Page 15 of Black Onyx

A growl not from Loki comes from somewhere in the room.

“He what?” Storm growls.

“It was nothing. Better than not eating.” I say, which was apparently the wrong answer.

I turn back to Loki to see his eyes darkening again.

“Fuck, I’m going to regret this.” I start, as questions get thrown at me and yelling increases. “I’ve got a familiar!” I yell.

Everyone freezes as Loki’s eyes clear completely.

“What?” He asks, shock evident in his tone.

“I have a familiar,” I repeat, already regretting telling them.

“No one has had a familiar for decades.” Storm scoffs, clearly on edge.

“Poca, I swear to god if you stay invisible right now, no belly rubs for a month!” I say to the grinning hellhound.

He stares at me defiantly before a slight shimmer overtakes him.

“Fucking hell. That’s not a familiar. That’s a fucking hellhound.” Rival exclaims, staring wide-eyed at the glowing with embers, horse-sized hellhound they can now all see.

“Tone it down, Poca,” I say tiredly, as he growls playfully before putting out his embers and turning into a great Dane sized hellhound instead.

“You’ve got some fucking explaining to do.” Storm growls.

“I’d like to sit down now,” I say, swaying on my feet slightly.

“Fuck,” Loki growls as he carefully leads me over to the sofa, and I sit down.

“What’s happened?” Magnus exclaims as he bursts through the door, Reaper hot on his heels. “Is that a hellhound?”

“I told you he was real,” I grin.

“Fuck, look at you. Is it still in your system?”

“Yep.”

“Is what still in her system?” Reaper asks.

“I knew it! I can’t have someone on my team who does drugs.” Storm sneers.

“It’s not drugs. It’s a potion that stops my healing and blocks some of my gifts. It’s starting to wear off now, hence why I could call my sword to me.” I say, stopping his rant in its tracks.

My eyes drift closed.

“Why the fuck would you take that?”

“I didn’t take it willingly,” I argue.

“What?” He growls before demanding, “Who?”

I don’t reply as my eyes drift shut again.

“Farren. Stay awake.” Loki says gently.

“Who, Farren?” Storm demands.