The room faded around me, and every sensation was drowned with gut-
wrenching fury. My fingernails itched, and my skin burned, but my rage
dwarfed it all. I was like a star imploding on itself. I was going to burn this
fucking city to the ground.
But then, somewhere in the distance, I heard his voice. Jaxson. He was
upset and yelling, but his signature enveloped me like a weighted blanket,
pushing away my sinking despair. My panting breaths eased, and the pulsing
in my temples slowed.
A tingling warmth spread through my cheeks, and my rage and pain
slowly ebbed like a fading tide. I opened my eyes and met Jaxson’s
unyielding gaze. He was kneeling before me, clutching my face in his hands.
Mine.
“Savannah.” He gently rubbed the dampness from my cheeks, and I
realized that I was a sobbing, leaking mess.
I pulled away and rubbed the tears and snot from my puffy face. His jaw
was set, and his brow furrowed as he watched me closely, either trying to
read my thoughts or evaluate my sanity.
I climbed to my feet, brushing aside Jaxson’s hand as he tried to steady
me, and hurled myself into the bathroom. I slammed the door behind me and
bent double with my arms across my aching chest.
Why was this happening to me? Of everything I had to face—abductors,
demons, an insane sorcerer—why this as well?
“Savy? Are you okay? Can I come in?” Sam’s voice came through the
door.
“No. And no.” I stumbled to the sink and stared at the reflection in the
mirror.
I didn’t even recognize myself, and it wasn’t because of the swollen eyes
and disheveled hair. My life had changed since that night at the Taphouse,
and I had changed since coming to Magic Side.
What was I going to do?