Page 74 of Bewitching Her Monsters

“What is it?” Calder asks, faster than Maxum when it comes to using his voice.

“Rob paid Jade a visit. Not sure what happened inside. My instincts still say she’s not behind all this, but perhaps she has been used. Arran planned to check on her. I followed Rob and Galiana Collins to 1020 Main St.”

“Rob and Galiana,together?” Calder pulls off his button-up shirt, revealing his toned muscular upper body. He straps on his weapons holster that holds his Katana-style blades. The custom holster allows his wings to move freely, if he chooses to half-shift, and use them.

I’d never tell him, but he looks like a badass dressed as a warrior—which he is. Typically, he looks more like a rich, uptight businessman dressed for the weekend.

His back and upper arms have tattoos—wings made of fire—that look a bit too real… because they are.

“You go back to keep an eye on the building,” Maxum orders. “We’ll pop over to see if Arran’s killed the witch yet.” He chants and opens a portal in our living room to Jade’s backyard. He waves Calder through and gives me a grimace. “Good luck.”

“I think you three will need it more,” I sigh as the portal closes behind them.

I hope she survives.

23

LOST

CALDER

My fiery wings are desperate to unfurl. I’m ready to enact some vengeance. I’ve been ready for far too long.

Yet, I will stay my hand—only long enough to confirm that the witch is our enemy. Not that she isn’t alreadymyenemy by default. But Arran is sweet on her now.

I don’t want to make an enemy of him. I’ve already lost a loved one this week.

I suspect I would be in the proverbial dog house if I kill the witch before he confirms her nefarious intentions.

Maybe he’s already killed her himself.

Flint’s normally calm exterior was ruffled when he burst through the door. That’s no easy feat to rattle him. I don’t think he’s fallen for the witch’s lure. So he’s probably feeling what I’m feeling: worry for Arran’s fragile sanity.

Maxum opens the portal to the witch’s small backyard and waves me through.

My eyes lock on the back door of her house. I don’t see any activity, but the blackout curtains are drawn on all the windows. Arran claims she fears her ex. Now, we know she allowed him inside. So it’s likely what I thought all along… she didn’t wantusseeing inside.

I can’t sense anything inside her home. But most magical beings and supernaturals have a minor magic spell that naturally occurs around their homes. It’s where the whole vampires needing to be invited inside nonsense comes from. Just by claiming a shelter as their sacred place, a magical person creates a fragile protective ward around their homes.

Whether she knows it or not, this witch has definitely claimed her sacred place here. Since I’m not one of her chosen friends or family, I wouldn’t be able to perceive much beyond her walls.

Maxum’s magic works differently, so he could pick up brainwaves and bursts of magic beyond a barrier. He steps through his portal and seals it up. I glance over at him, expecting his quick assessment. He shakes his head, indicating he hasn’t picked up anything yet.

I take another step and feel something soft stick to my shoe.

I lift my foot to see it’s dog shit.

Without a sound, Maxum doubles over in laughter. His enormous body is shaking, and he points to my crap bombing. “Arran’s,” he wheezes out.

“You have to be fucking kidding me.” I hiss and wipe most of it off in the thick grass. “I… don’t have words for this bullshit.”

“Wolfshit,” Maxum corrects. Then he sobers, focusing on the house. “I don’t pick up anything from inside. However, I sense Arran at the front, pacing and worrying. So she’s likely unscathed… for the moment.”

He frowns. I think Arran might be right, the demon has fallen for her charms too. But he’s doing his damnest to cover up his interest.

“Why hasn’t he gone inside yet?” I ask. But maybe he has, and he’s panicking on the porch after ending his woman. I don’t envy him. Not that I intend to have another female in my life—especially a witch.

We easily hop the tall fence and rush around to the front. Arran hears us coming, and his expression is one of complete devastation.

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