by Chris Cannon
“What are you doing?” Jake asked.
I let the blood drip onto the silver bracelet. “May this shackle melt into the ground. Never again will I be demon bound.”
The bracelet lost its shape, turning into a small silver puddle.
Blue light flashed and Bane appeared. His face was contorted in anger which morphed into confusion. “You’re alive?”
“I died…briefly,” I said, “which voided my contract with Carol. The spell on the bracelet is to ensure you’ll never trap me again.”
“You think you’re done with me?” Bane laughed.
“Yes. I do.” I backed up a step, slicing my palm as I moved, flexing my hand so the blood would flow. “But there’s one more thing we need to take care of.”
“What would that be?” Bane moved closer, towering over me.
“Thorns of rose bind him tight, until he releases Zelda and Carol from their plight.”
Thorny green vines reached out for Bane. I felt the sunshine flowing into me, and I sent the energy shooting through my body into the ground. I guided the rose bushes to trap Bane and wrap around his arms and legs, forming a thorny cage.
Bane laughed. “You’re a young witch. You can’t hold me. You have no real power.”
He snapped his fingers and the rose vines drooped but they didn’t fall away.
“Wrong,” I said. “I’m a witch with three generations of untapped power flowing through my veins.”
The wind kicked up and I felt my power surge. The vines continued wrapping around Bane, encircling his torso, wrapping around his chest.
For the first time Bane didn’t look so sure of himself. “You’d risk your life and the lives of those you love to free Carol and Zelda?”
“Yes,” I said.
He smiled. “I knew you were worthy of power. If I release Carol and Zelda, they must retire. Stop fighting me. Stop trying to save souls.”
“No,” Jake said. “You’re going to let them go back to their old lives. Let them help people again.”
“And why would I do that?” Bane asked.
“If you don’t, I’ll tell all the vampires how tasty your blood is.”
“And then all the vampires will die,” Bane pronounced.
“Jake has a point.” I cinched the vines tighter around Bane. “Give Carol and Zelda their lives back.”
Bane laughed. “You can’t hold me forever.”
“I’m pouring my blood into my mother’s favorite roses. She spent hours talking to them, pouring her heart into them.” I twisted my hands, squeezing the vines tighter, making the thorns sharper. “I can keep you here for days and invite all the other demons to come see you in captivity.”
Bane snarled. “Fine. I’ll release Carol and Zelda.”
“While you’re at it, make me human again,” Jake said. “Being a vampire is amazing, but being with Meena is more important.”
I sucked in a breath. “You want to give up immortality for me?”
He nodded.
“Anything else you’d like?” Bane’s words dripped sarcasm. “Maybe a never-ending supply of ice cream.”
“Tempting, but I think we’re good.” I squeezed my hand so more blood flowed. “Let his promises to me set Bane free.” The green vines receded and disappeared.
Bane waved his hand at Jake. “This won’t be pleasant.”
“What do you—” Jake dropped to his knees and moaned.
“Bane?” Was he hurting Jake or healing him?
“Unfortunately, he’ll be fine in a few minutes,” Bane said. “Your power is impressive, and one day you’ll grow bored of your human limitations. When that happens, come see me.” And then he disappeared in a flash of blue light.
Before I could think of anything to say, Jake projectile-vomited blood.
I put my hand on his back. “Are you okay?”
He sat back and moved away from the red puddle of yuck. “That was gross.” Then he touched his mouth. “Hey, my fangs are gone.” He smiled up at me. “I’d kiss you but I should brush my teeth first.”
I nodded. “Agreed.”
“Can we be done with magic stuff for a while?” my dad asked. “Maybe celebrate with some ice cream?”
“I’d love that, but Jake and I need to talk first.”
My dad headed into the house.
“I’ll call Zelda and Carol and give them the good news.” Sage followed my dad inside.
“You were amazing,” Jake said.
“Thanks. Let’s get you some mouthwash.”
Once Jake’s blood breath was gone, we sat on the couch in the front room while my dad and Sage ate ice cream in the kitchen. There was something I wanted to ask him. “That stuff you said about not wanting to be here without me. Did you mean it?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you blow me off the other day?” It might be petty, but I needed to know why and I needed to make sure I could trust him.
Jake frowned. “I’m sorry. I think it came down to ego. I hated that Bane was so powerful. I really am sorry and I will never do anything that stupid again.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“So are we good?” Jake asked.
“If you kiss me in the next thirty seconds,” I said. “But no pressure.”
Jake wrapped his arms around me and pulled me onto his lap before pressing his mouth against mine. I kissed him back, reveling in the warmth growing between us. Being with him felt right.
“The ice cream is melting,” my dad hollered from the kitchen.
I pulled away from Jake and sighed. “To be continued later?”
“Count on it.”
I reflected on what a strange summer it had been. I might not have gotten my mother back but I’d been able to spend time with her and I knew she was at peace. My dad could start down his own road to recovery and we could all move on with our lives. Carol and Zelda were free. Over time, I’d figure out more ways to use my magic and maybe I could swing the balance of power away from the demons. No matter what happened with my magic, I was determined to live a semi-normal life…just a bookworm with a boyfriend. I might never blend in with the float-making, parade-loving citizens of Crossroads, but I had finally found a place where I fit, where I belonged.
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Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank Erin Molta for helping to make my books the best they can be. I’d like to thank Entangled Publishing for believing in my stories.
About the Author
Chris Cannon is the award-winning author of the Going Down In Flames series, the Boyfriend Chronicles and the Dating Dilemmas series. She lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and several furry beasts.
She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures, urban fantasies, or romantic comedies. You can find her online at www.chriscannonauthor.com.
Also by Chris Cannon…
Going Down in Flames
Bridges Burned
Trial By Fire
Fanning the Flames
Burning Bright
Blackmail Boyfriend
The Boyfriend Bet
Boomerang Boyfriend
The Dating Debate
99% Faking It
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