Page 46 of Enchanting Her Monsters
“But how do wefigure it outwithout hurting someone?” I demand, snapping out of my paralysis.
“I’m here,” Darius reminds me. “I can help you return a soul to its body if you start to pull it out.”
“But what if I’m siphoning their life force?” I throw my arms in the air, ready to walk away and never use my magic again.
“I will see that and immediately alert you to stop.” Darius steps closer. His hellhound nature is right on the surface. His skin is dark gray like charcoal with cracks that reveal lava like fire underneath his fur. His flaming eyes narrow in on me.
I gulp, but somehow stand my ground.
“All you need to do is do what you did before, and I will identify your ability. You need to know, so you then can use it properly. And I’d like to go about the rest of the day.”
I wonder what the rest of his day might look like, but I’m pretty sure it has something to do with his mate. I get it. I’d enjoy being with my mates, too.
“Okay. I’ll try.”
I shake out my shoulders, and Darius steps back to give me space again.
“Target me.” Maxum turns me to face him.
“Why you?” I ask.
“Because I’m more akin to Darius.”
I hear an omission in his tone. He doesn’t want me to yank on one of my bonded mates, or further injure Calder. That only makes me more nervous since he expects shit to go wrong. I tilt my head back and stare at the blue sky, trying my best to keep my wits about me. This is no time to lose it.
Recalling how I felt when I tugged on their souls, I focus on bringing Maxum closer, needing him. Wanting him to be part of me.
Energy swells around me, and I give him a tug.
Maxum lurches forward.
Darius barks, “Release him!”
I let go of the thought and energy. I fall backward, expecting to land hard on my ass. But Flint has me around my waist and keeps me upright.
“Well?” I demand.
“You’re a soul sucker.”
I choke out a laugh. “Well, I’ve been called a lot of horrible things, and that actuallyisone of them,” I joke. I have to make light of this, otherwise I might collapse into tears. I don’t want this kind of power. I could hurt my guys.
“It’s not a bad thing. I have this magic,” Darius explains.
“She’s worried about hurting us,” Flint says, likely reading my mind through our bond.
“Now you know what it is. You can control it.” Darius shakes his head, confused. “I don’t see what the problem is.”
This guy has the emotional intelligence of a brick.
“Remember, she’s new to magic,” Amira says. “Not all of us want the responsibility over life and death.” There’s a heaviness to her words. She’s had to make that decision in the past and regrets it.
“Hmm.” Darius eyes me. “Doesn’t matter if you like it. That’s what it is.”
I huff at his dismissive behavior. But what do I expect? “Fine. Tell me what I can do to make sure I don’t hurt an innocent.”
“I don’t recommend calling their souls to you,” he states simply.
“No shit.” I grump.
