Page 71 of Wrongfully Magicked
“It was a coordinated attack,” Soren rumbles, his footsteps burning into the ground with every step. “They kept us distracted until they could get away.”
I grunt in agreement, watching the guys mop up blood and haphazardly doctor the worst of their injuries. “We weren’t the target, just collateral damage.”
“But how could they have known we would be here?” An aggressive rattle rumbles in Cassius’ chest, and he distractedly stitches together a nasty wound in his shoulder with impatientmovements. “Even if MID told her family, it would have taken time to coordinate an attack.”
“They didn’t know we were coming, not here specifically.” I want to curse myself for being so stupid and not figuring it out sooner. “The first two attempts to retrieve her failed. Her family can’t afford any more mistakes. They must have put a bounty on her head. If they can’t hand her over to the demon, the contract will be null and void.”
A growl rumbles from Soren, steam rising from his skin as his temperature rises. “It’s worse than that. When a contract isn’t fulfilled, penalties are incurred. If the demon doesn’t get what he wants, my guess is her family members’ lives are forfeit.”
“Which makes them even more dangerous,” I mutter, my speed picking up. The thought of them getting their hands on Anita chills my blood. “Her family is so power hungry, they are willing to make a deal with a demon. If they think they might be held accountable for their actions, then they are going to become even more ruthless.”
“I have Darby’s scent.” Soren doesn’t wait for a response before charging into the trees. Cassius and I don’t even hesitate to follow.
It’s only when I spot Darby and Anita heading in our direction that my tightly held control finally shatters. My shadows burst out of me, and I close the distance between us in seconds. I take shape before Anita, gently tipping her chin up, and my scowl deepens as I note every scrape and bruise.
Because I fucked up.
I was cocky, thinking that I could keep her safe on my own, and it could have cost Anita her life.
I’m done trying to keep my distance, it’s futile anyway. I thought I was protecting her from myself, protecting her from the literal boogeyman, but I’m beginning to understand shemight need a monster born from nightmares if she wants to get out of this alive.
I won’t allow anything to happen to her, even if I have to claim her for myself.
ANITA
The light around me dims, like a shadow passing overhead, then the darkness thickens until a shape forms seemingly from nothing.
Porter.
I’m so glad he’s alive, I nearly throw myself into his arms. It’s only Stryker’s growl and grip on the back of my shirt that stops me. I suspect if I move wrong, the cat will attack. He’s already weak from starvation and being held prisoner, not to mention injured from a dozen wounds.
I’m not sure how much more he can take.
Careful to keep my body between the men, I study Porter. He looks a little worse for wear, barely maintaining his human form, his shadows a little ragged where they cling to his skin. He must be running low on energy as well, and that’s never a good combination for a beastling.
Soren steps in front of me, basically body checking Porter aside in his rush. He doesn’t hesitate to wrap me up in his arms, and I sink into his warmth, loving the scent of sulfur and flowers. His beast chuffs, and I swear I hear his hellhound fussing at me in my head.
“We need to get going,” Cassius interrupts, stepping into view, and my breath catches when it looks like tiny scales are etched into his skin. His glasses are gone, revealing bright, reptilian green eyes flecked with so much yellow, they almost seem to glow.
I almost expect him to duck his head and look away, but he holds my gaze almost defiantly. I wait for words of recrimination or admonishment, but they never come.
My chest tightens, my heart pounds, and my first thought is his basilisk got ahold of me, but that would be wrong.
My reaction is all for the man and has nothing to do with fear.
His look can only mean one thing—he’s done pushing me away. He’s willing to take a chance on me, and I’m determined not to disappoint him.
Glancing at everyone, the chill from the tunnels finally fades, and a warm glow fills my chest at being surrounded by friends. “Anyone have any idea how we get back to civilization? The sooner we leave, the better.”
I’m very conscious of the tunnels below us, that we might very well be standing over the people who would grab me again if they knew I escaped. Even the smallest noise could alert them to our presence, and they could raise the alarm at any second.
No one speaks right away, and Gwen clears her throat, lifting her hand awkwardly. “I might know somewhere. It’s not civilization, but it’s a place where we can stay and regroup.”
When the guys glance at her dubiously, I smile. “Gwen and Stryker are with us. They helped me escape. I’m not leaving them behind to be captured again. No one deserves what fate had in store for them.”
Though clearly unhappy, Porter doesn’t protest, maybe learning to pick his battles. He bows to Gwen, who is practically half his size, then nods his head. “Your hospitality would be greatly appreciated.”
Much to my surprise, we don’t leave the borderlands, instead we head farther into the wilderness. They would never think to look for us there, because who in their right mind would head deeper into the borderlands?
