Page 81 of Of Magic and Murder

And it seems like wolves have a fourth option: hit the fucking things harder.

He didn’t shift to do so. I almost had expected him to after hearing that animalistic sound, but he comes charging through the woods in his skin, his gold eyes blazing, and his claws out. One look at me slumped against the tree is all it takes for the last of whatever control my mate usually possesses to simply disappear.

“Pen.” My name is a snarl and a promise of vengeance all in one as he lopes toward me as though he didn’t just smash through a ward to do so.

“I’m okay,” I gasp out, struggling to stand up all the way.

Yeah. I’m not okay. Every nerve in my body is still buzzing from Delilah’s sneak attack, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a bruise the size of a softball on my back tomorrow, but I’m alive at least. That’s all that matters to Riordan. I’m alive, and he isn’t going to let Delilah get a second shot at me.

He maneuvers his body so that he’s standing directly in front of me. He’s still shirtless. He must have stood on the porch, keeping his distance like he said he would, but keeping an ear cocked out in case I needed him.

And, oh, do I need him.

He hunches his shoulders, staring off against Delilah. “You hurt my mate.”

“She left me no choice. Now, come, Penelope. Stop hiding behind your brute. Finish this and know that, with your death, you’re returning Avalon to its former glory.”

“Death? His shoulders bunch, legs bracing as if he’s about to pounce. “Never.”

“Riordan!” I grab the back of his arm before he can make a move. I’m fueled by panic, but that’s because I can only imagine what sort of spell she’ll shoot at Riordan if he tries to attack her in order to protect me. “She has the lodestone and she’s using it!”

Riordan has learned enough about a lodestone these last few days that he knows what a credible threat that is. He goes still, biding his time, while Delilah laughs.

She laughs.

Peeking around Riordan’s bulk, I can see her. She’s standing across the way, holding the lodestone in one hand while she’s reaching into the pocket of her pink dress with the other.

“True lodestones are fully powered by sacrifice. I was just explaining that to Penelope here when you decided to interrupt, Beta. Now Garnet… that was a mistake, and I wasn’t prepared the way I ought to have been because I never expected to kill her. With Faith, I poured the activation potion on the lodestone and dipped it in her blood, but I left the bottle behind.”

So that was why there was a broken bottle found where she died? Because of the lodestone?

I don’t get the chance to ask before Delilah says, “I didn’t make that mistake with Olivia.” She takes a potion bottle out of her pocket. “And I won’t make it with you, Penelope.”

Riordan growls. I saw the way his shoulders tightened again as Delilah brought up Garnet, and I promise myself that, if we get out of this in one piece, I’ll tell him all about poor Garnet’s fate. For now, I notice his fingers flexing, claws on display, each time she mentions another victim.

Faith.

Olivia.

Penelope.

“Try to harm a hair on my mate’s head,” snarls Riordan. “Just try it. I don’t know what’s going on. Don’t know how you’re the one who killed those witches, but it doesn’t matter. When I’m done with you, they’ll see how much damage a wolf shifter can really do.”

An ugly sneer twists Delilah’s features. For a moment, she lifts her hand, conjuring her illusion spell again so that Riordan can see how easily she turns her witch hand into a wolf’s paw. As he throws an arm out, trying to shield me, she laughs again.

“Such a good puppy you are, Riordan,” she coos. “Always protecting everyone. Even when no one wanted you to. You just trot along at their heels these days, ever since your curse neutered you. Well, since you want to get involved… why don’t I finish the job.”

Before I can shout a warning or do anything to stop her, neon green magic erupts from the lodestone. It arrows directly at my mate, slamming into his chest.

His big body locks in place an instant before goes crashing down to his knees. A howl rips from his throat, and I lunge for him, calling out his name.

It takes more effort than it should, but Riordan manages to resume the same position: one arm thrown out, doing his best to stop me from getting in front of him.

“Stay back, Pen,” he says, his voice strained, his arm shaking.

My heart breaks. Even on his knees, he’s trying to protect me, and I have no idea how I’m going to protect him.

Delilah preens from across the clearing. “Do you know how long I’ve wondered what would happen if someone finally put the great Riordan Lobo in his place?”