Page 121 of Alpha Power

The demon reached into his pocket and pulled out a slim, gold ring. Ignacio clicked his fingers and the ring levitated into the air. He curled his index finger, beckoning the ring to him like he had a secret he wanted to share with it. It moved towards him and hovered over his open palm, glowing a faint red as his magic kept it bound in the air. He cocked his head, red lightning sparking in his eyes while he studied the small golden ring. It rotated slowly in the air and a tingle ran down her spine, the magic flowing all around her.

Thaddeus scoffed and lowered his voice to a bare whisper. "He's such a show-off."

Ignacio's hazel eyes narrowed at his son. They flared with power and one of the legs on Thaddeus' chair broke, sending him crashing to the ground.

"Ah-son of a fart knocker beetle rice," Thaddeus cursed out. He rubbed at his butt with a scowl on his face, glaring at his father.

Intera and Dragur turned around at the commotion, raising their brows in surprise at the powerful dark mage lying on the floor.

"What the fuck did you just say?" Void frowned. "Can't you swear like a normal damn person? You weirdo."

Thaddeus jumped to his feet and faced the crowd, bowing at the waist. "Apologies for the interruption." He waved a hand and his dark magic put the chair back together. He gave his father a frosty look as he took his seat, one that vowed vengeance.

Ignacio's lips quirked, but he kept that tough, businesslike expression on his face. "The magic is still burning strong and the intent is clear. It's a Love Enchantment. You clearly didn't follow the instructions correctly." He levitated the ring back to Dragur and the demon scooped it from the air.

"Yes, I did-"

"No," Ignacio thundered. "You didn't. The magic hasn't been activated yet, it's still in the ring which means you did not follow the instructions correctly. How long did you leave it to soak in the blood?"

"24 hours. Like she told me."

Ignacio glared, not believing the demon for one second.

"Answer him truthfully," Balthus snarled and Dragur flinched, taking a step back in fear.

His voice shook slightly as he addressed Ignacio. "23 hours. I-I didn't think it would matter if I took it out early."

"Your idiocy has done nothing but waste our time. She told you 24 hours, which meant 24 hours. Not 23. If you were under my jurisdiction, I'd have you punished," Ignacio fumed. With a wave of his hand he excused the supernatural’s standing before him.

Dragur scowled and spun, marching back to his seat.

"Thank you for your time." Intera bowed. She turned, locking eyes with Zamorra and she smirked. She walked back to her chair without another word.

"What's a demon need a Love Enhancement for anyways?" Zamorra whispered as Luther called on the next case.

Void shrugged. "Beats me. Probably so he can get them to fall in love with him and give up their souls. A soul like that is a powerful thing. Especially one given freely.”

A familiar scent washed over Zamorra and she stiffened. She straightened in her chair and scanned the room, trying to pinpoint what exactly was making her nose twitch.

What is that?She asked her werewolf.And why can't I figure it out?

She never had trouble recalling a scent. Ever. She was actually quite proud of her sense of smell. It was one of her best abilities. She could sniff out a bud of weed in the middle of the forest. She could remember every scent she ever came into contact with and recall it when needed. So, why the fuck couldn't she remember what this scent was?

I... don't know,her werewolf faltered. She was just as stunned as Zamorra. And annoyed.

Zamorra turned in her chair to get a look at the crowd behind her, searching through the sea of faces for a hint of familiarity. Her gaze skimmed over a man in the back corner wearing a dark baseball cap and she did a double take, narrowing her eyes. She recognised that slim, lanky body. Deep claw marks marred the left side of his face and that's when it clicked.

That's the dark mage that was with Ophelia in the forest,Zamorra said absently.

She sniffed the air and his scent permeated her nostrils. Definitely familiar, but again, it was like she couldn't place his scent. The connection between the man she was staring at and that scent weren't matching. Why?

Maybe a spell?Her werewolf suggested.

Could be.

A tingle ran over the back of her neck. Someone had eyes on her. She turned back to face the front, locking eyes with Ophelia. Her resting bitch face automatically took over and Zamorra glared. They stared at one another, some unknown battle happening between them as the meeting continued on in the background. Hostility zinged in the air and they both scowled.

Something was going on here. She had no clue what but it was something. And that mage was in on it.

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