Page 44 of The Magic of Revenge
Asrael threw his head back and laughed. “I see you still have delusions of grandeur.”
Cam still had Laurie in his grip, but Khol moved in and put her in a headlock, holding her tight against his body. “Wish I could say it was nice seeing you again. But I can’t. So let me say this. If you so much as look at my daughter or her mates again, I will make good on my threat. The only reason I’m not doing it right now is because I’ve waited a long fucking time to get my hands on this one.” He indicated at Laurie.
“Enough talking. I’m ready to see my mate,” I snarled, done with the games. It had been too fucking long since I’d held her in my arms and felt her body against mine.
Bram’s hand slipped into mine and I glanced down to see his other hand clasped around Sloane’s. I assumed that Khol had a hold on Laurie and Cam both, but they were behind us so I couldn’t be sure.
“Don’t let him take me, Asrael, please!” Laurie shrieked and Asrael rolled his eyes as though she was being dramatic about her impending demise.
“We’ll meet again,” Asrael said, his gaze landing on each of us. “I’m coming for the crown, nephew.” Bram bristled at that declaration but before anything else could be said, Asrael’s arm snapped forward so quickly there was hardly time to register the flashing glint of metal flying through the air.
Suddenly, we were swirling through darkness. Napoleon was squealing at the top of his tiny mouse lungs. At least we got out of there and we had Laurie, so vengeance could be served. We collapsed in a heap with an oomph. Someone’s knobby knee was grinding into my spine and I groaned as I rolled away.
Half a second later, Khol, Cam, and Laurie landed in the room with us. A lot more gracefully, I noticed as I stared up at them from the floor.
“I’m taking her to the shed outside. I’ll be able to reinforce it and she can sit out there and wait for punishment,” Khol gritted through his teeth, pulling her through the room by her hair.Vicious. Sloane was on his feet, looking around the room while Bram looked a bit dazed on the floor. Jumping multiple people was probably pretty damn exhausting. It seemed Khol was using his anger to fuel his body then. I was about to ask Bram if he wanted some water or something when the sound of someone’s hurried steps came from the stairs.
I smelled her before I saw her. Sunshine, coconuts, and vanilla.Mine.
We sat in the lush grass, hand in hand, our excitement heavy in the open air around us after Fischer told us he had reached Kai. After Baggie left my mind, I'd felt such excitement at the prospect of getting my men back. Gods, I’d missed them so fucking much. I couldn't wait to push Cam's buttons, wiggle against Kai as he smelled me, and banter with Sloane. Now that the truth was all out in the open, I felt like we could only grow stronger as a group. The longing I felt for that, that sense of wholeness, was a surprise to me. I'd been raised by a strong witch who hadn't needed anyone. I took on Gran's standpoint on that. I did things for myself and created my own destiny.
But I was quickly learning that just because you don'tneedpeople to get by, doesn't mean it isn't really fucking nice to have them in your corner.
My thoughts were interrupted when Fischer's hand slipped from mine and he slumped over against me. "Oh gods," I shouted, panicked. I'd already lost him once, I couldn't handle it again.The smoke, the forest, the bruises, his cold face, the stillness...
"Wild one, it's okay. You're okay. Breathe. In through your nose and out through your mouth." Khol's voice drifted through my mind, though it sounded muffled. Like I was underwater.
"Can't... breathe," I gasped, my eyes darting around as Bram and Faris lifted Fischer off of me. Both of them were staring at me with concern.
"He's okay, Saige. You need to breathe," Khol urged, pushing the hair out of my face and forcing me to look at him. My eyes were still locked on Fischer's body and when I saw the blood running from his nose, I howled like I'd been stabbed.
"Bleeding, he's bleeding!"
"Get him into bed. He exerted a lot of energy and was still weak from... before," Khol told Bram and Faris.He was still weak from dying. That's what he meant."Bram, be ready in five minutes. Fischer showed me where they are before he passed out. They'll be ready."
"Come, Saige. We can sit with Fischer while they do what needs to be done," Gran said, extending her hand to me. My heart was still racing, but I didn't feel like I was going to suffocate anymore. Small wins. Khol propped me up on my feet and I took Gran's hand.He's okay. He's okay.If I chanted that enough in my mind it would be true, right?
Looking back, Khol was still standing there watching us as we moved away. I stopped and held my hand out to him with a soft smile. His eyes went the tiniest bit rounder and a faint blush tinted his cheeks. A moment later, his hand was gripping mine tightly and he had the cutest little grin on his face. It was a little strange, not having a dad for twenty-eight years of my life... but Khol wanted this. He'd done nothing but show me through his actions how much he wanted to be a father to me.Plus, he gives really great advice and hugs.
Gran had a smile on her face as well. I think she was impressed by the surly demon, not that she'd be admitting it any time soon. But her approval of our newfound relationship meant a lot to me.
I raced up the stairs once we got inside, Maven hot on my heels. Faris was slipping Fischer's shoes off as I bounded into my room. Guppy was sprawled out on my bed, his dark curls falling over his eyes. Bram appeared from the bathroom with a wet cloth and together, he and Faris worked to get Fischer comfortable and cleaned up.
My heart nearly exploded from... feelings. It wasn't just love. It was security, warmth, happiness. Despite Faris being brand new to this world in a physical sense, I couldn't deny that I felt I already knew him. I also couldn't wait to get to know him more. The sparks were already there between us, they just needed to be stoked. Bram was studying Faris with a puzzled expression on his face as he wiped away the blood from beneath his brother's nose.
"Bram, it's time. We'll be back as soon as possible," Khol said from behind me, and without giving it any thought at all, I launched myself at my dad and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you, for everything, Dad," I sighed, burying my face against his chest. His arms wrapped around me and he squeezed me in return.
"You are everything to me now, wild one," he whispered and I blinked away tears at the sincerity of his voice.How different might my life have been if he'd been a part of it from the beginning?
"Goldie, we'll be right back. Half an hour tops, okay? Faris will sit with you." Bram eyed Faris skeptically, not quite sure what to make of the blood mage yet. There was no mistaking the threat in his gaze.Hurt her and I’ll kill you.Pulling me from Khol to himself, he bent to brush his lips against mine and I smiled up at him. Gods, this demon was delicious.
"Bring them back to me, Bram," I said, cupping his cheek in my hand. "And for the love of the moon, be careful!"
Both demons grinned at that and with a wink from Bram, they vanished.
I released a breath, trying to calm myself. Everything would be fine.
