Shadow Kissed (Magic Side: Wolf Bound Book 4)
Shadow Kissed: Chapter 10

Savannah

Thirty minutes later, I climbed out of my Fury and glanced up at the golden sign fronting Gold Trust Credit.

My senses were instantly alert. The familiar scent of pine and melted snow sent shivers skating up my spine. Jaxson.

Searching the street, I spotted him strolling down the sidewalk toward me holding two takeout cups from Magic Bean. It had only been a few hours since I’d seen him, but suddenly, it felt like days. I tried to ignore the way he made me melt, but the strength of his stride and the way his jacket stretched over those broad shoulders reminded me of the way we moved together. Just his scent sent shivers running somewhere else.

A knowing smile tugged on his lips as he noticed my interest, and I blushed. Yeah, werewolf senses could be a real pain in the ass.

He handed me a cup, and my mouth watered at the rich scent of cardamon and cinnamon. “Thanks.” I took a sip of the sugary mocha latte and sighed with relief. I was running on fumes.

When I’d told him about the key, he’d insisted on meeting me here—something about not wanting to leave me alone, though I suspected that was as much for his benefit as mine. I quickly explained the key situation as we headed up the sidewalk.

“So Laurel has no idea what’s inside the lockbox?” Jaxson asked as he opened the glass door for me. A bell dinged as we entered.

“She has no clue.”

Bank tellers sat behind glass windows, while at least five tiny, winged creatures flitted about behind them carrying receipts and wads of cash.

“What the…?” I watched as one of them deposited a stack of hundred-dollar bills into the palm of a woman with broad-rimmed glasses. She didn’t even look up. She just took the cash like it was no big deal.

Jaxson chuckled beside me. “First time seeing an imp, I take it.”

“I think I saw some at the Archives, but these are so tiny.” They were no bigger than a foot and cute as all hell. “Can I have one?”

He grunted. “Imps are more like assistants than pets. They’re single-minded and ornery and best suited to busywork. You’re better off getting a dog.”

One of the imps glared at him but went about its task.

We waited in line behind a woman who had a small child next to her. He was holding her hand, and he turned his head and looked up at me. I wasn’t good with kids, but this one was cute. I smiled at him. He blinked, and when he opened his eyes, they were no longer blue but a pale green with vertical pupils.

I frowned, and a lizard-like tongue darted out of his mouth. I must have gasped or had a horrible look on my face, because his mother glanced back at me and gave me a death stare.

Jaxson cleared his throat as the woman towed her son up to a teller.

Embarrassment burned my cheeks, but a teller about my age waved us over. Every time I started to get comfortable in Magic Side, it peeled back another layer. It felt like home, but I had a feeling that this pattern of awkward discovery was going to stick with me for a long time.

“Hi. I’m here to collect my belongings from this box,” I said, and slid the key to the man. His signature smelled like popcorn, but I couldn’t replace any indications as to what kind of Magica he was.

“Name?” He examined the key and looked up at me.

“Savannah Caine. Though it might be under LaSalle.”

His fingers flew over the keyboard in front of him, and his eyes darted to me when I said LaSalle. “Do you have any identification?”

I pulled out the ID card I’d gotten from the Order when I’d first showed up in Magic Side. He examined it, narrowing his eyes at the photo and then at me.

Seemingly satisfied, he slid the key, ID, and a golden token under the glass partition and said, “Box one-oh-six. Take the hall on your right, first left, five rows down.”

“Well, that was easy,” I muttered, but stopped short when we came face to face with a giant vault door. An enormous horned demon guarded the way. His signature smelled of ash and blood, and I sucked in a sharp breath.

He extended a clawed hand and spoke in a voice that was like grinding stone. “ID and token please.”

I carefully placed it in his palm. He studied both, returned my ID, and slid the coin in a slot on the door.

The handle began to spin, and a burst of steam shot out from small vents in the steel plates. It swung wide, and the demon ushered us in.

Silver lockboxes lined the walls from floor to ceiling, and a narrow set of stairs on wheels was parked at the end. We took the first left, and I counted five rows down, dragging my finger over the black numbers inscribed into the boxes.

My heart pulsed harder, and I swallowed. “Thanks for being with me, Jax. I don’t have much of anything that belonged to my parents, and I’m a little nervous to see what it is.”

“Of course. I figured I’d better be here in case they denied you access. I wouldn’t want you to try robbing the bank.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “That was almost a joke.”

Finally, I found it: one hundred six. It was no bigger than a shoebox.

I fitted the key into the brass hole and turned until it clicked. Pulling the small door open, I peered inside.

Excitement thrummed through my veins as I reached in and withdrew two white business envelopes. The thickest one was full of crisp hundred-dollar bills. I sucked in a breath. There had to be at least fifteen grand here, if not more. “Holy shit.”

Jaxson whistled low.

I flipped open the other envelope and pulled out several folded sheets of paper. A letter—and written in my mom’s handwriting.

Savannah –

If you’re reading this, then something has happened to us. I’m so sorry, honey. We always wanted you to have a “normal” life, but sometimes, the fates have other plans. You were the best thing your father and I ever did, and we will always love you.

Trust your aunt Laurel. She sacrificed more for us than anyone. She will explain everything. Just know that what we did, we did to protect you. You might be angry, but one day, I hope you’ll understand what it was all for.

Don’t let anyone push you around. You’ve always been stronger than you realize, and though the fates may have set the course for things to come, you will always have the power to fashion your own path. You’re an artist, after all.

You have family in Silverton, from my side. When you’re ready, I know your grandfather and cousins would love to meet you. He was so excited when you were born, and his heart is like yours. Go to him and reconnect with your roots.

Take care, honey. Love you to the moon and back.

Mom

My eyes blurred, and I swallowed hard as I unfolded the other sheet. On it was my grandfather’s address in Silverton, Colorado.

Jaxson gently rubbed my back. “I’m so sorry, Savy.”

I nodded, and a tear slipped free. “What would have happened if I’d never come to Magic Side? If I’d just kept on driving? I’d never have any of this. Not Laurel. Not this letter. Not my family. Not you.”

“I would always have found you.” He pulled me to his chest, and like a dam breaking, my tears finally fell. He held me tight and pressed his lips to my forehead. “You’re right where you belong, where you’re loved. And safe.”

His words seemed to crack my chest further open, and by the time I was finished crying, Jaxson’s shirt was damp. I wiped my eyes and nose, feeling a rush of embarrassment. “Sorry. There’s just so much to deal with, so much of the time.”

“You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. I understand.”

I dried the last of my tears with my wrist. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t care. Somewhere that’s not a wall of boxes. Somewhere quiet, somewhere I can breathe without a demon looking over my shoulder.”

He nodded. “I know just the place.”