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

by K.M. Shea

“We don’t care,” Felix added. “Because we know you ate crayons in elementary school.” “That was an off year for me!”

“Why do you want me to stay?” I pursed my lips as I studied the vampire. “Everything I’ve asked for has a clear reason. What do you get out of this?” Killian’s smile turned bemused—but not smug. No, it was almost…sad? “Isn’t it obvious, Hazel?”

vulnerable Killian 🥺

(Momoko, it seemed, was a secret HGTV fanatic)

“Why,” Rupert snarled, “are we here?” “Hey, Rupert!” Leila waved to the red-haired vampire, and curiously watched Franco and Felix climb out of his car. “Hanging with humans, huh? That’s pretty rare for you.” Rupert gave her a withering glare. Leila chuckled. “Awww, you’re just as precious as usual.”

I fucking love Leila. She must be protected. I would love to live on her farm with her.

“I assigned Rupert the task of watching several human chick flick movies. He said this method usually returned wayward males into the good graces of their significant others.”

I can totally see Rupert really enjoying those movies and vehemently denying this to anyone who asks

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

I was losing it! If I wasn’t careful, I’d soon be doodling hearts whenever I thought about Killian.

I mean, that wouldn’t be too terrible, would it?

I’ve been slumping around this stupid city for days, waiting for you two to come ask me for help with the Night Court! And you never showed!” Fat crocodile tears that I was 99% sure were dramatized glazed the Paragon’s eyes as he melodramatically wiped them. “I stood in the ice cream aisle for an hour. My hands got cold! And I’m now banned from the library!”

I said you two were friends, and you both got disgusted with me and claimed you weren’t.” Killian scoffed. “It’s because we’re not.” The Paragon drew back, as if Killian had slapped him. “How dare you say that?!”

“I am not trying to put the moves on your beloved, so don’t chip your fangs gnashing your teeth. My gosh, as if I’d think of a wizard like that! No offense.” “None taken,” I said. “You’re too old for me anyway.” “Oh, you think he’s younger than I am?” The Paragon nodded at Killian. “I have got news for you, sister. He—”

I am really curious how old Killian is, though. We better find out

“I’m making you a loose-leaf tea.” The Paragon tapped the lock of the wooden cabinet. The lock clicked open and the doors swung open, revealing rows and rows of canisters covered with gauzy blue silk. “You should be honored! Tea is a fae specialty we learned centuries ago from the elves themselves! We don’t often make it for outsiders—I certainly never have!”

as a tea person, I love this

“You see I have the brew time and water temperature labeled on the outside, but the tea flavor is only recorded on the bottom of the lid. I purposely bought the same containers so I can’t tell them apart, and as long as I refrain from looking at the lid it’s a pleasant surprise from Aphrodite to me!”

I might try this out, sounds really fun

“It’s a tea maker!” The Paragon beamed at me. “You select the temperature and brew time, and the machine will make the tea to these specifications, see?” He pointed to a tiny screen where he changed the time and temperature, then pressed a button.

yes, please

I made a mobile Starbucks order which should be ready any moment.” The Paragon pulled a smartphone out of the sleeves of his robe and peered down at the screen. “Don’t touch anything valuable, I’ll be back in a jiffy. I have a door rigged into my favorite Starbucks cafe—I can’t wake up without my caffeine. Toodles!”

I really like him

unicorn pen

It had the tangy taste of tart strawberries that hadn’t quite ripened, the smooth richness of chocolate, and an underlying floral taste.

I should try to find this tea. this is my reminder to find this tea

“I’m not your one,”

she is totally his one

“She picked out my ‘lovers’ summer’ tea for the two of you.” Killian straightened. “I thought you said you didn’t check the label?” “For me.” The Paragon took off his spectacles and tossed them on the table. “Of course I was going to read what she picked out for the two of you! I need to know what she thinks you’re lacking.” He took a swig of his drink. “Ahhh, that’s good stuff. Anyway, in this case, she must believe you need to rekindle your romance.” When our gazes swung to the sphinx cat, she yawned, displaying a mouthful of white teeth. “You’re joking,” Killian said.

Yes, Aphrodite, make those matches 😘

Aphrodite is very intuitive. She knows just what people need! Just last week she picked out a very appropriate tea for the Day King when he dropped by to complain. I call it ‘calm the heck down.’ A few swigs and he was sleeping like a baby!”

“What are you doing with a love tea, anyway?” He frowned at the Paragon. “I can’t imagine anyone wanted to date you with this crusty appearance.” “I beg your pardon!” The Paragon puffed up his chest. “I’ll have you know I am quite popular! Or—that is to say—I was very popular in my youth!” He laughed sheepishly. “When was that?” Killian asked. “The American Civil War?” “As if you have room to talk Sir ‘I-hail-from-Britannia-and-probably-shook-hands-with-King-Arthur-and-am-now-robbing-the-cradle’!” “I hope that cat of yours bites you.” “Dream on!” I listened to the two bicker, perfectly aware it was a performance just to distract me. And as Aphrodite continued to purr, I did actually feel a little better.

“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.”

“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.” My head sagged on my neck at my hopeless and foolish desire for help. “If the end of the world has come,” June started, “what point is there in having an epitaph? No one will be around to read it.” Josh paused in the middle of writing a word. “This is true…”

hateful salad.

I am delighted you decided to join us this evening!” Killian smiled politely. “You are being too kind. I hope my presence isn’t ruining the fun you were all having.” “Nonsense!” Great Aunt Marraine said. “You are such a dear boy. Of course we would be glad to see you!” Rupert—who had roamed farther down the table since he’d been voluntarily displaced—choked on his glass of blood.

I also had the great pleasure of being near a group of werewolves when they heard a few of the Drake dogs bark happily, and it was hysterical.

I really wish there had been more werewolves in this series

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.

Talking to a vampire was upsetting because you knew they could kill you and you couldn’t stop them. Speaking with a fae wasn’t much better, because if you weren’t careful they could get you to legally agree to letting them slit your throat.

My wizard’s mark—powered by the sheer amount of magic I was daring to build—burned my cheek with such strength it stung. “Actually…I won’t.” I smiled, delighted I got to be the one to deliver the bad news. “You see, my magic can’t hurt him.” Queen Nyte turned ghostly white, and she shifted her gaze to Killian. He smiled at her…a wizard’s mark identical to mine surfacing on his skin one beautiful flourish at a time. “You drank from her.” Ira stopped struggling, frozen in his shock. “You drank her blood, and now you’re immune to her magic.”

i fucking knew it

It was like a lightning storm went off. Gigantic bolts thicker than cars struck the battlefield, sending frozen chunks of turf and dirt flying as it struck deep into the earth. Bolt after bolt hit Killian and the two fae monarchs, shaking the earth and splitting the air with deafening rumbles that vibrated in my gut. The air was so heavy with the electric tang of my magic, I could barely breathe. It was physically heavy.

I know this is not how it would actually look but I’m imagining Palpatine’s force lightning bursting from Hazel’s hands

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.)

Earlier That Day…

good, I would be very upset if they didn’t show this

“Vampires have microorganisms in our spit and bodies that clean out things like bacteria and pathogens,” Killian said. “My spit is not contaminated—I’m more likely to get sick on your blood than the reverse.” “Oh, so you’re like a dog,” I said. “What.” Killian sat back in the couch after that, a look of disbelief etched on his handsome face. “You know there’s a saying that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s,” I said. Killian dropped my arm entirely and rubbed his eyes. “First of all, I can’t even begin to deconstruct how wrong that is.”

Killian licked the spot (like a dog—but I wasn’t going to push my luck twice in such a short span of time)

His British accent was so strong I could practically poke it,

that doesn’t really make any sense but ok

Usually around then Killian popped out of the shadows just in time to frighten whoever was unfortunate enough to suggest such a thing, and inform them he was the one they should feel sorry for because I had a magic, sentient House at my back, which made arguments spicier, according to him. (Not that he was wrong. The first time we had a fight in House Medeis, the House locked him in the gym.)

🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

“You’re my One,” Killian said bluntly. “You’re my sun when I shouldn’t be allowed any. I will never love another like I love you, and I’ll never trust another the way I trust you.” Killian held out a tiny black jewelry box. “So I thought we should make things permanent.”