Page 72 of Guardians of the Assassins
Because the instant he let go of the sword, it vanished. She scanned him again, unable to spot where he drew the stiletto, and her eyes brightened in wonder. She took a step toward him, barely resisting the urge to search him. “A spell? How many weapons can it hide? Can you teach it to me?”
His bright yellow eyes faded as his beast eased back control. He seemed amused by her question, but she noticed the way his chest puffed out slightly with pride. “Yes. A lot. And later.”
Morgan pouted at his short answers, which only amused him more.
Worse—he didn’t crack.
Morgan grinned at the challenge.
“May I?” He held out the stiletto in the palm of his hand, allowing her to inspect the blade, like he was seeking her approval, and she found herself charmed by the old ritual way of asking for permission.
“Yes.” Weirdly enough, she found herself blushing at his request and held out her arm.
He lifted the stiletto, setting it against her forearm, the blade cold to the touch…then he hesitated. She found his reluctance adorable and placed her hand on his wrist. “It needs to be done. It’s either you or him…or I can do it myself.”
A furrow appeared between his brows at the thought of her coming to harm, and he shook his head, like he only trusted himself to make the cut. He cupped her arm, his fingersrunning lightly against her skin, goose bumps erupting under his touch.
Then the blade bit fast and deep. She sucked in a harsh breath at the unexpected burst of pain, and she gritted her teeth as blood welled up from the wound and quickly spilled down her arm. She clenched her hand into a fist to keep from instinctively covering the injury to stem the flow.
A muscle ticked in Caedmon’s jaw. He whirled away with a vicious growl, his fists clenched at his sides to keep from binding the wound and erasing the damage he’d inflicted.
None of the other guys looked any happier.
“Get the fuck on with it,” Kincade demanded, agitation making his words all growly. His beast rested heavily on him, and he flexed his shoulders like he was trying to relieve the weight of his wings.
Ward flipped open the book to the spell without any more prompting, and Shade dipped his finger in her blood and began making symbols against her flesh. Both men stopped when they came upon her back and saw the runes etched in her skin. “Morgan?—”
“Later…let’s finish this before my arm heals.” She refused to look at them, not wanting to answer questions. Though the wound was deep, the injury was already stitching together in a queasy way that made it feel like worms were burrowing under her skin.
Only after a slight hesitation, Shade resumed painting her body, his fingers barely a brush against her skin. As the blood began to dry, the symbols began to itch…only it was more than just the blood.
Magic built under her skin, the pressure making her body feel too small as it struggled to contain the sudden surge, the sensation feeling like ants were crawling over her skin. When she realized the symbols were responsible, her heart seized so hard, it felt like pulp in her chest.
It disturbed her that they managed to find a spell that could summon her magic.
That they could control her.
It was her worst nightmare.
If the spell fell into the wrong hands…she shuddered.
“Focus.” Ward snapped his fingers in front of her face to get her attention, the spellbook gone. The concern in his eyes eased the panic constricting her chest. “The spell is useless without your blood. You’re safe.”
“Your oath.” Her demand crackled with power. If he gave his promise, he would be bound to it by magic. He wouldn’t be able to lie.
Ward didn’t even hesitate. “I vow it.”
The tightness in her spine eased, and she released a shaky breath. Anxious to wash away the proof of the symbols, she licked her lips. “What next?”
“Done,” Shade announced, coming around to stand in front of her. His complexion was strained and waxy, and she feared her blood was affecting him as well. “You’ll need to activate the spell to complete it.”
“Just tell me how.” As the magic continued to build, it was all she could do not to claw off her own flesh.
“You must focus your magic. It will continue to build until it’s released.” He twisted his palms together, conjuring a burst of flames that quickly burned away the blood staining his fingers.
“Focus it where?” Sweat broke out along her hairline, her blood feeling like it was slowly beginning to boil. When the guys took a step toward her, she held up her hand to hold them off. She wasn’t worried her magic would harm them, she just couldn’t risk losing focus.
The guys paced like hungry lions, but they kept their distance.
