It was when we reached the third chapter of Rowena’s book that Cordelia’s knowledge came into play. The chapter on sigils and their unique brand of magic was one of the longest in the book.“Sigil’s tie into the other forms of magic since there’s a symbol for just about everything. There are ones to scare off enemies, capture memories and fool the human eye. There are a few witches, who after decades of practice, manage to create their own but it’s dangerous and tricky work.” Cordelia said as she entered the room, a small and unassuming book in her hand.“So, a sigil that’s meant to shield someone from an enemy has protection magic mixed in with it?” Breyona questioned. She’d deny it vehemently, but it was clear she got her love of magic and myths from her scholarly parents.“For the most part, yes. Let’s say you’re exceptional with sigils. You should be able to use ones that var

Asher made himself scarce for the rest of the night per Breyona’s orders. Zeke stopped by half an hour after our conversation about the past and stole him from the front step after promising no alcohol or half-naked women. He made sure to clarify that meant for Asher and not himself before peeling off into the night.‘Wait till he finds out instead of a kegger, we’re teaming up with tonight’s patrol.’ Asher’s voice was amused as it rumbled in my head, each syllable an aftershock that made goosebumps lift along my arms.‘You’re going to ruin his entire night.’ I bit back my laughter as the doorbell rang and both Cassidy and Breyona’s cheerful faces played on the security camera. ‘I have to go now; the girls are here. Maybe give a little and let the poor Alpha have a beer, he’s been working hard since Carson’s death.’I couldn’t make out Asher’s reply because I’d

“Oh, these are good.” Cassidy’s moan sounded from the kitchen, followed by Breyona’s laughter.I squinted against the early morning sun that peered through the curtains and padded down the hall, catching snippets of their conversation the closer I neared.“Aren’t they? You don’t know him, but the recipe belongs to a grumpy vamp named Tristan. It took me days to figure out how to make them since he’d always grumble when I asked.” The sizzle of something cooking in a pan followed Breyona’s soprano and filled the air with something both sweet and savory.“Tristan knows how to cook?” I asked skeptically, leaning against the door jamb as both she-wolves spotted me lurking.Cassidy was perched on one of the island stools eating a bowl of oatmeal and nibbling on a rolled-up pancake, her strawberry blonde hair a halo around her shoulders.“Oh, he does. Gio was complainin

On the bright side, Asher was no longer snarling and frothing out the mouth. The only caveat was that my fickle magic hadn’t taken away the rest of his anger, because without an explanation or apology, he turned around and grabbed Clint by the shirt a second time.The battered but slowly healing Judge was thrown to his knees just a few feet in front of me. Even though his face was a mottled and swollen mass of flesh, he managed to hold onto the air of superiority that clung to him. Its strength surpassed that of the scent of blood, and was stronger than the expensive cologne he wore, that even now I could smell.“Apologize to your Luna.”When Asher spoke his voice resembled the endless pit I had seen in his eyes, the very one I somehow chased away using magic. His hair wasn’t even disheveled from the fight—his heart rate barely elevated. His spine was made of pure steel, as rigid and unbreakable as his stance.Clint Armstrong

Hours later I could still hear his roar in my ears, trickling down my spine in wave after wave of crippling pleasure. His face was painted in my head, eyes black with need and jaw carved from stone even though the promises he whispered were soft and sweet. It played in the background of my mind and along the swollen, tender bits of my skin as Rowena’s delicate voice threaded words together in small notes of conversation. “I’m not sensing any magic attached to him.” She said with an encroaching frown, her lips painted in a new shade of lipstick—one with a nude undertone that reminded me of a caramel latte. Her dainty hands moved swiftly, weaving around one another in a graceful dance that was made mysterious by the jade glow they emitted. A scowl coated Asher’s face in harsh lines and angles when she dropped them abruptly. “…just a great deal of stress, and quite a bit of anger.” As I thought he would, Asher stood from the leather chair the moment a wilting note of sy