Tainted by Magic: Paranormal Women's Midlife Fiction (Midlife Demons and Demigods Book 4)

TAINTED BY MAGIC A MIDLIFE DEMONS AND DEMIGODS NOVEL TIA DIDMON VICTORIA CRAWFORD CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Death Of Magic Chapter 1 Death Of Magic Chapter 2 Also by Tia Didmon Also by Victoria Crawford About Tia Didmon About Victoria Crawford Tainted by Magic Copyright © 2023 Tia Didmon All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or deceased, or actual events is purely coincidental. I love hearing from my readers so please contact me at: https://tiadidmon.com Other books in this Series Destiny of Magic Legacy of Magic Cursed by Magic Tainted by Magic Death of Magic Unleashed by Magic Redeemed by Magic Sign up for my Newsletter and get your FREE copy of Dragon Rules! CHAPTER 1 I glanced around the park. There were a few lampposts still lit up in the area, but those that were cast shadows over the fallen carcasses of the Labolas demons. Daryn didn’t understand that it wasn’t him I didn’t trust. The hunter’s guild destroyed my family and though I now believed they were manipulated along with the rest of Spirit Falls, that truth didn’t change the past. “It isn’t you,” I whispered. Daryn rubbed his chest, and I was pretty sure he could feel my anguish. I was trapped in the same life my parents had chosen and despite my willingness to accept it to protect my son; it hadn’t been the life I wanted since the council came to inform my babysitter; I was an orphan. “Shannon, tell me what is going on. I feel like my heart is splitting in two,” Daryn said. I could see another group of hunters arrive, but it wasn’t Marlin’s team. Indego pointed at the bodies of the fallen demons and the hunters broke into teams of three and moved to collect the carcasses. The park was a public place and though they had shut it down for safety reasons, citing a gas leak, that wouldn’t stop teens or the homeless from wandering in. Not everyone was on social media or got the alerts sent out by the city council. The mundanes didn’t know they were run by supernaturals, but not everyone adhered to the rules. It was true of both communities. “My magic is a mess. I was embarrassed, okay? You and the team are all... professionals. I have all this power that I didn’t know I possessed, and I have no idea how to use it properly.” Daryn stepped closer to me and slipped his hand around my waist. His leather jacket was cold against the unzipped portion at my chest, and I shivered. He unzipped his bomber so his skin was against mine. “Shannon, you have been placed in an unprecedented position. Neither the team nor I expect you to have the answers. You were manipulated. So were we, but I need you to be honest with me. If something happens, just tell me. We will figure it out together. The hunter’s possess unlimited resources thanks to Cipher. Let us help you.” My head lowered. I was never one for a pity party, but I felt so out of my depth. Every day took me farther and farther from the life I imagined for me and Caleb. “I feel like such a fraud.” Daryn tipped my chin up. “Don’t do that. You are anything but. You just summoned dozens of animals. That is unheard of, but it isn’t your power that concerns me. It’s the choice to use it. Calling an animal is dangerous.” I frowned. “Why? They would never hurt me.” His hand moved to my neck and the heat from his palm warmed me, but I wasn’t ready to acknowledge the other feelings his touch evoked. Not right now, anyway. “Those animals will not hurt you, but they lack human reasoning and can’t tell a hunter from a demon. They see everyone as a threat, including Kaine and Indy. They may not attack me, but I don’t want anyone on the team ending up as a zombie dog’s appetizer.” I leaned my forehead against his chest. “I could call them, but my connection to the animals is different than with a human. They seem to have a pack mentality when I raise them together. We are linked, but only the other dead animals and me... maybe you are part of that pack. The dog would have attacked Kaine. I don’t know how to include the team in that connection.” “I don’t think you can. Our parafinai bond connects us, but the hunter link is different and only you have necro ability. I am not convinced they wouldn’t attack me if I wasn’t standing next to you, either.” I wanted to reassure him, but I couldn’t. I had no idea how the necro magic worked on animals and why they assumed everything was a threat to me. “Just so you know, I wasn’t trying to call them. It just happened when I felt threatened. My magic is unreliable. I am not sure the imbalance is getting worse, but it isn’t getting better.” A gust of wind sent leaves tumbling over my feet and I couldn’t help but feel I was just as erratic as the dead shrubs caressing my boots. “Tell me you will make a conscious effort not to call the animals again. We just don’t know what forces we are dealing with there. Let