Page 134 of Mage Massacres

Sloane

Tuesday, June 16th

Morning

Monday had dragged on for eternity, but we’d finally started ridding Amelia’s estate of all its guests.

Hyde was leaving with Arwen and dropping Pete off in Nashville before heading to Stars to pack her belongings. I’d been able to help her explain why her new apartment was so important. Her mates had immediately decided on a rotating schedule to keep her from being alone.

They pressed her for more information about the gorgon, but she wasn’t ready to talk about it. I had kindly informed them that the memories were fresh, and she’d talk about it when she could stomach the explanation.

Blue and his horde deserved far worse than I gave them, but the raging demon had overridden my mind, making it impossible for me to slow down.

After seeing Hyde’s reactions to the questions, Arwen smiled sadly at me.

“How do I properly thank you for protecting her?” His thoughts hit me right in the center of my chest.

“You don’t thank me. You help me, Arwen, but you have to stop putting her in a glass box. Hyland is not a child, and she hasn’t been for a long time. If she wanted, the woman at your side could rule the world. Don’t hold her down; lift her up.”

He tipped his head in acknowledgment as Hyde swatted and giggled at Pete. Her other two mates said their goodbyes to my guys and the Lynch twins, joining Arwen as they waited for us.

I kissed Hyde’s cheek. “I’ll be in the fae realm for a few days, but you can summon Jack if you need anything. He’s in Baton Rouge.”

She sighed. “I know, Lo.”

“I mean it. Summon him for anything, even if it’s just to help you move your furniture around.”

“Yeah.” She snorted. “I’ll call D and Grim for that.”

“I’ve already told them where I’ll be. If you haven’t heard from me in—”

“Fifteen days.” Her humor dried up as she met my eyes. “I know the drill, bitch. Fifteen days of silence, and I’ll rain hellfire and venom down on that whole godsdamn realm.”

I nodded, anxiety swirling in the pit of my stomach. “Have Arwen and Grim check your apartment. Don’t stay alone. Something is coming, Hyde. I just can’t see what it is.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me as she whispered, “You’ve never let me doubt myself, and I won’t let you do the same. You’re powerful. You’re capable. And nothing stands in your way unless you allow it. So don’t allow it.”

Hyde glided to her mates, winking at me as she took Arwen’s hand and stepped into the Void.

I shook off the warped feeling of foreboding as I searched for Miller and Murphy.

Stone and I had stopped Zephyr and Farris, leaving them with the tracking brands and the Devil’s seal before they returned to finish whatever job they’d put on hold. They had accepted our offer to seek out the rest of the Moore children, but only if Miller helped them.

That was an interesting negotiation, to say the least.

Miller had agreed to the terms, first checking to ensure her apothecary business would run smoothly without her. The upscale shop was trendy among the mages, and her inventory was impressive. Her greed for knowledge was displayed in thousands of potions and spells.

She had a little something for everything.

Murphy would be taking over Gary Brown’s duties on the council until we filled the position. Outwardly, he wasn’t stoked about it. But inwardly? He squealed like a little girl.

As I warned them of the anxiety creeping up my spine, Murph grew unusually serious.

“The air does feel a bit stagnant.”

I arched my brow at him. “There’s no breeze.”

“No.” He shook his head. “It feels heavy and stale, like something is suffocating the magic.”