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

by K.M. Shea

the Paragon’s study—which was settled in his private pocket realm in the fae realm. The study was stuffed with gorgeous wooden bookshelves, almost to the point of feeling overcrowded, but it was such a unique blend of old magic and human tech toys that it was always fun to visit. A statue of a unicorn carved out of a crystal was settled on a shelf with a sleek video gaming system. His desk—made out of a living tree—held stacks of books older than America, and what looked like one of the first iPod models. Vials filled with curious liquids were lined up neatly on spice racks, and beneath them was an empty carton of Chinese takeout. As always, the most noticeable thing about the study was the enormous velvet pet bed. It had changed locations from a bookshelf to the open mouth of a dragon head statue that was about the size of a pony. Lounging on that bed was a gloriously hairless sphinx cat. Today she was rolled up like a giant, pink egg, her head tucked almost invisibly under her body. “Hello, Aphrodite,” I said. She unearthed her head, revealing ears so big they were bat-like. She gave me a friendly “Mmert”, and stretched, jiggling the tiny gold bell on her collar—which appeared to be embroidered with real gold. “Aphrodite!” The Paragon scratched her chin and cooed over her. “Help me pick out a tea for my guests!” He scooped up the hairless cat and carried her across the study to a locked cabinet.

Paragon/Aphrodite: the Paragon’s study—which was settled in his private pocket realm in the fae realm. The study was stuffed with gorgeous wooden bookshelves, almost to the point of feeling overcrowded, but it was such a unique blend of old magic and human tech toys that it was always fun to visit. A statue of a unicorn carved out of a crystal was settled on a shelf with a sleek video gaming system. His desk—made out of a living tree—held stacks of books older than America, and what looked like one of the first iPod models. Vials filled with curious liquids were lined up neatly on spice racks, and beneath them was an empty carton of Chinese takeout. As always, the most noticeable thing about the study was the enormous velvet pet bed. It had changed locations from a bookshelf to the open mouth of a dragon head statue that was about the size of a pony. Lounging on that bed was a gloriously hairless sphinx cat. Today she was rolled up like a giant, pink egg, her head tucked almost invisibly under her body. “Hello, Aphrodite,” I said. She unearthed her head, revealing ears so big they were bat-like. She gave me a friendly “Mmert”, and stretched, jiggling the tiny gold bell on her collar—which appeared to be embroidered with real gold. “Aphrodite!” The Paragon scratched her chin and cooed over her. “Help me pick out a tea for my guests!” He scooped up the hairless cat and carried her across the study to a locked cabinet.