Page 9 of Tik-Tok

Jack nodded, holding Brielle forward. North pressed a hand to the child’s soft cheek, hoping she would have as much strength, magic, and gentleness as Ozma. That she would be just as giving and caring as Jack.

As she was about to pick up Brielle, the doors burst open with a bang. North straightened, leaving Brielle with Jack, and whirled around, focusing on a male entering the hall. His hair was obsidian and sleek, his red irises blazing. Gold studs lined his pointed ears. He sauntered toward them as if this were his palace and he was a king. Thick-soled boots clunked against the floor, and the jingle of the metal adorning both his cobalt coat and the ruby sash around his waist echoed through the now-silent room. His hand hung too close to the golden sword dangling at his hip.

Two of Ozma’s guards rushed forward. The male twirled his hand in the air, and a gray hue flooded across their bodies, casting them into stone. “Anyone else care to become a permanent fixture?”

“Everyone stop!” Ozma shouted.

No one else rushed forward, but the other guards, including Birch, were poised for Ozma’s next command.

“Tik-Tok,” Ozma said, her voice hesitant when he came to a stop before them. “Change them back.”

Tik-Tok. North recognized the name immediately—he was the pirate from Ozma and Jack’s past who had helped them break through the barrier around the Wizards home.

“All in due time. You know how it goes.” He winked at Jack where he sat, frozen with fear, on his throne. “I’ve come to collect the female”—he held out his hand—“and my ring. A bargain is a bargain.”

What bargain?

“You’re not taking the child,” North gritted out, narrowing her eyes. She lunged forward and shoved the male’s firm chest. She may not have magic, but she would create the best barrier she could between him and the infant. With his next breath, he would probably turn her to stone too.

But Ozma wasn’t even looking at the baby. She was looking at North.

“My apologies,” Tik-Tok cooed, studying North up and down with a smirk. “It seems I’ve come to collectyou, darling.”

Chapter Five

Tik-Tok

Chaos erupted in the ballroom. It all seemed to happen in a single heartbeat—one teeny promise to take the female that he was owed from Ozma, and everyone lost their shit. The rest of the guards surged forward, nobles fled, and a loudcawechoed off the walls. Tik-Tok narrowly avoided a bolt of green lightning followed by a blast of gray magic. His enchanted arm protected him against magic which was helpful in a room of so many powerful fae, but that didn’t make getting blasted by it fun.

Not that he was worried—his enchanted arm wasn’t all he had at his disposal. His own magic was just as strong as theirs.

Silver flashed in his peripheral and he pivoted. It was too late to completely avoid the silver-haired male from cracking him with an axe so, instead, Tik-Tok flung out his power with a flick of the wrist, turning every remaining fae to stone.

Everyone except for Ozma, Jack, their child, andher.

Though, judging by the murderous look on the young female’s face, he wondered if that wasn’t a mistake.No.It was more fun this way. He would get to see how she reacted under duress before dragging her in front of the entire crew. She was a captive, after all.

Tik-Tok slowly swept his displaced black hair behind his shoulders and stood straight again. He looked over the axe with an appreciative nod as he edged around the now-stone male.That was close.The fae would be worth fighting if Tik-Tok wasn’t in the middle of something much more important.

“A friend of yours?” he purred to the wide-eyed female. A gentle tug came at his center as he met her stare.

“Her father,” Jack replied through gritted teeth. “Tin.”

His brows rose. Tin was infamous—an assassin like no other—until his curse was broken by Thelia. And he was about to kidnap their daughter. Smart? Probably not. But Tik-Tok never claimed to be the wisest of fae. He needed the female. End of story.

“He’ll kill you for this,” Ozma warned. “And I won’t stop him either.”

“Mmm.” Tik-Tok stepped closer to the thrones. “He will definitelywantto, but we had a deal. So, if he comes after me for taking her, he’ll need to come after you for giving her away. I highly recommend spinning whatever tale necessary to keep him … subdued until I’ve finished with her.IfI finish with her.”

“No,” Ozma and Jack said in unison.

“Suit yourselves.” His red eyes slid back to the silver-haired female. “What’s your name, darling?”

“None of your business,” she spat.

Despite her bravery, it was impossible not to notice how violently her hands shook. Yet she didn’t move to attack him or to defend herself. He couldn’t decide if that was disappointing. “Nonefor short, then? It’s rather a mouthful otherwise.”

She opened her mouth to reply, but Ozma reached back to grab her hand. “North,” the queen said quickly. “Her name is North, but she’s not the fae we bargained for.”

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