Page 63 of A Monstrous Claim

I can hardly believe it.

In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m in shock, because I can’t think of anything to say.

It’s a relief to finally have an answer, although I’m slightly annoyed that Azarius had it figured out before me. He trusted his gut and risked everything for her on a whim, but it paid off. His mate claim on her cannot be challenged because she has magical blood.

He’s such a jackass sometimes.

But it does bring me a tiny bit of satisfaction knowing that Devyn and I have something in common that Azarius will never know. Warlock blood flows through our veins. We’re descended from the same ancient race.

I don’t realize I’m staring at her as I mull over my thoughts until she looks over and locks eyes with me. Her expression is mixed with relief and excitement, and as I watch, the widest smile spreads across her beautiful face. I fight to return the gesture, but a realization quickly wipes it away.

Now that we know the truth, she might actually be going home. It’s what she’s wanted since the beginning, but the thought of her leaving suddenly makes my chest seize. I know it’s always been our goal to get her home, but now that our doubts have been eradicated, I’m struggling.

I don’t know if I can let her go.

ChapterFifteen

Devyn

When we leave Ignatius’s house, Elio decides it’s best if I keep wearing the cloak, at least until we’re out of the city. While I’m technically part warlock, I still look very much human and if the nesda wears off anytime soon, I’ll be smelling like one too.

Not how I want to end the day, especially considering how difficult it was to get here.

We retrace our steps through the city, passing a couple of monsters who stare curiously in our direction, and I keep the cloak hood low over my face. No one says anything, but Elio keeps looking back over his shoulder.

Does he think I’m going to run away now that I figured out the truth?

Because the only place I want to go to is Rafe’s mansion to take a bath in Elio’s tub. I’ll worry about everything else after that.

We stop about a hundred yards passed the border of the city, and everyone gets ready for our journey back. Azarius strips to his shorts and stuffs his clothes into his bag. Elio takes his shirt off and whips out his wings, stretching them wide.

“Are we racing?” Elio asks, wagging his eyebrows at Azarius.

“You bet your ass.” He waves with two fingers and spins on the spot, darting away from the city and booking it across the plain.

I look to Elio, whose smug expression says he knows something I don’t.

“Are we giving him a head start again?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Definitely not.”

I brace myself as he approaches, and he grabs me and swings me up into his arms. I’m less afraid this time, but still not excited about being so high off the ground. As he leaps into the air and pumps his wings, I close my eyes and bury my face into the side of his neck.

I might not enjoy flying but being held like this by Elio isn’t so bad. Maybe we can try it on the ground later.

After my bath.

Nothing comes before my bath when we get back.

With Elio flying as high as he is and beating his wings like he’s getting paid for it, we make it back to the mansion well before Azarius has a chance to catch up.

“That was so unfair,” I joke, bumping into Elio gently as we make our way down the hall to his room.

He shakes his head. “He knew he couldn’t win.”

“He also knew I wasn’t completely human,” I tease, scrunching my nose at him. “Are you going to tell him how right he was?”

He laughs dryly. “Never. Absolutely not.”

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