Page 38 of Claiming Chaos
“She was incredible.” Chaos stood behind me and squeezed my shoulders.
Ember’s mouth hung open. “Holy crap, sis.”
“Chrys underestimated Ash and didn’t bother with fireproofing.” He grabbed another beer from the fridge and tipped it back. “She assumes Ash can only do spell work, which is why she keeps taking her bags. We can use this to our advantage. Ash can be our secret weapon.”
“If we can figure out how to remove this block.” I took a swig of beer and grimaced. It was already room temperature, so I pushed it away.
He took my bottle and dumped the contents into the sink before dropping it in the bin. What a good demon he was turning out to be. “You can call on your power around the magical block.”
“Only if I’m royally pissed off.”
“If Chrys doesn’t do it for you, I’m sure I can.” He winked, making my stomach flutter.
“No.” Ember shook her head. “It’s too risky. I won’t take a chance that big. You have to figure out how to remove it.”
I rested my elbow on the counter, cradling my chin in my hand. “It’s on my miles-long to-do list.”
“Move it to the top.” She crossed her arms. “As in figure it out tonight. If Mom bound your magic, it must be in a grimoire in our library somewhere. Find it. Figure out how to reverse it. Tomorrow, we’ll find Chrys and put an end to this shitshow.”
She made it sound so simple. “You’re not the slightest bit worried I’ll screw up—this time epically because I’m at full power—and burn the entire town to the ground?”
She lifted one shoulder dismissively. “Not in the slightest.”
“And you shouldn’t be either.” Chaos opened the door, waiting for me to get up.
I slid off my stool and shuffled toward him. “Excuse me for not having as much faith in myself as you do. I’ve been defective my entire life.”
Ember threw her arms into the air. “Oh, for Hecate’s sake, Ash. Get over yourself. You’re a badass, you always have been, and if you can reverse Mom’s spell, you’ll be the baddest ass of us all. I’m going to bed. The others should be here in an hour. Yell if there’s a problem you can’t handle.” She started toward the hall but stopped. “No one else needs to know about this. If you’re going to be our secret weapon, we need to keep you a secret. Don’t tell the others. Not even Patrice.”
My bottom lip had started to poke out, so I drew it in as she walked away. “Okay. I guess we’re looking for a spell book.” I headed down the stairs.
Chaos followed. “Your sister is correct. I’ve told you from the beginning you’re the most powerful witch I’ve ever seen. Your inborn location ability, your mastery of ink, and now your fire powers being unlocked… Few witches are blessed with so many gifts.”
“Maybe.” I stopped at my desk and rested my hands on the back of the chair. “Maybe you’re right, but it took me summoning a Prince of Hell into my head to realize any of it.”
He squeezed my shoulders. “Of course that’s what it took. You were meant to summon me. Fate brought us together, Ash. You can’t deny it.”
I sighed and turned to face him. No, I couldn’t deny it any longer. The way we fit together, the way we worked together, our powers contrasting and complementing each other… If fate wasn’t to blame for this messy, effed-up relationship between a light witch and a demon, I didn’t know what was. We were perfect together. Too perfect for it to have happened any other way.
“I can admit that now. You and I were supposed to happen, and I won’t pretend we weren’t. The problem is, when I find the spell my mom used to bind my magic, if I can reverse it, that’s it. No more Ash the screw-up. No more excuses for staying in my little library alone.”
He put his hands on my hips, and I rested mine against his chest. “And that’s a bad thing?” he asked.
“Yes. I mean, no but yes at the same time. It’s become a sort of crutch. When everyone’s expectations of you are low to nil, you never let anyone down. Without any limitations, I…”
“You can grow into the witch you are meant to be. Think of the possibilities.”
“I am, that’s why I’m scared.” I tucked my hair behind my ear. “What if we fail? What if I unlock my magic, we go after Chrys, but we still fail?”
“You won’t fail.”
“But what if we do? With my magic bound, we could blame it on Ash the screw-up.” I tugged on my bottom lip before worrying it between my teeth.
“Why would you want to hold on to that? You’re too smart, too kind, and far too powerful to be the coven’s scapegoat. It’s time you came into your own, and I am looking forward to sharing the experience with you.”
“Ugh.” I tipped my head back to look at the ceiling. “It’s just been this way for so long, I don’t know how to be anything else.”
“You’re a fast learner. You’ll figure it out quickly.”