The Beast And The Blessed

Forty-Seven: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

"Absolutely not!" I snapped as we walked away.

Joselin pursed her lips as she looked away from me and to Killian as if she was expecting him to take her side over mine. 'She felt it!"

He let out a deep breath, and I knew that if I looked back he would be pinching the bridge of his nose. It was his tell that he was frustrated. But I didn't look back, because I knew in my heart that we had grown past this. He wouldn't be taking her side over mine, not over something as significant as blood.

"It couldn't hurt to do some testing."

My body went still, and he caught himself just as his chest collided with my back. His hands found my hips, and he steadied me as Joselin smirked in victory. He didn't bother to unhand me as I spun around in his arms, glaring up at him.

"Seriously? It's my body, my blood. I said no."

how angry it would make me for the two of them to

he's siding with you right now." I tried to step back, but Killian's hold on me tightened slightly. "I am irritated with both of you equally. I said no to you wanting to take my blood, and I don't need the two of you trying to pressure me or gang up on me, so I am stopping this conversation here before we get into an actual argument." "But you felt the magic. Do you know how rare that is for someone who doesn't come from magic?" She asked, and she lit up with excitement.' This could explain why you didn't shift!" "I felt death. I felt a darkness that made me want to jump in the shower and scrub myself clean as if I had just been standing in a room full of rotting corpses. There was nothing magical about it." I lowered my voice as I spoke, knowing others could still hear me with their supernatural abilities, but

a few tests. You can watch me do them, and then you can dispose of the blood yourself." Her pleading was unexpected, but I knew she needed a win. After failing at finding more information on the curse, she seemed eager to get answers about

wanted to trust her, I had heard about witches. I had heard what they could do to you if they got their hands on one of your personal items. Handing over blood

let out

I want to try first to trigger my shift." I felt Killian breathing pause as he held his breath for a moment, and I knew he was thinking about the mark I had asked for. "If that doesn't work, I will let you run your tests, and I will dispose of my blood when you are done. But... if the council is here, the deal is off. I don't want any of the other witches to know about it. They don't need to get their hands on

them out and nodding in agreement. "I

stepping between me and his sister. "Are you out of your mind, Killian Amery?" "Oh," Joselin chuckled darkly. "This is going to be good." "Oh, for the love of the Goddess! Whatever it is, we can have this conversation in my office." Killian groaned, reaching down to grab my hand before pulling with him down the hallway and toward the office

was. I loved it when he took control, but that didn't mean that I would let him do that all the

silent as they followed, Joselin looking positively gleeful and Charlie fuming. I half expected Killian to burst into flames

the side. His laptop was hanging over the edge, and as he pulled me to his side of the desk, he

and I looked to the other two women, expecting them to take a seat, but I found all three pairs of eyes staring at me. Killian released my hand,

Oh, my heart.

a sign of respect, one that sent an odd flutter through my chest. I kept my hand down