“Doesn’t matter. Can you get him down from the ceiling?” I nod and flick my wrist, sending Otto to the floor. The weight of his body breaking even more floorboards. I don’t think insurance is going to cover this mess. He’s stunned enough that Dax is able to straddle him, his hands shaking as he grits his teeth and pries his mouth open with his powerful fists. “Blair, grab the scroll.” I can tell that Dax is mustering every ounce of strength he has to hold his mouth open. Otto hits Dax’s side, and he winces, but continues to hold his jaw firmly.

I feel like I might fall over, but I wobble over to where Dax has him pinned, and I grab the scroll poking out from his cakey mouth. As soon as I have it free, Dax lets go of Otto, a small flame appearing from Dax’s fingertips as I open the scroll and read the name before Dax lights it on fire.

As soon as the scroll is lit aflame, Otto turns to dust beneath Dax’s body, making his knees land on the hardwood.

I fall hard on the ground next to him, my legs hurt, I feel sick. I want to crawl into a hole and sleep for five days. Dax’s muscular arms are wrapped around me quickly. Shushing sounds are made into my dark hair as I feel him pick me up and cradle me to his chest.

“You need to get some rest, some blood, too. I’m going to take you home, sweet girl. Daddy is going to take care of you.”

“No one ever takes care of me.” It’s like word vomit as I look up at his green eyes.

“Now someone does. This might make you feel more nauseous. But I promise you’ll be okay.”

“Wha—”

It’s like I’m sucked into a vacuum and my body shifts within itself or is shaken like a paint can as a loud pop cracks through my ears. We’re instantaneously in front of my house. Dax puts me down on the grass as I empty the contents of my stomach. His large hand rubs soothing circles on my back.

“Get it all out, babe. You’re all right. I’m going to take care of you. You did so good for your first portal. And the way you handled that golem. I’m so proud of you.”

I groan as nothing else is coming out of my stomach and Dax picks me up again, my head lolling backward. I want to sleep.

He jostles me slightly. “Stay awake for me, pet. Need to check you out before you go to sleep.”

I blink up at him and hear my cousin’s screech from the porch. “What happened to her!”

My cousin’s soft, small hands feel different from Dax’s. “That big bald fucker attacked her at Hex. He was a golem.”