anyone’s face was complete and total dismay.
“I really hate to interrupt,” Hadley said softly. “But did you get any information?” she asked me.
“No. I…well…after…” I stumbled.
Kyden interrupted. “You did the right thing by coming back,”
A door suddenly slammed open, Brax ran through the door from outside, out of breath, and it was only then I realized he had left when Kyden and I were preoccupied elsewhere. He stopped in front of Zia. “Magnus is sending someone to us.”
Just then, Misa stepped through the portal door then politely closed it behind her. She glanced at me, smiling brightly. “Nice to see you again, Lady Nexi.”
Everyone looked to me—disgust very evident on their faces that I was on friendly terms with a demon. “What is it, Misa?” I snapped.
“I am here to protect you.”
“You’re what?”
“Magnus has assigned me as your guard. He wants to ensure that since you are not living with us that you are well protected,”
“I will protect her,” Kyden growled.
She sniffed at him. “What are you going to do? You’re just a Guardian.”
Kyden puffed up, but I grabbed him back. She might look like a pretty little dainty thing, but this was a demon. If Magnus entrusted her to protect me then she was a powerful one.
After a few tense moments, Misa finally glanced at me. “Magnus has instructed me to give you the information you requested.”
Magnus had kept his word.
“Okay, well tell us.” I was hoping the change in subject would calm the situation. Misa’s eyes glowed at Kyden, and he looked about a second away from grabbing his sword.
“Let’s go somewhere more comfortable,” Misa said. “This is going to take a while.”
We made it back to our residence quickly. Kyden kept a good hold on me, and I was glad he did. The world was crumbling around me and there was no way to stop it. Just because fate was a bitch, and said I was destined to be with Magnus, didn’t mean I had to give into it. I wouldn’t. Not ever. Kyden had my heart and it would remain that way.
“Go on then, Misa,” Talon told her after everyone had taken a seat.
“This situation came to Magnus’ attention a few months back. After we did some investigating, it was discovered that Pye was arranging to dethrone Magnus.” Misa’s voice sounded almost bored. “There is a group of witches who have followed Pye for some time. They are the source behind the murders of the humans.”
Now, this was a turn in a direction I hadn’t expected. Curiosity always did get the better of me. “Why?”
“The witches have been using the wolves to kill humans for them.”
“Yeah, we know that.” I waved her on.
“They’re virgins,” she said causally.
So I was right. “What do virgins have to do with it?”
“It is the reason the witches are growing stronger. The virgins are dying as an outlet to drive their power. Since their virginity is pure, it is that energy fueling their magic. While their souls are consumed, the virginity is taken and drained with it. They are being killed for no other reason except that the witches need this energy from them to make Pye’s regime stronger.”
“Why are they using the wolves and not just doing the killing themselves?” Brax asked.
“It was to throw us off,” Misa answered. “If the wolves were killing, and not the witches themselves, we suspect they thought it wouldn’t raise any alarm to what they were plotting.”
“We discovered a young girl who was attacked, raped, but not killed,” Zia said. “Do you know why that would be, Misa?”
Her face fell with guilt, which was quite an odd sight coming from a demon “When it was discovered what Pye was planning, Magnus, well…intervened.”
“Intervened?” I repeated.
She couldn’t even meet my eyes. “He knew of your relationship to Valor.” She finally looked up. “He took the opportunity to start a little plan for himself to see the end of Pye and…”
Nothing else needed to be said. I raised my hand to stop her words. This had all been a plan to have me.
“He planned all of this?” I asked in a whisper of disbelief.
He was a sneaky bastard. All this—everything all maneuvered to suit him. To benefit him. Fucker!
Misa continued, “Magnus destroyed the wolf and aided the young woman to ensure that she would be strong enough to stand the change. He wanted to make sure Lady Nexi was close to Valor when Dante was taken, to guarantee that she would be obligated to help him.”
I hated