by Layla Frost
She crossed her arms. “But no one told you how I was to do any of it?”
I shook my head, holding back a smile as she blew her hair out of her face.
“Great,” she muttered sarcastically.
“We’ll figure it out together, my love.”
“Shit, hell, damn, ass,” Juno cursed, hustling back to us. “He’s heading over here.”
“Miss Keres—” the detective started before being stopped by a uniformed officer. He gave Juno a tight smile. “Sorry, I’ll be right there.”
Juno’s muttered curses continued for a moment. “If it is these Absolve assholes, the cops won’t be able to do anything, right? Magicks thieves are just going to keep attacking, trying to get to us?”
I nodded. “But I’m not waiting around for them to make the next move.”
A grin spread across Denny’s face, dazzling and distracting, if not a little scary. “Take the fight to them. I’m in.”
Pride at her ability to roll with each new revelation mixed with my need to protect her.
If anything happened to her, I’d burn the heavens, hell, and everything in between until all responsible paid.
“My little hellion, it could be dangerous.”
“That’s true.” Wrapping one arm around my back, her other went to my front as she rested her hand on my abdomen. She gazed up at me and smiled sweetly, her expression filled with love as she patted my stomach. “Since it’ll be dangerous, I understand if you don’t want to go. You can wait at home, but I’m going after those dickheads before they hurt more people.”
Juno tried to stifle a laugh, but failed, making Denny’s mischievous smile grow into a grin.
Fuck, I love her.
A gift from the gods.
Literally.
Following Juno to the front of the store, my rage grew as I surveyed the damage again.
Juno did the same, her voice thick as she said, “I still can’t believe they did this. It’s going to take me years to rebuild and restock. I wish I could use magicks, but sometimes the damage is too severe, even magicks can’t put it together again.”
Denny’s eyes found mine. “So I’ve heard.” She reached out to hesitantly pat Juno’s shoulder, but Juno disregarded the outstretched arm and hugged her instead.
“Thank you for calming me down,” she said. “Maybe now I won’t giggle myself into handcuffs. Well, unless it’s for fun.”
“You’ve got this. You’re the strongest witch there is, remember?” Denny carefully disengaged herself, having reached her limit.
Unfazed, Juno pulled me into the same friendly hug, taking Denny and me both by surprise. She sniffled, her body radiating heartache and fury.
I wondered if Absolve knew the truth. And if they did, would they tell Juno before I could?
Indecision and doubt weighed on me.
Stoned or not, she needs to know.
“We’ll get them for this,” I whispered, patting her back as I added, “sister of mine.”
Moving fast, I released her and entwined my fingers with Denny’s before briskly leading us from the building.
I had a feeling I knew what was about to happen, and if we stayed, it would only make it worse.
Once we were on the sidewalk, I peered into a window.
Looking straight ahead, Juno’s brows were furrowed. A moment passed and her eyes grew wide.
And then, like the first time I’d walked into her store, she slumped to the floor.
Maybe this will get her out of questions from the detective. Legal or not, he doesn’t look like the kind of man who’d tolerate a giggling, stoned woman.
Denny missed all of it, her sad gaze on the cotton candy massacre that littered the other store.
As we walked to the car, Denny remained focused on the road—metaphorically and literally—ahead of us.
She was determined, her strides confident. But because she wasn’t stupid, she was also scared and apprehensive.
In the face of Absolve, only an overconfident idiot wouldn’t be cautious.
I knew, because I’d been that overconfident idiot.
There was no point in reiterating about the danger. I’d told her what Absolve had been capable of long ago, and it stood to reason their power had grown since. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but her decision was made.
Fuck, she’s strong.
When we reached the car, I stopped her from getting in by pulling her to me. “I love you.”
I didn’t need to be able to read her emotions to see the love and lust in her gaze. “I love you, too.” She closed her eyes, her head dropping to my chest.
Music spilled from a storefront, and we stayed like that for a minute, swaying.
Just her and I in our own world, swaying to a song about soul mates and true love.
“I can’t believe this is my life,” she whispered against my chest. “Danger. Magicks. Witches and the prematurely expired. Heaven, hell, gods, angels, and the… Levi.” Tilting her head, she grinned at me. “And happiness. More than I ever thought I’d feel.”
“I’ll spend this eternity and the next making sure you always feel that way,” I promised roughly.
“I don’t doubt it.” Pale blue eyes stared into mine, her lips parted and her body pressed tight.
I’d live trapped in that house—in that hell—a million times over if it meant being right there with her. The burden of my life was worth the reward of her.
“About my eyes,” I started. Grabbing her hand, I pressed her palm to the spot on my chest where blackness had settled before. “I think the silver is you. My soul is gone, but you gave me part of yours when you gave me your love.”
With each passing moment, I could feel our bond strengthening. Our fraction of a soul was fusing, tying us together. There was still blackness in my chest, but it was surrounded by her light.
Her eyes drifted closed. When she opened them again, love and happiness shining through, she whispered, “An eternity and the next may not be enough.”
“I agree, my little hellion.” I inhaled, her scent soothing the memories of betrayal and regret. “I have to tell you something.”
With a nod, her grin faded. “Is it about kicking some Absolve ass?”
“In a manner of speaking.” I curled my fingers around her neck and used my thumb to push her chin up. “Juno is my sister. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you as soon as I suspected. I needed to see her to confirm it.”
She waved away my apology. “Are you saying she’s…”
“One of The Four.”
Stunned, she shook her head and muttered the only thing there was to say about any of it.
“Hell.”
The End…
For now.
Juno’s story will be coming SOON!
P.S. There will be an EPIC epilogue at the end of the series. Promise.
About the Author
Layla Frost has always been a rebel. A true badass.
Growing up, Layla used to hide under her blanket with a flashlight to read the Sweet Valley High books she pilfered from her older sister. It wasn’t long before she was reading hidden Harlequins during class at school. This snowballed into pulling all-nighters after the promise of “just one more chapter”.
Her love of reading, especially the romance genre, took root early and has grown immeasurably.
In between reading and writing, Layla spends her free time rocking out (at concerts, on the couch, in the car… Anywhere is a stage if you get into it enough), watching TV (the nerdier the better!), and being a foodie. Though she lives in NY (the state, not the city), she’s an avid Red Sox fan.
Connect with Layla Frost
I love connecting with readers. Please stalk… I mean, follow me… I post all the best memes:
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Email: laylafrostw
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