Two more cops appeared from my bedroom, calling the detective back with them, and my body finally rebelled, the knowledge of what I knew resided there, forcing bile into my still sealed mouth. I gagged on the vomit, choking, until the cop holding me upright yelled for the detective and she ran in, casting as soon as she saw what was happening.
They bent me over and she turned my head to one side as I spit and dragged a deep breath down my stomach acid scorched throat into my burning lungs. I managed to whisper, “Thank you,” leaning into her as if she wasn’t the person about to end my life as I knew it, my legs weak and trembling. The police held almost all my body weight. “I don’t understand what’s happening,” I added, but silenced myself before she could decide to renew the spell.
“You’re okay,” she murmured, not quite sympathetic, but without accusation. “Just breathe.” She tipped my chin up so I was forced to meet her eyes. They were the color of chocolate, and it made me think of how good chocolate would feel on my stinging throat. “You must be powerful, to take down someone so big.”
I shook my head. “Not really. Besides, do you see any vines climbing my walls? My magic is growing things. New life, not death.” The absence of magic had been one of the first things I’d noticed when the initial shock was over. “How did he die?”
The other officer jerked my arm hard enough to make my shoulder pop. “Like you don’t know,” he snarled and I dropped my eyes, holding my body still so he wouldn’t yank on me again.
“Enough, Jones. You start knocking on doors. Sam and I will secure her in our vehicle.”
"Yes ma'am, Detective."
I tried not to show my relief, even though she wasn’t giving me special treatment. The paranormal division of the Oakland PD employed witches, reluctantly, to keep supernaturals under control when we were arrested. It came with certain benefits, like a fast track to promotions. Usually, I was all for better representation for my kind in the police department. It had saved a lot of magical lives when cops stopped shooting first under the assumption we were all immortal.
I’m half Fae and I could be hard to kill. But I wasn’t about to start testing the theory, not when the other half was almost human-weak and just as slow to heal. The detective called out to her partner and the asshole on my left was replaced by a giant. He wasn’t a literal giant, but he was huge compared to my five-foot-three inches.
“You okay there?” he asked, sincere concern radiating from him. “Tracy, was this self-defense?”
Detective Mills sighed, and I felt her shrug. “I dunno, Sam. There’s no sign of a struggle, but he’s awfully young-looking for a heart-attack."
“He’s the alpha,” I blurted, my usual helpful self being anything but as they walked me to their magically protected car. Steel and machines are difficult to enchant, their components being the literal antithesis of magic. All the growing pains resulting from our people coming out of hiding is why witch-detectives were so valuable, they’ve got to be the best to maintain control in magical situations.
“Fuck.” The giant tightened his hold as he guided me down the narrow flight of stairs to the foyer. They had their routine down; him handling me and the doors, leaving her hands free to cast if necessary. If I had been stupid enough to try to escape.
“Look. I didn’t do anything to him…to the man in my room,” I began again as the male detective loomed over me, buckling me into my seat. I wasn’t cuffed, the detective’s spell was enough to control me even inside the car. “I only know him because he’s like, famous around here.”
The giant sighed. “Did they read her her rights?” I couldn’t hear the reply, but he stuck his head in the window after shutting the door on me. “You need to stop talking until you get to the station, okay?”
I nodded, but I couldn’t help myself. “But I work for Tell's Bail Bonds.” I was horrified to find myself sniffling like our clients so often did. “I wouldn’t break the law…”
But he had already vanished from view, and I was left to shake and cry in the back of the paranormal squad car as the crowd of onlookers around me grew.
Continue Reading Morgana’s story in Curse of Iron, here!
Also By Graceley Knox & D.D. Miers
The Kresova Vampire Harems: Aurora (Written with D.D. Miers)
1. Thirst
2. Tempt
3. Turn
Aurora Books 1-3
The Kresova Vampire Harems: Lyra (Written with D.D. Miers)
4. Favor
5. Fury
The Girl, Vampire Series
1. Girl, Bitten
2. Girl, Forsaken
3. Girl, Immortal
The Half-Blood Huntress Chronicles
Prequel: Deck the Demons (Exclusively in Such Violent Delights)
1. Curse of Iron
2. Heir of Storm
3. Master of Magic
4. Reign of Rebels
5. War of Thrones
How to Date A Supernatural
1. How to Date a Werewolf… or 3
2. How to Capture a Demon’s Heart
The Shadow Creatures Series
1. Gravestones & Wicked Bones
2. Cursed Moons & Ancient Runes (Coming 2019!)
How to Be A Necromancer
1. Grave Promise
2. Grave Debt
3. Grave Mistake
4. Grave Magic
5. Grave Chance
Alana Creed: Timejumper
1. Fae Kissed
By Graceley Knox
The Wicked Kingdoms Series:
1. Mark of Truth
2. Crown of Betrayal
3. Throne of Secrets
3.5. Yuletide Revelry (A Wicked Kingdoms Christmas Short)
4. Castle of Illusions
The Dragon Stone Saga:
Kiss of Frost
Up in Smoke (Coming Soon)
Shake the Ground (Coming Soon)
By D.D. Miers
The Relic Keeper Series
1.Dark Summoner
2.Dark Illusions
3.Dark Secrets (Coming Soon!)
4.Dark Destiny (Coming Soon!)
The Supernaturals of Los Melas
1. Gretel: Witch Hunter
Standalones:
City of Shadows: The Dark Fae Hollows
Wicked: The Isa Fae
Slayer in Lace
About the Authors
USA Today bestselling authors, Graceley Knox and D.D. Miers may be long-lost sisters, but their moms continue to deny it. They are most definitely the co-writers of the Kresova Vampire Harem series, as well as a multitude of other upcoming projects they can't wait to share with readers.
Together they tend to share the same brain, finish each other's thoughts, laugh way too hard at inappropriate comments, drink enough coffee to qualify for an intervention, and talk about their fur babies. When they're not chatting, which is always, they can be found all over social media hanging out with their author friends and readers!
Visit them at www.knoxandmiers.com
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How to Capture a Demon's Heart Page 9
