Page 116 of Wrongfully Magicked
Before I can ask what’s happening, Soren’s eyes widen, and he lunges forward, frantically digging through the powdered ash and hellfire. Cinders float in the air, but he doesn’t stop, not until a tiny head pops out of the heated coals.
A small bird frantically wiggles, clawing and pecking at the heated ashes. Once free, she stretches out her black wings and flutters her feathers. The crust coating her small form cracks, revealing flames glowing under the plumage.
The bird is about the size of a hawk, but that’s where the similarities end. Her black wings are edged with flames, wisps of black smoke and tiny sparks trailing into the air every time she moves. The crest on the top of her head fans out, revealing a bright yellow that shimmers with heat. With every breath she takes, a deep orange and red seems to flare to life and glow in her breast.
Her tail feathers are an ombré color, dark reds and oranges at the base growing a brighter yellow at the tips, until more cinders and smoke flick off her. While her feet are a dark orange tipped with black talons, her beak is a mixture of yellow and orange.
The creature is magnificent.
Her eyes swirl with molten heat as she blinks, then she cocks her head and peers around the room curiously. With her wings slightly flared, she glows in the dark.
“Anita?” Soren croaks hoarsely, tears shimmering in his eyes, making them appear like a molten silver.
The bird lifts her head and lets out a piercing shriek.
Without hesitation, Soren shoves the pile of ash and burning embers away, then scoops up the bird with an expression of awe and cuddles her to his chest. He coos at the little creature, delicately running a single finger down her head, and the bird eagerly brushes her face against him.
“Soren?” My voice trembles as I silently beg him for confirmation. Desperate hope fills my chest, and I pray he’s not wrong.
“It’s a firebird.” He leans down and brushes his jaw over the top of her head, accepting her affection when she rubs her face against his in return. “I’m not sure how it’s possible, but it’s Anita.”
The guys gingerly gather around the pair, their steps hesitant as they huddle around the fragile bird. I can’t force myself to move, too afraid to hope. If they are wrong, I will lose the last bit of my sanity. My beast is already just a step away from turning completely feral.
When everyone begins fussing over the little creature, her molten eyes connect with mine. Crystal eyes stare back unblinking, the fractured orbs making it look like flames are flickering in their depths, and the mating marks between us burn.
It’s her.
I’m across the room in an instant, my fingers gently brushing against the heated feathers on her chest, and my skin tingles at the contact. It’s only when all five of us touch her at the same time that flames burst over the small bird, and Soren quickly catches a very naked Anita when she shifts back into her human body.
Porter’s shadows immediately spill over her skin, covering her nudity with a flowy dress that wraps around her figure from chin to toe. Her eyes remain closed, and my gaze instantly drops to her chest. I stare, watching almost obsessively, counting each breath she takes.
“Did she change into a beastling?” Darby doesn’t look away from her still form, her hand clutched firmly in his own, and I doubt he’ll release her anytime soon.
When I glance up at the demon, I see him shrugging into his jacket, the prince impeccably dressed and groomed once more. He snorts at the absurdity of the question. “Of course not. The only thing I did was activate her demonic genes.”
He glances at Anita, but his face gives nothing away. “She survived the transition that will allow her to use her newly awakened powers. She’ll grow stronger and need to be taught how to use her demonic abilities.”
Now that he got what he wanted, he dismisses her and turns to scan each of us with hard eyes that shimmer almost maroon in color. “I’ve held up my part of the bargain. Now it’s your turn to make sure she lives to fulfill hers.”
Without another word, he whirls and steps into the wall. Shadows burst across the surface milliseconds before he would have slammed into it, and he disappears into nothingness. The walls ripple like a pond, as if his body disturbed the surface, then it turns solid once more.
As much as I want to follow the bastard and demand answers, I refuse to leave my mate’s side.
I just got Anita back, and that’s all that matters.
I’m not foolish enough to believe this is over, not by a long shot, and I silently vow to do everything in my power to make sure nothing like that ever happens again…even if I have to kill a demon prince to do it.
EPILOGUE
ANITA
It took me a week to wake up from whatever whammy my dear old dad placed on me. I should be exhausted, but I feel like a new person.
Literally.
Power thrums through my veins, more than just my normal flames, and I’m terrified to even touch it.
Demonic powers.
