Page 61 of Claiming Chaos
17
ASH
“If your circle is as strong as the ones she cast, you can leave her be and let Mayhem take over her form.” Chaos crossed his arms, eyeing the still-frozen Chrys in the circle. “She deserves worse.”
“Nobody deserves to go through that, believe me.” I patted his shoulder.
He jerked away, whirling toward me. “Have you forgotten everything she’s done?”
I put my hands on my hips and raised my chin. No, I had not, but I wouldn’t wish that on my greatest enemy, who, at the moment, happened to be the witch in question.
“We haven’t forgotten.” Ember paced around the circle. “Have you forgotten we’re light witches? We don’t kill people.”
“On purpose,” I added, which earned me an eye roll from my sister.
“Can you…” She gestured to his demonic junk hanging free since he’d torn through his clothes. “Ash might enjoy the view, but the rest of us do not.”
“If I return to my human form, I will still be naked. Would you enjoy that view more?”
“Actually…” I opened my bag and pulled out the extra set of clothes I’d packed for him. “I had a feeling you might go full-demon.”
He accepted the clothing, turned on his heel, and stormed away.
“Somebody’s got his panties in a wad,” Ember muttered.
“She has done some pretty bad things.” I shrugged and zipped my bag.
“Whoa, Ash.” She held up her hands. “Are you actually suggesting we do nothing and let Mayhem absorb her? Because, if so, we need to freeze you too. I won’t let you turn dark.”
Now it was my turn for an eye roll. “No, I’m not suggesting that. I just mean I can see where he’s coming from. He’s protective, and she hurt us all.”
“We’re performing an exorcism.” Ember cocked a brow, challenging me to argue. “We need answers.”
I crossed my arms. “Then we have to send someone home because we don’t have the supplies to do it here. I didn’t count on her possessing herself, or I would have brought the book with me.”
Chaos returned to my side, in human form and fully clothed. “Thank you,” he whispered, and I smiled.
“Can’t we take her with us? It would be faster than a round trip.” Patrice handed Shade the healing drink she’d been mixing.
I shook my head. “If we want her to survive, the exorcism has to happen in the place she was possessed.”
“I can go get it,” Miles said. “How long will the infantry be asleep outside?”
“At least another hour or two,” Patrice said. “Are you sure you’re up to it? You were unconscious for quite a while.”
“I never stopped breathing.” Miles clutched Shade’s shoulder with brotherly affection, and Ember tossed him the keys. “Where’s the book?”
“The cabinet in my studio,” I said. “Bring the candles and salt with you too. It’s all in there from…”
“Here.” Patrice handed him a potion bottle. “Cast a shadow spell, just to be safe.”
“Thanks.” He turned and strode away.
“Are they all still lying in the churchyard?” I rummaged through my bag again and found two more binding potions.
“We dragged them around back and propped them against the building.” Shade drained his cup and handed it back to Patrice. “Thanks for that.”
She wiped it with a magic-neutralizing cloth. “It’s what I do.”