The magic was powerful. He could taste it in the air. Sparks lingered on his tongue.
When Nash touched the doorknob, the magic sizzled. He wanted to recoil the way Abi had. Tuck himself away and then run as fast as he could.
The magic was all for Nash.
Nash’s heart rate increased. He held his breath when the doorknob turned on its own.
He hadn’t used magic at the fighting arena. This is insanely strong.Yeah, Abi had a point.
Mallor hadn’t wanted them to know how strong a warlock he was. Maybe subduing Nash to get to Abi was his plan all along. Or maybe he wanted both of them.
Eshan can help. He’s like a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.Abi’s family might be notorious, but Nash already loved them.
It'll take Eshan a bit to get there, but he’s on his way.And thank the gods, Spider was still in his head.
I smell blood, Nash.
Nash cursed.How long for your guy to get here?
Ten minutes tops.
Abi must have known what Nash intended to do.We should wait for Eshan, Nash.
Nash might have a shitty sense of smell, but he had excellent hearing. He could hear whimpering on the other side of the door.
We’re going in.
Abi cursed.I hope you know what you’re doing.
Nash hoped he did too, but he had a feeling the shitshow was about to start.
Nash turned the knob and pushed the door open.
Mallor sat on a leather couch. His suit jacket lay on the arm of the couch next to him. He had unbuttoned his blue shirt past his pecs.
A naked man with blood covering his body lay in the fetal position next to him. The man shook. He cried when Mallor touched his ankle. The shaking grew in intensity.
Mallor smiled when his gaze met Nash’s. “I knew who you were the second the arena went up in flames. You’re the boy who got away. Why did you come back to me, Nash Drake?”
The magic held Nash in place, making it impossible to move.
The next ten minutes would be the longest of his life.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Abi kept himself hidden under Nash’s shirt. He tried to stay still so Mallor wouldn’t see the movement under Nash’s clothing. Nash wore a loose shirt on purpose just so Abi could have a little freedom to shift into whatever he wanted.
Mallor smelled of sulfur. His magic smelled dark and smoky. But it was the blood that took center stage. It belonged to a wolf shifter. It smelled metallic and like pine, as if the poor guy had died in the forest. But the wolf wasn’t dead. Abi could hear his heartbeat. He could taste the wolf’s fear on his forked tongue.
Nash stiffened. It took Abi a moment to understand he couldn’t move.
Abi could, though.
Try shifting something—your hands or eyes.
Abi moved his head against Nash’s skin to prove he still had the ability.
Nash lost some tension, although not all of it. He remained still, wanting to keep Mallor thinking he still had the upper hand, mostlikely.Thank you, baby. Do you think you can work your way to Mallor without being detected?
