The Beast And The Blessed

Thirty-Four: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

"You’re coming with me," I said as I walked past Tobias in the gym. The large stack of plates dropped loudly as he released the rope he had been pulling. I didn't need to look over my shoulder to know he was following me. I could feel him. His hands shot out, grabbing my waist and pulling my body back against his as we reached the training field outside.

His deep voice echoed through my mind, sending a shiver down my spine.1 You can count on it. Then, after, we can go wherever you want.'

I smirked as I enjoyed his dirty mind. A quick afternoon delight would be welcomed, but I didn't know how much time I had. Natalie would keep

Rona distracted, but the redheaded witch would get suspicious if it were too long. That was the last thing I needed after she caught me with her blood.

"Down, boy,’ I whispered, rubbing my ass against him suggestively. "Work now, reward later.1’

He loosened his hold on me as I began to walk again, his fingers tips slipping off my hips after a few steps.

Tobias had always been a great warrior. He took orders well and never asked questions. It wasn't until we were alone that the roles were reversed, and he gave the orders.

He didn't question my instructions; I knew he could feel my stress and determination to get this over with.

I had spoken to Natalie this morning, and she understood her assignment. She was to keep Rona distracted and have Rona use her magic as much as possible while I was gone. Draining her energy would help me to get past any traps or wards she had placed without her noticing.

'Let's make this quick.' I told him through our mate bond, feeling the light and joking man melt away until he returned to the usual hard and collected warrior. 'I don't want it to be noticed that we are gone if we can help it. Do you need to pack anything or want to change first? We should only be gone a few hours."

I really hoped his answer was no. He looked so sexy in his workout clothes. The way his muscles stretched the fabric and the light layer of sweat on him had me ready to climb him like a tree and lick the salt from his neck.

He shook his head, grabbing my hand, and I didn't waste another second before teleporting us to the closest town's border. I knew where Rona lived; she had taken over her mother's house after she had drained her mother's magic and killed her for her seat on the council.

The air was void of magic, and I had to assume that even if I didn't feel it, she had at least one ward in place to protect her home.

We walked carefully away from the town, out past the edge of the forest, and through the thick trees before her cabin came into view. It was small, quant, and a little evil-looking.

The low layer of fog hiding her yard was out of place for the dry and warm morning. The green vines covering the east wall of her home were thicker than anything I had ever seen, and I imagined that if I got too close, they would strangle me without a second thought.

stopped, taking a deep breath before letting out a growl on exhale. He knew exactly where we were. I was sure that he could

that she was vile, and I was ready to celebrate the day she would meet her

As it blew away, the sound of sizzling and trees crackling made my eyes widen. It only took a second before the leaves fell from the impacted trees. I should have suspected that

to her front door. It almost reminded me of the witch's cottage in Hansel and Gretel. I wouldn't

grass, filling the area once more. As the breeze blew it back into the trees, I picked up a rock

or hid something huge,

fought against the dozens of traps she had in place, trying to get close enough to get into her house. Tobias looked

I was sure he would lose his mind, but he stopped when I freed myself with a laugh. Blood dripped down my face, but I wiped it with my shirt, careful

was nothing compared to some

her house sat on a thick layer of cement. Going in through the roof was what triggered the vines to knock me out of the air and attempt to

I was determined. My stubbornness could outmatch

healer and come up with a new plan to get inside,” Tobias said, placing his

wouldn't give up, but I was getting irrationally angry. A large rock, just bigger than my fist, stuck out to me, and I reached down and picked it up. Tobias narrowed

rock into the back of her head, the air suddenly felt lighter. I hadn't planned to kill her, just knock her out and use her body as a

seemed I wouldn't need to do that after

I knew this wasn't my doing, and it felt like a trap. Why would her magic just drop off

loud laugh that sent a shiver through my body before he

I waited. Nothing happened.

step forward, then another until he had confidently marched up the pathway to her front door. He twisted the handle roughly, the metal popping as the lock broke, before gesturing for

before running after him and over the yard that had tried to kill me seven ways till Sunday. "Cyrus

to escape her. He accidentally knocked her into the fireplace mantle, and she's out cold." He ducked his head into the house, examining it before pulling

warnings about her to heart, and I couldn't help but laugh as I walked into her house. It was misleadingly small on the outside, but the inside had been crafted by magic and was a massive open space with a hallway to the side where several rooms lined the walls, leading to blood-red double doors that were open,

few minutes to search before I moved on to her study. Each drawer I pulled open and every painting I moved led to disappointment. Tobias searched with me, but I could feel his eyes trailing over me each time I reached up or bent down. It was almost distracting, but I was too frustrated by the lack of

the last drawer in her study,

a few ingredients that I wouldn't mind getting my hands on, but nothing to tie her to her

stood, only to stop when I saw Tobias staring at me with his shoulder leaning against the doorframe. A fire in his eyes made my stomach tighten, and I swallowed hard

relax to think clearly." He

clearly." I snapped back as he moved

you relax." His fingers trailed over my neck, pulling my hair back from

him to sink his teeth into my neck, bringing me the most pleasure I had ever felt. But I had priorities. We didn't know how long Rona would be out, and we needed to leave her