Kalix shoots to his feet.
“What the fuck!” His voice cuts through the room. His gaze immediately snaps to Millicent.
I hear his chair scrape, feeling the shift in the wind as he moves toward her.
I’m still shaking off the last remnants of her hold. Her power coils around my body like an anaconda, tightening until my nerves fire off erratically. My muscles jerk beneath her influence.
She does have some bite to her.
I’m done with this performance.
My mind recoils from her grasp, and in a single breath, I shatter the connection and break free from the tangles of her web. My consciousness snaps back into place, and my magic settles inside me once more.
I roll my neck and shoulders, stretching out the last of the tension as I sit up. I keep my expression blank.
If she’s expecting fear, awe, or even grudging respect, she won’t get it. And that’s what annoys me.
Not seeing her disappointed reaction frustrates me more than the struggle. Irritation gives way to curiosity and then amusement.
Iris is wrapped around Kalix’s legs like a damn koala, half-seated on the floor, arms and legs locked around him in an effort to keep him from lunging.
Felix chuckles, finally pushing to his feet. His crown tilts slightly from how long he’s been lounging.
“Well, I am now too drunk for this circus of idiots.”
His heated red cheeks betray the effects of an emptied wine bottle.
“Can we not assault one another?” He sweeps a look around the room like a disappointed father addressing his unruly children.
“The bitch started it!” Kalix sneers, jabbing a finger at Millicent.
Iris pinches his leg, hard.
“Ow.You little—”
Kalix hisses, glaring down at her.
Annoyed with her antics, he reaches down, yanking her off his legs with ease. She lets out a string of expletives, thrashing in his grip, but he hauls her over his broad shoulder like she weighs nothing.
“Kalix, put me down!”
Her roar is fierce, except it sounds more like an angry lion cub challenging the alpha of the pack.
Kalix’s hand comes down in a sharpsmackagainst her rear.
“Adults are talking, Rainbow.”
Iris lets out a startled squeak, freezing for half a second before resuming her flailing.
Eventually, she gives up, pouting like a child as she pushes, propping herself up on his back, chin resting on his shoulder. She waves lazily at the rest of us.
“Well, goodnight, guys! Millicent, come by my lab anytime! Nice to have another witch around.”
She smiles warmly despite her predicament.
Kalix scoffs, placing his free hand on his hip.
“Yeah, so nice. I’m honestly so overjoyed.” His voice is drenched in sarcasm.
