Page 69 of My Hexed Honeymoon

They neither confirm nor deny, but I don’t have time to argue, so the three of us begin cutting our path.

And by the three of us, I did mean all three. Gideon and Elias have shifted to their human forms, picking up discarded weapons and proving themselves fierce warriors, but I’m able to hold my own as well.

I still want the loom, because what I can do still feels more like a novelty, but as I let my magic flow through my veins, I’m able to send blasts of energy and make blades to defend against attackers, forgetting until we’re nearly there that I have an actual dagger at my side.

Not to sound like a little kid, but as I glance over my shoulder at how many vampires we took out, I totally want to yell, “Look, I helped!”

But then my mother and I are mere yards apart, the world holding its breath as we face each other.

Andromeda stands at the center of a tangled knot of witches, a few of whom I can tell are continuing to power and keep up the spell that’s casting us in shadows and allowing the vampires to fight during the day.

She also has the Blood Loom clenched tightly in her grip, the blood-coated strings feeding the runes that pulse an ominous red. Several coven members fan out around her, their fingers crackling with magic they’re using to hinder the werewolves and help the vampires.

A cruel smile curves my mother’s lips, stained with a reddish maroon that now matches the macabre tool in her hands. Her eyes glitter with a destructive glee that makes me sick to my stomach. “Natalia, you made it.”

I swallow hard, annoyed it’s loud enough she and my coven sisters can hear it.

Fine, I’m fucking scared. I’d argue that anyone who’s seen the number of deaths she’s caused would be. If I were braver, I would’ve mentioned to Diego that I might’ve been there the night he lost everything—that I wasn’t strong enough to fight for his family back then.

It’s a mistake I won’t make again.

If we both survive this—and I’m doing my best not to give in to my downer thoughts—I can at least promise him that.

My heartbeat slams against my ribcage as if it knows I’m about to do something so incredibly stupid and wants out before that happens. Not super encouraging, but I can’t exactly blame the organ.

I nod to Elias and Gideon, who stand firm and fierce at my side. “Please,” I say. “I’ll be in more danger if I’m too focused on your safety, and like it or not, I will be.”

Ducking their heads like scolded puppies, they whimper as they retreat a few paces—not as much space as I’d like, but we’re both giving in a bit, so I decide not to push the issue.

I sweep my gaze over the battlefield for one last measure of courage, reminding me of what I’m fighting for.

Yes, I’m fighting for the greater good and the safety of the entire world.

But it’s the werewolves who’ve marched into war on my word, this fight will be dedicated to—now I just hope I don’t lose.

And as Diego stands up in half-form and rips a vampire into two so that I can have a chance to retrieve the loom, I no longer find the amalgamation of wolf and human terrifying.

It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, my man who constantly puts himself between me and death.

He’s a whirlwind of vengeance and fury, teeth bared as he rips through another vampire’s shoulder. Sasquatch spins his ax, blackish blood glinting on its blade, while Conall snarls, jaws clamped around a vampire’s middle.

The most important thing right now is that I know they all have my back, just like I know I’ve chosen the right side.

“Did I not say she was special?” Riven asks, squeeing and clapping their hands as if we’re at the matinee. “Try not to die, darling. I’ll be sad to see you go.”

I’m not sure if they’re cheering for me or trying to get in my head, but there will be no dying for me today.

I pull in a sharp breath, willing my threads to calm. The golden strands around me swirl, reinforcing my muscles and bracing for action.

“You don’t have to do this,” I say to my mother, my voice shakier than I’d like but strong enough to be heard by every single witch in attendance.

See, I’m trying to think at them.We can stand up to her. If anyone wants to join me, this is your chance.

“You have power, you have followers,” I continue. “Why do you need the Loom?”

Andromeda laughs, a dry, grating sound. “There’s never enough power or followers, not when other species are physically stronger. Not until no one can ever threaten our existence again.”

“You were the one burning their villages, Mother.”

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