“Do you now?” Brokon laughs and laughs, the sound deep and sinister.
Just then, Portia and Illumine march our way. I suppress a grin as Portia eyes the demon critically. After silently staring him down for a minute, the angel claps her hands.
Two guards head toward us, and I gasp. They’re escorting Lucas.
At the angel’s nod, the guards unshackle Lucas in front of Brokon. The demon looks so baffled I want to laugh out loud.
“You weren’t the only one I allowed into the trance,” I tell him.
Another steps forward to join the crowded area in front of the demon's cell. The warden of the Magical Prison is a sphinx named Badin. He has the body of a lion, gold and brown wings, and a man's head. His hair is wild, like a mane, and he looks as powerful and strong as anyone else in the entire prison.
“You will be moved to our most secure cell,” Badin says.
“Why?” Brokon demands.
“Only the police, myself, and the killer knows the name of siren’s victims. You knew, Brokon. Admit it.”
The demon gnashes his long teeth. His cruel eyes have turned wholly black, and I don’t think it’s possible for him to look any angrier, but I’m wrong. His body complexion alters, turning entirely read. Horns grow on the top of his head, and spikes protrude from his jawline. I can just see his fingers through the binding, but they aren’t fingers. They’re claws.
“I’m—”
“Don’t lie, Brokon,” I urge. “You should take credit for your crime.”
“Yes, that mouse of a siren didn’t do it. I did. Lock me away if you want, but there are so many more out there, far too many for you to nab them all. We demons do as we wish, and you and yours… Let’s just say that might be targeting next.”
“Considering my parents are dead, go ahead and target them,” I spit out.
“Take him away,” Badin demands.
The guards rush to comply, and Portia leads the way for them to depart for the demon’s new cell.
“Don’t worry. He won’t be able to talk or do any magic or anything at all,” the sphinx assures me.
“That’s good.” My gaze flickers over to Lucas. He looks amazed. “Are you all right?”
“Never better,” he murmurs. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“Of course.”
Lucas glances at the warden. “I never thought a prison could be a source of hope, but you both proved me wrong.”
“Technically, entering one’s mind and trances… they aren’t admissible, but when dealing with the likes of Brokon and his ilk, sometimes, you have to do what is necessary.” Badin nods. “I take it I won’t ever see you again, siren?”
“Never,” Lucas promises.
“You can walk him out, Mirella, but then you had best get back to work.”
“Of course. Right away, sir,” I say, but the sphinx is already walking away, his claws scraping against the hard floor.
Lucas and I walk to the front door.
“Thank you again,” he says.
“Maybe after I finish my week here, we can go out for karaoke.”
Lucas burst out laughing. “I would like that.”
“Good. I have a few friends who might want to come out, too.”
“The more, the merrier. You’re going to make a strong, formidable paranormal executioner, Mirella.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You went up against a demon. You had a demon in your trance, and you didn’t lose your mind. That’s beyond impressive.”
I swallow hard. Ignorance is bliss is the saying, and I had been ignorant concerning the potential consequences of my actions. Honestly, even if I knew, I would've done it anyhow.
Innocent is innocent, and Lucas is free now, and Brokon is never going to leave the prison. What more can I ask for?
“I’ll see you for karaoke,” I tell Lucas.
We hug, and the siren leaves. I grin as I return to work. Yes, being a prison guard isn’t what I want to be for the rest of my life, but I’m so grateful I have to be here for a week. Otherwise, Lucas would still be imprisoned. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a little shaken up for a while at the newfound knowledge of what his voice had caused others to do, but I’m more than willing to help him through it.
Who would've thought that, during my time as a paranormal guard, I would free an inmate, befriend him, and force a dangerous prisoner into the strictest room in the entire place?
Never give up hope is the advice I wanted to give Lucas, and I know I’ll never give up hope that I’ll become a paranormal executioner like my parents before me. For now, I have a job to do, and I rush around to locate Illumine. It’s time to get back to work.
The End
Enjoyed this story? Be sure to leave a review! You can also read more about Mirella in the Magical Hunters Academy series. An entire series about the Magical Prison will be available soon!
About the Author
Nicole Zoltack is a USA Today bestselling author who loves to write romances. Of course. She did marry her first kiss, after all!
When she’s not writing about knights, superheroes, or witches, she enjoys spending time with her loving husband, three energetic young boys, and precious baby girl. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV shows are Game of Thrones and Stranger Things.
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Magical Hunters Academy Series
Age of Dragons Series
Once Upon a Darkened Night Series
Bedlam in Bethlehem Series
The Queenmaker Series
The Winged Beast Chronicles
Magic Incarnate Series
Beyond Boundaries Series
Nicole Zoltack writing as N. M. Zoltack
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In the Eye of the Dragon Series
Nicole Zoltack writing as Nicole Beyer
Magical Awakening
