1

Danica

The sun was out, the birds were chirping, and I could barely control my rage.

“What do you mean you sold it?”

Gary gave me an impatient look. “You missed out. Someone else wanted it more. They outbid you.”

I kept my voice low as I leaned against the counter. Deep, beneath my failing shields, my power roiled, dark and deadly.

“You said no one used black monkshood.”

“Yeah. It was weird. Someone bought my entire stock. I was chatting to Merrill and he said someone bought his as well.”

“That’s fucking great.”

“It’s not personal. It’s business.”

Gary stood straighter on his stool in front of the counter, squaring his shoulders as I took a deep breath. Adult gnomes were between four and five feet tall, and Gary was too proud to lower the counter to his own height so his customers would have to bend.

Power seethed around my body. For the first time, true fear crossed Gary’s face. Then it hardened. “Watch yourself, Danica.”

I shuddered, fighting for control. Someone had placed a suppression spell on my power when I was a kid, and now that it was slowly crumbling, my power tended to spark with strong emotion.

A few weeks ago, two of my marks were killed in front of me. Both held information about my mother’s killer, and both were killed by arrows which shouldn’t have taken down a lesser demon—let alone a high demon. When I’d asked Cara to investigate just what made the arrows so special, she’d told me to purchase black monkshood. Apparently, it could be used in a spell to discover if the arrows contained a poison found in any of the realms.

Unfortunately, black monkshood only grew in the middleground– the mysterious, dangerous realm that had long been home to those fleeing other worlds. I’d called Gary the moment I learned what I needed, and a few hours later, someone had beat me to it.

“How much did they pay, Gary? You didn’t even give me the opportunity to outbid them.”

He sniffed. “You couldn’t have outbid them. They had deep pockets.”

That made it worse. If someone had bought up all the black monkshood hours before I could, they’d done it because they knew I was onto something. Or they wanted me to think I was onto something. Whoever had fired those bolts into the demons I was questioning had prevented me from learning who had killed my mother. And now they were covering their tracks.

All because Gary was incapable of keeping his word.

“I trusted you,” I hissed.

More magic leaked from me. The store was darkening. Maybe if I pulled the gnome’s head from his shoulders, he’d think twice before double-crossing me.

No, Danica, then he won’t be able to think at all.

Gary thinned his lips and I snarled. “Who were they?”

“I don’t know. I’d offer you security footage, but that camera doesn’t work.”

My shield cracked. Power began to slide from me as I trembled, blind with fury. He had promised. Promised he wouldn’t sell it. He had dared lie to me.

“Daddy I’m scared!”

Gary had two kids. Young boys who constantly caused havoc. Last time I was here, I’d played hide and seek with them.

Now, Ziprick was clutching his dad’s leg, staring at me like I was a monster. His brother scampered close, practically climbing up his dad’s leg as he stared at me, white-faced. I glanced around at the thick, dark purple power that had leaked from me, filling the store like smoke.

I was a monster.

Gary held Ziprick to him, glowering at me. “Get out.”

Words escaped me. My throat ached and my power disappeared back beneath my shield as if it’d never been there.

Oh, how I wished it had never been there. I stumbled to the gutter outside Gary’s store and heaved, bile creeping up my throat as tears pricked my eyes.

I’d been excited to chip away at the suppression spell when I found out about it. After rejecting the tiny ember of power I’d had my entire life, I’d thought I could finally use my power to keep myself safe.

Instead, it constantly slipped through when it was least convenient. Samael’s words ran through my mind on a loop. “That suppression spell would’ve crumbled eventually. Likely at the most inconvenient time possible. And you would’ve been all alone, with no idea what was happening to you, and no way to regain control. Your magic flares with great emotion. Who brings that emotion out in you, hmm?”

I hated that he was right. And I lived in terror that I’d invertedly use my power on my sister. I needed help. But the world would burn before I’d voluntarily ask Samael for it.

Every time I thought about the demon, I had to restrain the urge to go to him. Some days, it was because I dreamed of stabbing him in the gut and watching him bleed out. Other days, it was because I longed for the feeling of safety I’d briefly had in his arms.

I was losing it. And I needed to head to the Mage Council to file the paperwork for my last bounty. I glanced back at Gary’s store and my chest clenched. The look on his face. The terror in his kids’ eyes. If this was what my power did, I didn’t want it.

Straightening my shoulders, I turned and began walking toward the Mage Council. The Durham Mage Council Facility was two blocks away, in what was once the Durham County Human Services building. The building had been more pleasing to the eye when it was owned by the government. The Mage Council took paranoia to a whole new level, and now it was thick gray stone and small windows with bars on them. The thought of working inside the facility all day made me shudder.

The facility was quiet. A group of mages and bounty hunters had been sent to Raleigh, where someone had decided to wake up a troll. The troll had already done a couple million dollars of damage, and since the unseelie king hadn’t sent anyone to kill the troll, it was now the Mage Council’s job.

I signed in and made my way to the check-in counter.

My bounty had been a banshee who’d decided to torment her neighbor after they had an argument about the length of her grass. She’d spent the next week screaming and wailing all night, every night. Her screams created blind terror in anyone who heard them, and there had been a spate of car accidents on her street.

I’d shoved ear plugs deep into my ears and given her a look that told her that today was not the day. She’d received a hefty fine from the Mage Council, but from the look of retribution on her face, her neighbor was likely to regret reporting her. I had a feeling I’d be seeing her again.

I waited until the mage finished with the bounty hunter in front of me, and handed over my paperwork, receiving three hundred dollars in return. Then I took the elevator to the fifth floor where I hovered in front of Charles, waiting for my next job.

The mage raised one eyebrow as he skimmed his screen. “Says here you’re on leave.”

“Excuse me?”

“Yeah. No jobs for you.”

“I’m not on leave. I brought a bounty in earlier today.” I spoke with the exaggerated patience of a woman who was struggling not to lose her shit.

Charles shrugged and shifted his gaze behind me at where a line was forming. “Take it up with Albert.”

“You bet your ass I will.”

Albert worked on the ninth floor. I stalked toward his office, noting his receptionist was nowhere to be seen. It was eight pm, and she’d probably gone home. Good. I kept walking, knocked once, and opened the door.

The most powerful mage in North Carolina was standing in front of a large closet, the door open. Inside the closet was what looked like an old trunk. The trunk was open, but all I could see was a grey blanket covering whatever treasures he had hidden away. My curiosity was officially piqued.

Albert ruled his mages with an iron fist, and he occasionally liked to confiscate weapons and spells he didn’t approve of. If they were deemed to potentially be dangerous to a human bystander, they ended up in his office.

As a contractor, my weapons had always been safe. But I bet if I could peer inside that trunk, I’d find plenty of goodies from his mages.

Albert slammed the lid down on the trunk, threw a dark cloak over it, and closed the door. Then he turned to me, red slowly creeping up his cheeks. I’d pissed off the man who would decide whether I could pay my rent. Awesome.

“Sorry, Albert,” I smiled sunnily. “Your receptionist wasn’t around so I figured you’d have a few moments free.”

He stared at me, his eyes piercing. “Take a seat.”

I did, but my mind was on the trunk. What was in it? Why would Albert be so worried about me seeing inside it?

“Charles just told me he couldn’t give me my next bounty. Apparently, I’m on leave.”

Albert sat behind his desk, his face still red. “I think we’re both well aware of why that is.”

“Why don’t you spell it out for me?” I’d never liked Albert, but up until now, I’d respected him. I had a feeling that was about to change.

“The recording, Danica.”

My hands wanted to fist, but I forced them to lay on my lap. Four weeks ago, Samael had been betrayed by a demon he’d trusted for centuries. A coven of insane witches had planned to kill him. They wouldn’t have stood a chance against a high demon, except that they’d been harnessing power from each demon they’d killed. After Samael had been betrayed and taken unaware, they’d clamped him into Naud Chains.

I hadn’t forgotten that those chains were only accessible by the Mage Council.

One of the witches had been recording the entire exchange. She’d died when Samael turned the coven to ash, but her phone had continued to capture the video, and Vas had missed it when he’d searched for any tech. That recording had fallen into the hands of the Mage Council. Samael had assured me that Albert would be keeping the recording locked up and hidden from prying eyes.

But obviously I would still be dealing with the consequences.

“I saved Durham– and the world– from a coven of witches who were about to be bloated with demon power. You’re welcome.”

“You saved the most powerful demon in this country from certain death.”

I gave him squinty eyes. “Samael was approximately three seconds away from saving himself. The power he had gathered was… indescribable.”

“Regardless, I found it necessary to take the recording to the other members of the council.”

Oh yeah, this was bad.

“And?”

“And saving a demon from humans is not in your job description.”

“Those humans would have killed you. You realize that, right? They wouldn’t have stopped at the demons.”

“Regardless.”

“So, what, because I dared save Samael’s life, I’m now fired?”

“No. You’re on temporary leave while the council conducts a review. You’ll be notified of the council’s decision once the review is complete.”

I stared at him. We both knew I was fired. This was just his way of keeping it clean.

“This is horseshit.”

Albert’s gaze dropped to my arm, and he stared at the intricate gold design for a long moment. It was too damn hot to wear a long-sleeved shirt today, and half of Durham already knew I was bonded to Samael. But I still had to resist the urge to cover it up.

“You had the opportunity to break that bond. If Samael had died, we would be having a different discussion.”

I’d known the consequences when I made my decision. I’d known damn well that I could’ve broken the bond and continued with my life. Except that if I had, we’d now be dealing with thirty insane witches who suddenly had an infinite well of power. I’d make the same decision again. But the fact that there was still a recording of that decision meant I was screwed.

I wasn’t getting anywhere with Albert. It was obvious what would happen next. The review would find that I was a liability to the Mage Council. My days of working here were numbered.

I was surprised they hadn’t already taken away my access to the facility itself. I was guessing they would wait until the review was completed. The council liked to do everything by the book.

My power pressed against my shield, and I envisioned a thick steel door, ruthlessly holding it back. I wouldn’t let Albert see how much I cared.

“My record speaks for itself,” I said. “You’ve made the wrong choice here.”

His expression was carefully neutral. “You’re entitled to think that.”

I shook my head, got to my feet, and stalked out of his office.

It was as if I was sleepwalking as I made my way back into the elevator and down to the lobby. Working for the Mage Council hadn’t been my life’s dream, but it had allowed me to interrogate paranormals who might’ve seen my mom before she died. And, it had allowed me to pay my bills.

Panic climbed up my throat. I had a few weeks of living expenses saved, but that was it. I needed to find a new job. Fast.

My phone vibrated and I fumbled for it, almost dropping it as I pulled it out of my pocket.

I’m here, at a table near the back.

My sister. Shit. Luckily Meredith’s was a four-minute drive from the Mage Council.

On my way.

* * *

Samael

“The grimoire is authentic.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you sure?”

Gloria, the witch I kept on retainer, sniffed in obvious offense. “You have your areas of expertise, demon. And I have my own. This is one of Cyprianus’s Black Books.”

Satisfaction roared through me. Cyprianus was a demon who enraged Lucifer, challenging him for power several centuries ago. Lucifer had ensured he was captured and forced through the closest portal. He hadn’t known where the portal led to, and he hadn’t cared. Unfortunately, for the humans in this world, Cyprianus had arrived, incensed, and determined to make Lucifer pay.

Cyprianus wrote nine Books of the Black Arts. When Lucifer learned what he was doing, he sent his best assassins to find him and kill him. They succeeded, but not before Cyprianus distributed the books amongst humans who had the most power, with the hope that they would one day be able to access that power and take down Lucifer himself.

The coven of witches who managed to wake the demigod and open the portals seventy years ago had used one of the Black Books to do it.

The grimoire in my hand would be added to my collection. I had six of them, with just three more to go.

“You allowed yourself to be taken by the witches so you could get your hands on this book,” Gloria let out a hoarse laugh.

I gave her a slow smile. “Did I?”

She laughed some more, and I turned, taking the grimoire with me as I stepped onto the balcony. I launched into the air, rising to my penthouse, where I landed and tucked the grimoire away in my personal safe.

My thoughts turned to Danica. While she likely hoped otherwise, I hadn’t grown bored and decided to allow her complete freedom.

To deal with the little witch, I had to tamp down all my instincts to dominate. The instincts that made me want to make her beg for me. I had to continually remind myself that if she were the type of woman to submit, I wouldn’t be half as interested. Her commitment to disobedience and determination to buck any and all authority both frustrated and intrigued me.

Centuries of existence had taught me patience.

That patience wasn’t infinite, but I had enough time to allow Danica the illusion of freedom while I aligned all the chess pieces on my board. And then she would be mine.

2

Danica

It had been four weeks since my sister agreed to have that first drink with me. Now, we met at Meredith’s once a week, exchanging pleasantries and tiptoeing around the subject of our childhood. We were both trying.

But we had a long way to go.

I found it difficult to move past the fact that my sister had never gotten in touch— even after I visited to tell her mom’s death hadn’t been an accident.

And Evie? She couldn’t forgive me for not fighting harder to stay. For not running away from Austin and coming back to her. For staying away for so long.

“Sorry I’m late.” I slipped into a chair and Evie glanced up from her phone. She had a wicked smile on her face, and I raised one eyebrow. “What’s that look for?”

“This guy I’ve been seeing–” she frowned. “What’s wrong, Dani?”

At least she was calling me Dani again. That was progress.

“Nothing,” I attempted a smile, and my sister simply raised one eyebrow, glancing away. Her gaze landed on a group of werewolves who were taking shots at the bar. One of them tipped his head back and recognition swept through me. Matt. I’d met him when I interviewed his alpha a month ago. He was looking better than he had that day, but I had a feeling Nathaniel wouldn’t be pleased to learn that such a recently turned werewolf was drinking.

Meredith’s was a squat, brick building with a small outdoor area that was rarely used. Wobbly stools lined the beaten-up bar, the floors were scuffed and chipped, and the lights were dim. It was one of my favorite places in Durham.

I turned back to Evie. Silence stretched between us. I didn’t want to admit what was bothering me, but she had a right to know what was going on.

“I terrified a couple of kids today.” The words tasted like ash.

Evie’s face creased. “What do you mean?”

I took a deep breath. It was time to tell her the truth. “It turns out my father wasn’t human. Or mage. Do you remember that dark fae guy who was hanging around mom for a few years before we left?”

Evie’s eyes flashed at the reminder, but she put it away, frowning as she took a sip of her rum and coke.

“I don’t think so.”

“You were probably too young. Anyway, I think he might have been my father. My power is dark. Likely unseelie. Someone put a suppression spell on me when I was a kid.”

Evie gaped at me, her eyes wide. I almost laughed. She looked like a Disney princess who had just learned that the birds who helped her get dressed every morning were dead.

My sister took after my mom. Huge, aquamarine eyes, thick, glossy blonde hair, perfect skin, and curves in all the right places. When we’d taken family photos, I’d always felt like the odd one out with my dark hair and petite frame. Now I knew why.

“But suppression spells are only for witches who’ve been sentenced by the High Coven.”

“Yeah. Except they weren’t suppressing witch magic.” The magic I’d inherited from my mom was a trickle at best. “It was unseelie power.”

Evie tilted her head. “So, you’re like, uber powerful now?”

She kept her voice light, and I attempted a smile. “I don’t know how powerful. Ever since I worked that case for the demons…” both of our gazes dropped to the gold mark on my arm, and I ground my teeth.

“The suppression spell has been wearing away?”

I nodded. “Apparently these types of spells are usually reinforced every few years.”

“What has this got to do with the kids?”

Bile crept up my throat at the reminder of Gary’s kids. Their little faces, such a pale gray they were almost white.

“When I get… upset, I have a hard time controlling my power.”

Evie’s gaze turned knowing. I’d scared the shit out of her the first time I lost control of my power, holding a witch in place, and forcing her to answer my questions.

She cleared her throat. “You did that to the kids?”

“God no. But I threatened Gary– their father. In front of them. My power leaked out of me and rattled the roof. They were terrified.”

“You didn’t hurt anyone?” her voice was very careful.

“No. But I could’ve. I’m telling you now, so you know. If I ever lose control, run.”

“You won’t hurt me.”

“I may not know what I’m doing,” I warned her. I needed her to take this seriously. “This suppression spell… it hid my power from me all these years, and whenever a piece of the spell crumbles, my power overtakes me. It usually happens when I’m enraged, and it boosts my anger into a new stratosphere. It’s like my power is a river and I’m caught in the currents without a life jacket. Anyone close to me is at risk.”

“You won’t hurt me,” she said again. I sighed, and she gave the hint of a smile. Evie had always been able to out-stubborn anyone. Even me. “What are you going to do about it?”

I signaled for another round, and across the room, Mere caught my eye with a nod. “I’m going to find someone who can reinforce the suppression spell.”

She gaped at me. “What?”

“I don’t need this power. I don’t want it. It was helpful when I was working with the demons and being targeted by those crazy witches, but that’s done now.”

“If you have access to that amount of power, it can keep you safe.”

“Not at the expense of everyone around me.”

“I think you give yourself too little credit. Why don’t you find someone who can help you learn to control it?”

Samael’s face flashed in front of my eyes, and I closed them in a bid to make it disappear. It didn’t. When I opened my eyes, my sister was smirking at me.

“You were thinking about him, weren’t you?”

“Samael can’t be trusted.”

The Story Continues on BooksBarbecue!

Enjoyed this preview? ❤️ Do not stop here!

Read the complete book free online → 🔗

Continue reading now on BooksBarbecue and discover every page!

Love reading? Bookmark BooksBarbecue.com for more amazing books!

Happy Reading!