Toxic Part Two (Celestra Series Book 7.5) by Addison Moore

as the glass collects itself from the four corners of the room.
    The mirror restores itself to its former glory right before our eyes and the screaming stops—silent as the sun.
    I have a feeling we may never see Michelle Miller again. And I’m damn sure if she ever does get out, she’ll do a hell of a lot more than scratch me.
     
     

Chapter 65
    Birthday Blowup
        
    In the morning, God spears Paragon with javelins of fire as He knives lightning bolts into Marshall’s yard. The forest and the hillside in the distance light up in a spectacular show of electrocution. I watch as they form a ring of fire in the sky—a familiar demonic nest of lavender currents.
    An electrical storm has hit the island, a peculiar phenomenon, which has all of the telltale signs of a classic downpour, minus the actual aquatic properties required for such occasion. I’m betting this weather-based anomaly has something to do with the fact Marshall is having the stalls and corral professionally cleaned today. He’s deemed them a steaming pit of fecal matter waiting to cast a pox of boils on anyone who happens to step three feet in their vicinity. God, how I’d love to lock Demetri in a stall until boils erupt all over his body—Chloe, too. 
    I glance over at the mirror and a horrific guilty feeling lines me like lead. God only knows what I’ve done to Michelle.  
    Marshall catches my attention from across the breakfast table. “How are your eggs?” He asks with all of the sultry velvet his voice can afford. I know he’s referring to my breakfast and yet somehow I suspect my ovaries are the topic at hand.
    He’s showered and shaved and looks every bit the demigod he is. He’s wearing a sweatshirt from West, with Cerberus’s effigy on the front, and sadly, this makes me long for Gage—the one I knew and loved.
    “They’re great.” I shrug. Marshall has prepared a feast. Honestly, ten people couldn’t wolf down all the food he’s lovingly prepared. “So I gather you’ll do the cooking once the eternal covenant of our love commences.” I bite down a smile. The thought of Marshall committing to a life of remedial chores somehow pleases me.  
    “For you, I’d slice and dice the universe, reduce it to liquid and let you drink down the concoction.” His eyes light up with seduction. “I’ll lay the world at your feet, every God-breathed minute. But you already know that.” He bears into me with an intense desire and I can’t find the strength to look away. He’s seeing me, without my clothes, without my inhibitions, imagining us together. I don’t know how I know this, I just do.
    I look into his eyes and watch as a scene unravels like a movie. There we are, together in one tangle of flesh, my face lost in delirium—and this causes my cheeks to burn with an intensity I’ve never felt before.
    An abrasive knock explodes over the door, interrupting the fantasy-based fervor.
    “The dolts have arrived.” He gives a brief blink of annoyance before heading toward the entry and I dutifully follow. Truthfully, I haven’t left Marshall’s side since what shall from now on be referred to as the incident . I’m not quite sure how to classify what happened to Michelle.
    Marshall swings open the door, just as a loud crackle of thunder detonates from above.
    “Logan!” I dart past Marshall and give him a hug. To my surprise, I see both Ethan and Drake coming up the driveway.
    “Dudley,” Drake calls out.
    “Around the back,” Marshall barks out the order. “Shovels and disposal units are at the ready.”
    Ethan gives a brief wave as they file through the side gate.
    “ That’s who you’re relying on to clean the crap out of your yard? They don’t even flush the toilet half the time. Sanitation is not a high priority, just saying.”
    “The dollar is an amazing lure.” He turns to Logan and his features darken. “What bids the visit?” Marshall doesn’t care for the Oliver standing before us—either one to