Page 36 of Thorn & Ash

Unless… the mortal realm had pulled her again.

Evander’s steps faltered. It wouldn’t have been the first time she’d hopped between realms. Was that what had happened? Was Evander overreacting?

No, he could sense it. Deep within himself, his entire being roiled with chaos, warning him that something was wrong. He’d known the instant he’d met Mona that she was different, that whatever had unbound her was potentially dangerous.

And now that he knew Vasileios was involved, he was even more on guard.

Did Vasileios have her? Did he find out where her spirit was?

Evander stopped to catch his breath and ran his hands through his hair with a frustrated groan. He’d never felt like this before. Desperate. Helpless. Willing to do anything to solve a problem.

Even…

No. He shut that thought down. That beast was the reason he was in this predicament in the first place.

And yet… the creature could scent Mona. It was part animal. And it knew her. Was protective of her.

Evander gritted his teeth so hard his temples throbbed. Gods, was he really considering this?

But if Mona was in trouble…

Evander swore, gripping fistfuls of his hair in his hands. Dammit, dammit. With a deep breath, Evander growled, “Typhon, are you there? I need your help.”

Silence met his words, and he swore again. Then, finally, a voice within him rumbled, “You despise me. And you wish for my help?”

Evander’s eyes closed. Typhon had a point. “It’s Mona. I need you to find her.”

Rage and urgency burned in his chest, and he knew it was Typhon’s response. He cared for Mona, too. Evander tried not to think about how much that bothered him.

“Let me take over,” Typhon said. “I will find her.”

Evander’s jaw ticked back and forth. This was his last chance to refuse. All his rational thoughts told him this was a terrible idea.

But when it came to Mona, he wasn’t thinking rationally.

“Fine,” he said. “My body is yours.”

Triumph soared through him as Typhon took full control. Evander felt his body shifting, making room for his wings and horns and claws as he transitioned fully to the beast he loathed.

UNHINGED

MONA

Before Mona’s Resurrection

Still rattled by her encounter with Evander, Mona had trouble getting her bearings. She was back on the beach in Krenia, Prue standing next to her as if she’d been waiting for her.

“I’m close now,” Prue said. “I just have to wait for Samhain.”

Dazed, Mona could only blink at Prue. She vaguely registered that she was in ghost form once more, her transparent body clothed in the same dress she’d worn on the day she died.

Well, at least I’m not naked, she thought.

“To bring you back,” Prue clarified, her tone patient. Much more patient than she’d ever been when Mona had been alive.

But so much had changed.

“How long?” Mona asked quietly.