When Wildcart rolled up to them, a soft, colorful blanket at the bottom of its cargo basket, Titan transferred Jannie to the cart. “Hold her for a moment.”
The cart squeaked its wheels and rocked Jannie back and forth.
Titan grabbed the gun he’d stashed under the service counter for emergencies.
Years ago, he used to skulk around Cartfalls with his brothers, haunting the back alleys to clear out muggers and other shady characters. They had learned to fight by sparring with each other, and every so often, someone in the pack would pounce on him for a surprise tussle. A little too late, Titan realized that they should’ve learned ways to hold their own against magical attacks.
Mathlin raised his bloody finger to Titan again.
Titan leaned back. “Math. I’m serious. Use that on yourself.”
“But—”
Another explosion went off. Then a grating voice filled the air.
“Mathlin. It’s taken me too long to find you. You were so sneaky about hiding yourself.”
Titan growled, his hackles rising.
Mathlin shuddered with revulsion. “He used to poke at my bed while I was sleeping. He didn’t do much more than that, but it creeped me out so much, I had to sleep under the bed.”
“What the fuck,” Titan said, his fingernails shifting into claws. “I’m not going to let him creep on you again.”
“Wait.” Mathlin grabbed Titan and traced another rune onto his forehead.
“Math!” Titan growled when another pulse of magic filled him. The pain in his bicep faded.
“Accelerated healing,” Mathlin panted. He was sweating a little. “I feel like it’s just a matter of time before you’re charging out there.”
Titan growled and grabbed the stack of spell sheets, shoving it at Mathlin. “No more of your magic. Use these.”
Mathlin began to flip through the spells. Before he could get far, movement caught their eye.
A cloaked figure approached Twin Buns, holding a long, gnarled staff like Everdin had described.
Mathlin clutched the spells and breathed out shakily. Titan ground his teeth together. He wanted so badly to get out there and destroy the threat. Make his mate feel safe.
But he also knew that he only had one chance. If he fucked this up, Valberdon would grab Mathlin, and they would be gone before help arrived.
Mathlin picked out a spell and smeared blood across it, pressing it against the counter. “Maybe this will be enough,” he whispered. “Layered spells work better.”
The runes glowed and disappeared into the wood.
For a second, Titan thought maybe Uriel’s defense spells would be enough to tide them through, until help arrived.
Something squeaked. Wheels clattered.
When Titan looked up, he realized he could not see Wildcart anywhere.
“Wildcart?” he called, trying not to raise his voice.
He tracked the sound of Wildcart’s wheels. Only to realize that the cart had gottenoutof Twin Buns somehow, and was nowin the parking lot.
Outside of their protective bubble.
Titan’s stomach dropped. He ran to the nearest window, only to find the cart doing loops behind the bakery. Jannie was clutching its basket and squealing with delight.
“Holy fuck!” Titan lunged for the back door.
