Page 57 of Handcuffs and Hexes

“You mean Tansy? She’s his sister. She’s already there with Elena. You’re the only one missing.” I worried I’d already said too much; this was in no way, shape, or form discreet like she wanted.

But she was already coming with me. I guided her back to the armored truck, which was now Seth’s prison. The whole thing rattled like he was setting off bombs inside, and the witches containing him looked exhausted already.

“He’s in there?” Hazel asked, clearly worried.

Elena nodded grimly.

“I’ll form a shield around you,” I said. “But only if you are sure you want to go in.”

As if trying to deter her, another flash came from the truck, and it rattled violently.

Hazel looked over at The Breach, which had reclaimed enough ground that everyone had moved back to the last red line. “I’m sure.”

“Brave woman,” mumbled one of the witches.

“Okay, you gotta move fast,” Mateo said. “I’m opening it in three, two, one.”

He opened the door, and Hazel and I barreled in right after dodging a rogue fireball that flew out. I latched onto Seth immediately, and so did Hazel.

“Seth, baby. We’re here. You don’t need whatever that thing promised you,” I said. “Hazel, say something.”

“Seth? You in there?” She reached for his face.

Seth blinked. “Liam? Hazel?” Except instead of reaching for us, his arms were reaching toward nothing.

“We’re right here,” I said, grabbing an arm.

Hazel grabbed the other.

“No. That’s not possible. It ate you.”

Was that what The Breach had shown him to get him to go toward it?

“No!” Hazel exclaimed. “Liam’s right here.” She took his hand and put it on me. “See? Whole. And as alive as a demon could be. And all yours.”

His eyes glazed over for a split second.

“Don’t listen to it. Just touch instead.”

“Yes,” Hazel said. “If you can’t trust your eyes or your ears, then just touch.” She went on her toes and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Then, for the first time, I felt her magic working to nullify the hold The Breach had on Seth. Her power must’ve determined that this magic was dangerous to her, and was actively counteracting it.

Seth closed his eyes, and his hands started to move over our bodies, and just like every other time he’d touched me, magic started growing in the very air between us. Soon it was swirling in the confines of the armored truck, sparkling and shimmering. When Seth opened his eyes again, they were clear and alert.

He was back!

“Where are we?”

“Locked inside an armored truck,” I explained. “You weren’t yourself, and it was the only way to stop you from helping The Breach swallow half of Darlington.”

“Shit!” He rubbed his temple—or tried to—since Hazel was still holding onto the other arm. He looked surprised to see her there. “Hazel!” He looked at the singed walls of the truck. “Fuck! You could’ve gotten hurt.”

“I was protecting her.”

“I’m not hurt,” she said. “I’m just glad you’re back.”

Seth grabbed me first and kissed me hard. I leaned into him and the bindings that held us together, which were so lovingly crafted compared to the ones that had once held me prisoner. I couldn’t imagine a life without him. His lips were firm but soft, and I devoured him right back, hungry for everything I could get. I chased his lips all the way over to Hazel’s, and he kissed her too as I watched their lips and tongues tangle.

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