Chapter 144

• "How dare you!" Ashley screamed at him. James jumped to his feet, holding and working his jaw around to see if it was broken. Ashley was still coming at him with such venom in her voice and stare that he hadn't seen in her in years. "I think that you're dead for three days, I lie in state waiting to die for another two or three, and then the first time I see you alive you fucking give me control of the whole damn coven?"
• By the time Ashley got to him, James was ready for the flurry of blows that came at inhuman speed. He ducked down like a boxer and expertly dodged or blocked each one. To him, Ashley was moving slow and James chalked another power up to his new state. When he found an opening, he grabbed her arms, pinning them behind her back. He pulled her close and looked down into her deep green eyes.
• Then he kissed her hard on the mouth. "I missed you and was worried about you too," he said softly. "Thanks for brining me back."