Magic Unleashed (Hall of Blood and Mercy, #3)

by K.M. Shea

they don’t feel like it’s their place to offer help.” “We don’t care,” Felix added. “Because we know you ate crayons in elementary school.” “That was an off year for me!”

And so into battle I went. For a vampire I currently hated, to a fight I wasn’t at all involved in. And it felt so, so right.

“I guess now would be as good a time as any to tell you that you are a raging moron.”

we can continue this talk. I’d like to reconcile, Hazel.” “Yeah, and I’d like a pony,” I grumbled. “You’ll come tomorrow?”

“Forgiveness means giving up my anger at your actions. It doesn’t mean there are no consequences to your actions,”

“Great Aunt Marraine is a lot of things. I don’t know that I would ever call her wayward. Pushy, yes. Opinionated, for sure. Stubborn, heck yes. Naturally, I assume this means she and Rupert will be besties.”

he’s not going to let you go a second time.” “I doubt that.” “You don’t think he is that desirous of you?”

“You are a simultaneously complex but simplistic creature.”

“Does that mean now is a suitable time to bargain?” “Bargain for what?” “Your bu—” “Okay, and we’re done,”

“I’ll take whatever ones are almost expired to Drake Hall and feed them to Killian.” “I am glad I can be your garbage disposal.”

wizards will see it that way and theorize you’re trying to find a weakness you can exploit.” “Houses already have dreadfully huge weaknesses,” Killian said. “They are called wizards—such

“What if helping each other is the best option, rather than fortifying our own individual races?”

For a leader, listening is far more important than shows of power.”

“You’re worse than two teenagers who have just entered a relationship! Killian, how old are you? Well beyond the years it is acceptable for you to act twitterpated. Shame on you for leaving me high and dry just because your girlfriend is back!”

“You’re as mentally stable as a computer in need of updates.”

If you keep trying to run from this issue just to avoid pain, I won’t stand for it.”

“Partaking in caffeine at this hour will open the mysteries of the universe and allow you to see things as they are,” Josh said. Momoko studied him, then bluntly said, “What?” “I mean to imply if she drinks a caffeinated beverage at this hour, it will likely make her loopy,” Josh said. “Ah.” Momoko nodded. “Truth.”

“You’re a good egg, Rupert.” Rupert rolled his eyes. “I’m a vampire, not a dragon shifter.” “I know,

“Josh,” I whispered. “What are you doing?” “Writing my epitaph,” Josh whispered back. “Because the end of the world has arrived. Time will soon collapse and all will sink into the ocean. The sign has appeared.”

“Obviously I mean a lot to you.” “Yes,” I nodded without thinking. “Wait, no! I take it back!”

you blush—which, along with the rising sun and the peace of night, makes my life complete.”

You’re a unique mixture of open-mindedness, action, and perseverance to do what needs to be done.”

pulling out his smartphone to show me a picture of the cat. She was sitting on her pet bed, wearing a purple onesie with a hood and floppy rabbit ears. Can I just say it? That cat puts up with a lot.

“Now we just wait and see if the Night Court takes the bait, right? Do you think we’ll find out by the end of the week?” “Good heavens, no,” the Paragon snorted. “You’ll find out by the end of the night!”

“I finally won!” I hopped to my feet and did a victory lap around the mats. “I did it, I did it, I did it!” I chanted.

“I am a dirty cheater, and this would never count in real life, but I don’t care! I wo—ahh!”

The Drake vampires were offering each other curt nods and a few smiles and back slaps, until Momoko hugged Celestina and it became a free-for-all hug fest that involved most wizards chasing down slightly panicking vampires. (My favorite, I think, was when June snuck up on Rupert and gave him a hug. He squealed like a pig, but sat through it like an obedient dog.)

Hazel made one of those amusing noises she emitted when she was so embarrassed she couldn’t speak. Yep. She’s going to have a very long, very full life,