Then the four of them rushed to the library where the incident had occurred. Roman tipped his head back and closed his eyes. He growled and reopened them.
“I sense the darkness.” He turned to Arto. “What exactly happened in here?”
Arto clenched his jaw. “After the incantation, smoke rose from the text. The words seemed to lift from the page. A dark energy rose with it, pulsing in the air and suffocating the room. I closed the book and said whatever chants I could think of to reverse what had been done.”
“I also told the demon it wasn’t welcome and to get the fuck out of here.” Janie tipped her head. “Or something along those lines.”
Larissa spun in a slow circle with her hands raised. “The tower is fortified with our protective magic, though?”
“Yes,” Roman agreed through tight lips and reopened his eyes.
“I feel vibrations in the room.” Larissa’s brows furrowed in concentration. “Like the protective magic is fighting the dark energy.”
Roman exhaled, although his grim expression remained. “That may help us in one regard. The demon might have attempted to come through but is unable to cross over.”
Janie wrung her hands together, her tormented eyes now holding a gleam of hope. “Then maybe it didn’t work.”
“Maybe,” Roman repeated, although he didn’t appear convinced.
“And there isn’t a portal here, right?” Larissa asked.
“Right,” Roman agreed.
“Then how can a demon slip through?” she asked. “They came through the portal last time.”
“There are other ways.” Roman grunted. “Unfortunately, summoning is one of them. Humans have inadvertently brought demons forth when engaging in dangerous activities—like playing with Ouija boards.”
Larissa groaned. “And one got to my grandmother in her house that was protected by her magic.”
That was more than unsettling. The demon had breached her grandmother’s house and killed her. Witch protection alone hadn’t been enough to keep it out. But here in the compound, they had gargoyle shifter magic to protect them as well as additional layers that Larissa had added since moving in.
“I’m going to try something.” Larissa raised her hands palms forward. She closed her eyes and repeated a chant so low he couldn’t understand the words.
The floor beneath their feet trembled like the start of an earthquake. Janie rushed over to Arto and clenched his biceps. Wind stirred Larissa’s hair, swirling it around her.
“Apage!”She thrust her hands overhead, and a white glowing orb spread from her fingertips.
Arto tipped his head back and watched it grow, reminding him of the shield she’d projected to protect them from the demons in their realm.
“Wow,” Janie whispered at his side. “She kicks ass.”
He agreed. Roman’s mate had turned out to be a powerful witch who learned more about magic and grew more confident using it each day. The woman before him appeared comfortable with her gifts, so unlike when he’d first met her and she’d appeared shocked by her abilities. If she hadn’t, well, he didn’t want to think about how the outcome might have changed. She’d been critical in defeating the demons and bringing Janie back from the brink of death.
He stepped closer to his mate. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and assure her that everything would be okay—but he couldn’t do that yet, not until they were sure.
Larissa lowered her hands and opened her eyes. “I think it did something.” She trailed her fingers through the air. “I don’t sense that dark energy any longer.
Roman stepped through the space and cocked his head as if assessing. His hard expression softened, and he exhaled with a sharp whoosh. “Well done, my mate,” he praised, his gaze now on her.
“Nobody senses a demon in here, right?” Janie asked, her clipped tone laced with worry.
Larissa raised her hand, slanted her head, and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t detect any indication of one.”
“Right,” Roman agreed. “The dark magic is gone.”
“Agree,” Arto said.
“Larissa, you are freakin’ amazing.” Janie rushed forward and hugged her. “Thank you.”
