A shout of pain rises behind me, and a series of thuds follow the sound as Morris tumbles down the steps. Jinx’s lips split in an evil grin, and she races around us toward Morris, distracted by the easy prey. My heart is slamming against my rib cage, and I set my hand on the wall to keep from crashing to the floor like Carter. The demon magic she released with her scream is still rolling over me, making it hard to breathe.
Raven. I need to get to Raven to stop her from leaving without us. A violent wave of nausea washes over me. I lean my head against the wall, eyes catching on a little girl standing at the end of the hall which leads to the headmaster’s office. Bea, Raven’s friend. Her eyes are round with fear. I grimace and stagger forward, reaching for the doorknob. Jinx’s hand is covering Morris’s chest; his body is shriveling the longer she pulls from his essence. The once strong shifter is slowly being reduced to nothing more than a husk of a being. I reach the door and stare at the girl, using the fingers dangling at my side to gesture her closer.
Her eyes flit to Jinx, and her chin trembles at the sight of the demon spirit sucking Morris’s soul from his body.
Hurry, I mouth the word to her, hoping she’ll see the plea in my eyes. If we can’t escape, I have to make sure she has a chance.
Bea shifts on her feet, and her sneakers give a soft squeak.
Fuck.
“Now!” I shout.
Dashing toward me, she squeals when Jinx whirls around and screams. With the last dredges of my strength and sanity, I wrench the door open in time for Bea to slip through.
She yells Raven’s name as she runs toward the gate. Jinx hisses, starting toward the door, mouth pressed in a firm line. I stagger into her path and slam my hand into her chest to try and keep her back, though it’s more of a fumbling touch than anything.
“You’ve been a naughty boy, Draco. My snack has escaped.” Her eyes light with malice, and she drags her finger over my neck. “You’re lucky you’d make a better meal.”
“No,” I rasp, trying to shove away from her, but it’s too late. A vile smelling, oil like substance spills from her lips, and she spits a glob of it at me.
“Sleep well, dear. We’re going to have so much fun.”
I’m a fool. Jinx has kept us for years without feeding on us. I assumed we were safe since she marked us as hers and gave us protection. The jade stone wrapped in leather has been our safeguard ever since the incident with Brayden, but now it seems our time has run out. We’re no longer playthings to her but the enemy.
There’s a shift in the air, and the demon’s eyes glow even brighter than before, lighting up like beacons as darkness surges around her. Dozens of specters materialize around her—Morris included. Tiny threads shoot from their bodies and wrap around Jinx as they nearly form into tangible beings. There is only one person who can make her this powerful.
Licking her lips, Jinx tosses her head back and cackles, the sound booming around the room and out into the night. “Welcome home, Raven.”