Page 72
I sat up, energy zooming through my body as I hugged Monstera tightly. “Are you okay?”
She laughed, holding me at arm’s length. “You’re asking me that question? Really? I’m not the one who almost bled out.”
My face formed into a glower, and I flicked my eyes to the body two sailors heaved overboard. “Yes.”
She waved a hand as if dismissing my concerns. “Death is nothing new to me. I’m fine,” Mo replied brightly, greatly contrasting her dark words.
I shook my head, allowing a smirk to form. “You really are, aren’t you?” Rising to my feet, I pulled Monstera with me. “I feel amazing.”
She snickered, covering her mouth. “Magic will do that.”
“Can we go now? If you’re a witch, can you make portals?”
Mo grinned and nodded. “Not every witch can make portals, but luckily it’s actually one of my specialties.”
“Wait,” a gruff, hoarse voice called, drawing our attention to the naked shifter. “You’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
Mo’s head tilted as she moved closer. “You’re not an average animal shifter are you,” she said, her tone implying it wasn’t a question.
“No.”
My fated bestie grinned, clapping her hands. “Oh, we have to chat! I want to hear about all of the animals and other things you can turn into. This is fucking wonderful.”
He smirked despite the pain pinching his bearded face. “The name’s Grimnyr, and I’d love to, but it’ll have to be another time.”
I raised a brow, watching as invisible hands pinned the shifter’s arms to his sides, causing his to grunt and shoot Nixie a glare.
She scoffed, tucking a whisp of blonde hair behind her pointed ear. “Keep squirming like shark bait on a hook if you want your innards healed improperly,” Nixie scolded.
He winced. “Yes, ma’am.” With his next, steadier inhale, his curiously sunset-pink eyes bounced to mine. “You’re being hunted.”
I rolled my eyes, folding my arms over my chest, then spoke in a flat tone, “Am I?”
Grimnyr’s lips pressed together. “This is serious.”
“I’m aware.”
“I assure you, it’s much worse than you think.”
“So, enlighten me.”
A low growl issues from him as his eyes glowed an eerie blue. “The Heechu Hunters developed a curse so powerful it allows them to have complete control over those spelled with it. Once cursed, they can make you do or say anything while they use the body as whatever they choose. Bodyguard, shield, practice dummy…”
Monstera smoothed a hand over his tangled, dirty hair. “How long have you been cursed? I bet if Nixie and I work together, we can reverse it.” She turned, raising a brow at the faye female.”
The faye woman sighed. “Might as well, he’s healed enough that his body can do the rest.”
Grimnyr closed his eyes, his teeth bared as Monstera and Nixie laced their hands over his heart, their respective aqua and gold magic swirling together. “I was stuck in wolf form for over a year.” His back arched off the deck, but he continued through gritted teeth. “They plan to do the same to you, Miko.”
My heart squeezed painfully. “How can I be a threat to their coven? I’m human.”
“It’s not about you being a threat, it’s who and what you have free access too.”
Oh, fuck no.
He dipped his chin once in acknowledgement, eyelids flinging open. “They will use you to, I’m paraphrasing, send the Heechus and their stone guardian to the afterworld where they should’ve been eons ago.”
I straightened my shoulders, shoving my conflicting feelings for Bane deep within me, and looked at Monstera. There were more important things than my emotional state. “We have to warn them,” I said to Mo.
