“You guz r bitchez.” I decided shit talking was all I was capable of at that moment. I put my arms out in front of me and let mist pour from my palms. It was raw and undirected magic and I had no idea what I was doing, but it was my only defense.

“Step back!” Sylvia roared from the door. My white magic was met with Sylvia’s advancing white cloud and all four women were thrown hard into the wall.

“Yer such a badass, Sylvia.” I fist pumped as the protection ring lost its heat.

She came closer to me and sniffed. “Witches’ wine? That’s been illegal for decades.” She shook her head in anger, then her eyes rested on the ring. “That probably saved your life. It absorbed all of the dark magic.”

Wha? I tried to stare at the ring but it was blurry. They were throwing dark magic at me? I didn’t even feel it. I should go back and tip that lady.

Sylvia placed an arm around me and dragged me out the door. I heard screaming coming from the entrance to the convention center and saw a commotion. Blinking rapidly, I tried to clear the image and see better.

“Shit.” Sylvia never cussed. “Calm down, Alpha! She’s fine,” Sylvia roared and her voice was magically amplified to the entire hall. She walked me quickly to the front of the dining hall but my feet kept tripping and I fell. Suddenly, Adrian picked me up and jogged me to the front where I could see that the twin warlocks guarding the front door were bloody and unconscious. Kai and Max looked feral, fists bloody and fur rippling along their half-human forms. Kai’s mustache and glasses were long gone. The second Kai saw me in Adrian’s arms he rushed towards me. Adrian sat me down quickly and backed away as I tried to keep my face calm.

Kai pulled me into his arms and took a deep breath. “What’s that smell?” he roared as everyone looked on.

Sylvia had caught up now. “Witches’ wine. It’s illegal. I will take care of the matter. She wasn’t hurt.” Sylvia held his gaze.

Kai’s eyes went yellow, he was breathing deeply, trying to control himself. Horrible timing, but I busted out laughing.

Max couldn’t keep a straight face. “You’re three sheets to the wind,” he declared.

Kai growled, sending witches stumbling backward as he scooped me up and exited the dining hall with Max trailing behind us.

“You smell good,” I told Kai and winked. His face was blank, eyes yellow. We got to the car and I made him put me down. Max reached over and opened my door as I looked over at him. Max. Dirty blond hair, blue eyes, rock-hard build.

“Yer a gud looking guy, Max,” I told him as his eyes widened and his face went red.

“Are you trying to get me killed?” Max looked horrified.

I laughed as the veins bulged in Kai’s neck. “What? Max is gud looking, not as hot as Kai but still.”

“Okay, Aurora, enough.” Kai pushed me into the back seat and I lay down laughing. Man, car seats were so comfy. That was the last thought I had before sleep took me.

Witches’ Wine

I awoke with a headache from hell and all the memories of last night. Shit. My throat was so dry, my head pounded. I squinted against the light filtering through the curtains. Kai wasn’t next to me.

‘Are you awake?’ Kai asked.

‘Shhh … turn it down.’ I grabbed my head.

The door opened and Kai entered with water.

I prepared for the bitchfest that was undoubtedly going to come down on me. Kai spoke softly. “After hours of being completely livid with you, I’ve decided that last night wasn’t your fault, so I’m not mad at you.”

He handed me the water and I squinted as my head pounded, trying to work out what he had just said. No fight? Seriously? Yes!

I sighed. “Thanks,” I whispered. “Can I have some Advil? Like an entire bottle?”

Kai shook his head. “Won’t help. Sylvia said to take a bath in two cups of salt and lavender oil.” He said Sylvia’s name with anger. She probably got the bitchfest.

I sipped some water, letting the cool liquid quench my parched throat. Then I slowly stood and stumbled to the bathroom to draw a bath, tossing the salt and lavender in. The sound of the rushing water was too loud, so I plugged my ears. My thoughts went back to last night. So I got drugged with some illegal spell wine? Bitches. They probably planned the whole thing. What were they going to do to me in that bathroom? I shivered thinking about it. I hadn’t been able to change into my wolf. The thought made my eyes widen. What kind of wine was this?

I eased into the bath and immediately felt some of the head pounding dissipate. I stared in shock as the water became deep purple. The salt was pulling the witches’ wine out of my skin. Whoa. Note to self. Thank Sylvia. I soaked until I felt somewhat normal again and then drained the purple water. Had I called Max hot last night? I smacked my forehead and changed into skinny jeans and a tight tank top. Padding out of the room, I went to find Kai. He was with Max in the backyard working out. Since Jeremy and Alek had taken over the basement, our workouts were limited.

“Feeling better?” Kai stopped doing pushups and stood to greet me.

“Much better,” I told him and turned to Max who was avoiding looking at me. “Max, about last night.” I started to apologize and his hands went up, face red.

“Didn’t happen as far as I am concerned.” He looked nervously at Kai who grinned.

I chuckled. “Okay.” I glanced at my watch. It was midday. Wow, I must have slept eighteen hours.