Page 116 of Magic and Muffins

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

My panicked gazeswept the area, searching for Cross as the last of the fog cleared from the portal.

He was wearing the ring. Don’t panic.

But that sunburst had lit up the night so brightly I was still seeing spots. Blinking to clear my sight, I found Cross standing among the vampire remains. Tears of relief sprang to my eyes, and I opened my arms to him, desperate for a hug.

He saw, looked down at himself, then cringed.

“Ah, Sunshine, give me a moment.” He blurred. Water erupted from the waterfall, then he stood in front of me, drenched but completely free of blood.

“That was a wise choice,” Effora said. She was back to being the pretty fae queen. “Shepard, do you need help reaching your back?”

Shepard shot Effora a warning glare and stalked off to the waterfall as I hugged Cross.

“I can’t believe he had a sun charm,” I said.

“You mean one that actually worked, unlike the one you and Vena had?”

Cross chuckled when I poked his ribs.

“I’m glad it didn’t work on you.”

“As am I.”

He glanced at the opening between the rocks that lead to the gate. “I believe our help has arrived.”

“A bit late for that,” Effora said, still watching Shepard like she wanted to maul him again.

Furious that she dared to still lust after him after everything that happened, I slipped from Cross’ arms. Effora never saw my hand coming. It cracked across her face with a resounding snap that carried through the space.

“Get your eyes off my mate before I remove them,” I threatened.

Effora’s serene beauty evaporated, and she looked at me with otherworlder eyes. She flashed her pin-like teeth at me in a hiss.

Cross’ hand whipped out from behind me and smacked across her face from the other side. “We’ve tolerated enough of your unacceptable behavior, Effora. Give Shepard the privacy his mate demands, or deal with the consequences.”

She huffed but turned her back on Shepard as her beauty returned. “Hurry and clean yourself off. Blood is drying on me, and it’s itchy.”

I mentally boot-stomped the guilt I started to feel when I realized she’d been actually waiting for her turn to wash. She could have waited with her eyes closed.

When I glanced at Shepard, he was grinning at me from ear to ear. I shook my head at him.

“Don’t begrudge him,” Cross said. “He needs the ego boost to know that you don’t consider him unclean after the nauseating way he was used. That’s also why he’s taking so long to wash.”

Effora let out a soft hiss.

Cross moved to stand beside me, but not because of her. The pounding of running feet sounded from the gated path a second before people swarmed the area.

DOS agents and wolves arrived with Doc, followed by Vena, Anchor, Hugh, Piper, and Robyn.

“Are you kidding me?” Vena said as she saw the bodies and piles of ash. “Did I miss all the action?”

“Barely,” I said.

“What was that bright light?” she asked.

“Sun charm,” Shepard said as he walked over.

---