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I realized too late I video called Monstera. She took one look at my face and gasped, moments later a portal appeared inches from me all while the call remained connected.

My fated bestie dropped to the floor and collected me into her arms, hugging me tightly it was as if she feared I might come apart at the seams if she didn’t hold me together. She was probably right to worry.

“What happened, Miko?” Mo asked softly into my hair, rubbing my back in slow circles.

I tried to speak through my devastation. “I-I…they…” I growled fisting my hands against her back. “They f-fucking took him, Mo.”

“Hush, Meeks, I got you. Was it the Heechu Hunters?”

Something tugged at the hem of my shirt causing me to peel open an eye and seek the source. Huff limped onto my thigh, then sat heavily, his long ears drooping. “Yes, it was those evil witches,” he answered for me. “They took our Baney and we were too weak to stop them.” Huff sighed, rubbing his closed eye with a tail. “Now, more than half of the Heechus are injured, the library is heavily damaged, and…and…” he sniffled, his eye misting with tears. “The Heechus don’t have portal magic. We don’t know what to do, Witchy.”

“Jesus-motherfuck. I hate those evil bitches. Those assholes deserve to be slapped with a double-ended dildo,” Monstera seethed as she scooped up Huff and brought him into our embrace, squishing him between our cheeks. My heart cracked as he purred quietly, as if trying to self-soothe.

Something within me hardened and I pulled away from them. “Monstera? Open a portal. Right now. I’m going after him.”

Her eyes widened and long with Huff’s. “You can’t go jumping into the unknown. We’re not prepared for this yet.” I opened my mouth to protest, but she silenced me with a look equal parts understanding and commanding. “I’m not saying no. I’m saying, we have to be smart about this. I need a little time to prepare. Plus, I want to help heal the Heechus and the library needs repairing. I think I can add some of my magic to the library’s and give it a boost.”

My shoulders threatened to slump, but I knew she was right. If I went now without a plan, all I would accomplish is getting myself captured, or worse, killed.

Somehow, I don’t think a corpse would make a great mate.

CHAPTER 34

Skeleton Key

MIKO

“Do you have your ducks?” Monstera asked, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded. In my peripheral, I noticed Huff mimicking the action. My lips twitched but I wouldn’t let the smile form. Now was not the time for soft feelings, yet my belly warmed with gratitude that I wouldn’t be alone on this hazardous and most likely deadly venture.

“What about your pills and a spare set of clothes? Water bottle?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm,” Mo tapped her chin. “Oh! Your journal?”

I rolled my eyes and sighed, massaging the spot between my brows. “For fuck’s sake, Monswan. Yes, I have everything. I’ve been ready to leave for two days now.” She grinned, booping me on the nose, causing a frown to twist my exasperated expression. “Bane always does that, too.”

“You’ll get him back,” Mo insisted, squeezing my shoulder.

Gripping the straps of my heavy backpack, I glanced down at Huff where he stood on my shoulder, tails clinging to the base of my fishtail braid. “We’re ready. I’ll take care of our girl, Witchy. Promise.”

My fated bestie smirked. “Fuck-a-unicorn.”

I sputtered with laughter. “Uh, excuse me?”

“Huh?”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you just said, ‘fuck-a-unicorn’.”

“And?”

A smile tore across my face. “Nothing, I suppose. That’s just a new one. We’ll have to add it to your official swear dictionary.” Smooshing my lips to the side, I pretended to think about where I stashed it. “Ah, right. Damn. I haven’t made it yet, but I have every intention of starting a rudimentary list in my journal. You know, as soon as the threat of mortal peril dies down.

“Fucking morbid, Koko. Never change,” Monstera teased, however, her expression hardened. “Before all of that,” she flipped her hand dismissively, “I remembered that I didn’t explain to you why I didn’t veto your journal from the packing list.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “And here I thought you were just being an amazing bestie.”