Harley Merlin 12 by Bella Forrest (story books to read TXT) 📗

with a knife. And I don’t mean the good, sexy kind. Did a djinn put a love spell on you?”

Raffe chuckled. “No, we made our own love spell.”

“Could I borrow Huntress to tear out my throat?” I smirked at Nash.

“Careful what you wish for,” Nash replied, smirking back.

Santana rolled her eyes at me. “He was speaking metaphorically, dumbass. I realize nuance is hard for your tiny mind to grasp. Anyway, we found out that even if the djinn managed to separate from Erebus, it wouldn’t affect the Levi curse. And that got us talking. I made Raffe understand that I want a family with him, even if they’re not biologically related to us. And Kadar and Raffe had a chat and concluded that they don’t mind being together. So, we’re all ready to move forward, accepting that this is our life and our love. And that’s worth everything.”

“It really is.” Raffe kissed Santana tenderly, and I made a well-timed vomiting noise. I didn’t want them thinking I’d turned soft, though I was genuinely happy they’d patched up the holes in their relationship. They were one of the most solid couples of the SDC. If they couldn’t make it, what chance did the rest of us have?

“Before Finch ruins any more of our romantic reaffirmations of enduring love, we’re going home.” Santana kissed Raffe again, undoubtedly to make a point. “Ryann, that means you, as well.”

Ryann grumbled incoherently.

“What’s that?” Santana gave her a stern look.

“I said, whenever you’re ready.” Ryann smiled sweetly, but I sensed her reluctance.

Santana went to the far wall and drew a chalk door. The lines fizzed, and Raffe opened the door for Santana, ever the chivalrous knight, revealing the Alton Waterhouse Room. The happy couple stepped through first, Ryann bringing up the rear. On the threshold, Ryann turned, her gaze resting on me for a fleeting moment. Her brow furrowed. And then she was gone, the door closing behind them.

What did that mean? Maybe nothing. But why did she stop and look at me? She hadn’t glanced at anyone else. Women would never make sense to me, but that momentary look was enough to make me wonder…

I turned to look at Melody. “Melody, Melody, Melody, could you tell me—”

“I’m not telling you what she had going on in her head,” she interrupted. “I’m learning to be quieter about people’s personal feelings.”

I pretended to huff. “Not even a tiny morsel?”

“Nope.”

Of all the times to get Empath-shy, why’d it have to be now? I’d have given anything to find out what was in Ryann’s mind. I was about to press Melody, putting on my Finch charm, when Mary Foster emerged through the wall and floated toward me.

“This is all exceedingly exciting,” she cried. “I did not care for that rude fellow’s brusque tone through those bulbous contraptions up there, but it made for a most rousing scene. And if you do happen to die, Finch, you will always be welcome here.”

My stomach churned. “Uh… thanks, Miss Foster. Good to know.”

“So, what is next on your thrilling agenda?” Mary bobbed eagerly, hands clasped.

I went to the tin box on the table and closed the lid. “I take these to Erebus and see where it leads us.”

“And what about ensuring your survival?” Melody leaned against the table. “Davin escaped by allying himself with a djinn, right? Perhaps you can do the same, without the Necromancy aspect.”

“You mean, without the key ingredient?” I sighed heavily. “Death is the only end to Erebus’s service. And if I can’t resurrect myself, then I’d just be… well, dead. But maybe you’re right—maybe I can get a different amulet that’ll keep me off Erebus’s radar. Or I’ll go after Davin and give it the old college try, see if the mojo transfers to us non-Necromancers.”

Melody nodded effusively. “You’d only need one resurrection. Perhaps it can grant you that, even if it’s not normally one of your skills.”

“Sounds like your best chance,” Luke chimed in.

I puffed air out of my lips. “Maybe…”

“We’ll get it from that devil. You mark my words.” Nash grinned, his eyes shining. “And when we’ve wrung him dry, I look forward to ending him, for everything he’s done to me. Let the hunter become the hunted for once. But don’t go thinking Davin will give anything away for free. It’ll cost us.”

“Believe me, I know that much,” I replied.

Nash chuckled. “That said, I have no problem helping you torture that scumbag for whatever he’s got. In case you were wondering, I will be coming with you. I’m not missing this opportunity for anything.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to.” I paused, my determination growing. “We’ll find a way to make him squeal like the mucky old pig he is.”

While revenge on Davin would have to wait, Erebus couldn’t. Wasting no time, I whipped out my phone and sent him a text:

I have the blood.

Short and to the point. Still, I’d never get used to sending a Child of Chaos a text of any kind. It was like sending the Queen of England a quick: u ok hon?

My phone pinged almost immediately.

Where?

Huh… That was odd. Gone were the autocorrect nightmares of his usual letter-esque endeavors into the digital world. Just a one-sentence text, no “Dear Flinch” in sight. San Jose, I texted back.

Another ping made my heart race, though not in the nice way. Meet me in the industrial park immediately. Same place as before.

“What’s got you so rattled?” Nash peered at me from across the table. I hadn’t realized I was rattled, but now that he pointed it out… he was right. Erebus’s uncharacteristic texting made me nervous about the mood I might find him in. He should’ve been jumping for joy. Not that Erebus would ever do that, but figuratively, at least. And those brief responses weren’t the hallmark of an ecstatic Child of Chaos.

“Erebus.” I nodded to the tin box. “I have to deliver this.”

Nash snorted. “He texts now?”

“Oh yeah. He’s getting more human by the day. You just wait until