Page 107 of Dancing with Vipers and Shadows

My man never loses out on a chance to have physical touch. He places his hand in mine and moves around me until he’s pressing me from behind and kissing my neck.

“What does my Sweet Cruella want from her Dalmatian, hmm?”

I giggle because he’s so fucking unserious right now with his flirtatious antics.

“You know we can die any second if Ophira’s protective bubble fails, right?” I remind him.

“And I’d die happy, embracing the woman I love.”

“Cringe-worthy,” I groan, but I look back at Hades. “This isn’t the gift given to us during our enrollment,” I clarify. “This is just me being a Guinevere.”

“GRAWR!”

We’re forced to look up and ahead of us, the massive creature now towering over our tiny bubble in comparison. It opens its mouth, thousands of teeth glimmering in the moonlight.

It’s sickening to look at, especially when we can see visible limbs and bodies in between its sharp teeth.

Student bodies… including some who are wearing the N.M.U. uniform.

“Stand behind Asher, Hades,” I order without pulling my eyes away from the creature in question. It reminds me of a worm, but its maggot-like skin is made out of dripping liquid that is similar to slime. Its flesh is rotting, which overpowers the previous aroma of roses, but that’s exactly what I need to take advantage of.

“Babe,” Asher quietly whispers with a slight tremble in his voice. “That shit is about to kill us.”

“You’re right,” I agree. “Now, be patient for me.”

Patience is what’s about to give us a moment of saving grace.

I let Asher’s hand slip from mine, prompting me to clap my hands together. The sound echoes around us, making a sonic pulse wave that moves outward, but it’s far too tiny to poke this fae creature.

“Guinevere.” Now Hades’ voice is trembling as the massive worm is preparing to attack.

“Patience,” I drawl out the word before I finally sense an audience.

Five… four…

“GRAWRRRRRR!” Waves of water and slime begin to bleed off the creature’s flesh, rapidly spinning around its frame, as if in preparation for launching a destructive water tornado.

I can’t stop myself from smirking.

“Ophelia!” Hades shouts my name over the loud chaos, but I ignore him because my countdown is officially up.

One.

“Watch and learn, boys,” I purr as my body grows scorching hot. I feel Asher’s hands grip the sides of my waist. It’s the perfect surging boost I need as I clap my hands together.

The next shockwave is quadruple the size as it whiplashes forward to our menacing target that’s seconds from releasing its wrath our way.

“Boom.” The words ignite the surge of internal energy that gushes out in electric shockwaves of blue and green. Then the final bolt of lightning strikes the creature right in the center with the most unique shade of dark lavender I’ve ever seen.

“RAAWREEEEEEE!” The screech of pain pops my eardrums, but I can do nothing but unleash my aura of magic to boost the spell that’s coming to life before our eyes.

Multiple lightning bolts and shockwaves surround and torture the creature with not a hint of mercy. Intense winds flicker around us, the barrier around us struggling to hold its protective walls, but I’m fully immersed in watching this creature’s downfall, even as my eyes water and burn with magic.

I don’t stop until the fae creature releases its final outcry, its body wavering from side to side until it falls back and hits the ground.The tremor of its demise continues to make the ground quake beneath us, but I know, without a doubt, that creature is dead.

“Shit…” Hades whispers.

I feel him on my left and notice how he reaches out and gently wraps his hand around my left wrist. I don’t realize I’m injured there until he touches it, but something forces me to stare forward despite our obvious victory.

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