Page 110 of Magic and Muffins

“Do you like my little gift to you?” Vivian asked from the phone. “It took a bit of work to kidnap her and put her in the portal. As you can see, she’s angry and will say anything to stop you from sampling her mate. The only thing keeping Shepard and Cross in line is her freedom, so I suggest using them while she’s still stuck.”

“They’re after your ring, Effora. Don’t let them take it.”

Cross sighed. “We don’t need your ring, but if you give us a fae rune, I can untie Shepard from the tree, and we can be on our way with Everly.”

Effora’s gaze swung to Vivian’s digital face.

“Don’t worry. They know I have one,” Vivian said. “This isn’t about opening the portals; this is about making them pay for what they did to Master and giving you what you want so I get what I want. They know their roles, and theywilldo anything for you.

“After you’re finished, you can help me deal with Orphia like you promised.”

Effora glided toward Shepard. Like usual, the wisps of clothes she wore barely concealed anything.

“Vivian, you’ve worked so hard, and I’m quite pleased.”

Shepard snarled at her as she pressed her body against his and ran her hand over his limp, naked length.

“We need a bit more effort from you, though. Look at your lover, Shepard. She’s right there, waiting for you. Imagine her naked.”

I couldn’t feel her power, but I saw the effects as Shepard’s eyes turned gold. I yelled every truth I could at Effora, but I might as well have been talking to Vena when she was hot on the trail for treasure.

“Shepard,” she purred, her body shivering as if her desire was too much to contain. “Let me help you. I feel your need for her. Look at Everly and feel her touch.”

She gripped him and slowly stroked from the base to the head and back. He snarled as his body began to betray him and respond to her.

Cross swayed on his feet, his eyes turning black.

“It looks like we’ve found the key to tempting Shepard without using a relic,” Vivian said.

Shepard turned his head to avoid her lips as she kissed him all over. “You taste divine.”

“Effora,” Vivian said. “You’d feel better naked. Rid yourself of what keeps you from Shepard.”

He didn’t have to suggest it again. The scraps she wore flew off her. I caught sight of her glitter-studded crotch just before she turned and pressed into Shepard, rubbing against his thigh. Hooking her leg around his waist, she hitched up his body like a Cirque performer.

She moaned, low and desperate, trying to sink onto Shepard’s length as he attempted to buck her off while avoiding her mouth.

“Cross, help her get what she wants. Reach between them and hold him still.”

Cross moved closer and slipped his hand between their two writhing bodies. Effora let out a long, “Yes,” and started bucking harder. Shepard’s lips pulled back in disgust, but then he dipped his head and bit her shoulder. It was a hard bite that drew blood with his human teeth, not his canines.

She screamed out her release.

As she shuddered, I watched her transformation from a seductress to a terrifying creature from the fae realm. Her ears lengthened considerably, pointing at the tips. Her nails did the same—sharp razors she held away from his skin as she threw her head back and trembled. Her needle-like teeth were terrifyingly dangerous.

A second later, Cross withdrew his wet hand, proof Shepard hadn’t been the reason for her release, and threw her belly ring into the portal. I moved fast, stepping to the side so it wouldn’t hit me.

“They didn’t listen, did they?” Grandma Hunter asked from not far away.

I looked down at the glistening gem that I refused to touch and shook my head.

“No. They didn’t.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

“What have you done?”

Effora’s yell drew my gaze back to the portal.

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