Page 68 of Speak No Evil

Chapter 17

JADE

That fucking bastard!

When I get my claws in him…

Although, falling from a building isn’t as awful as I thought it would be. It’s kind of exhilarating.

Focus, Jade, you only have so long to figure this out before you hit pavement. That won’t be so exhilarating.

OK…

WINGS! I focus so hard on the idea—picturing a beautiful pair of black wings spreading out behind me, hearing the wind rustle through the feathers, feeling the weight of the new structure on my muscles—that I’m sure I’m the smartest demoness in the world and I’ve already figured it out.

But I’m still falling.

You fucking asshole, how do I turn my wings on?I shout to Vrahs through whatever link we have.

I’m sorry, mate. You must learn on your own.

Learn on my own! Fucking dickhead! Your mate’s gonna end up a big splat on the street if you don’t help me out here, jackass.

Would that I could, love. Would that I could.

Bastard!

I’m picking up speed, but I manage to flip myself over, so when I figure this stupid wing shit out, they’ll be on top and not underneath about to be crushed.

OK, OK. Last time something weird like this happened, Chonk said I had to let go. Is that it? Is that the key? Who knows, but I try anyway. Difficult considering it’s hard to let go of fear and panic when faced with the reality of impending, painful death.

Or am I?

This is a demon body and demons are immortal…

So does that mean I can fuck this up as many times as I need to?

Possibly, but I’m not gonna bet on it.

Think faster. Use that new big brain of yours.

I close my eyes and make everything quiet. A new skill, thanks to the transformation. If all else fails, when I get to the pavement, I’ll open a portal. Yes. Right. That’s good.

Now… about those wings.

I search within, rifling through the new deep well of my magic, which now seems to mingle witch power and demon power into one. A strange amalgamation of the two.

I feel it within me, pulsing like the blood on the temple floor.

Feelit?

I pause, double checking.

Yeah.

I do.

A zing of excitement swirls in my middle, and I focus on the pulsing, that feeling.

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