements.
Was Wes right all along? If he couldn’t sense her, what the fuckwasshe?
When I paced over, she saw me following and inched back against the door like a deer stuck in headlights.
Like a little fucking doe caught where it shouldn’t be.
