Page 54 of Warrior Witch
“Does anyone have a charger? My phone is dead,” I said.
Hendrix looked at me like I was crazy. “Is now really the time?”
“Absolutely.” I grinned. “I need to make a call.”
July 16th, 1674
My children are dead.
One by one, I discovered their lifeless bodies, each of them drained of magic, and had my heart ripped out.
My lovers are torn. Some prepare for war, yearning to avenge our children, while others want to wait and grieve our losses. I am tired of grieving. My tears have dried, and all I have left is the pit of anguish at my core.
I do not wish to take my lover’s choices from them, but this battle is mine. I allowed this darkness to encroach upon our land for years, and as a result, my darling children paid the price. If I do not act now, the coven’s future will truly be lost.
Memories I thought long forgotten plague my mind. Instances where I could have prevented these tragedies, had I only been more forceful. Been more willing to do what was needed. Yet instead, I remained under the misguided illusion that peaceful resolutions were possible. How disgustingly foolish of me.
My children’s killer sought my fury, and by the goddess, he shall have it.
Morfran. The so-called sorcerer of Spells Hollow.
Every time I close my eyes, I see his wicked grin. The devious smile he wore as each of my children’s bodies were carried away. Cries filled the air, but not from him. He simply stared into my broken heart and promised me it was only the beginning.
Our seer has predicted a blood moon tomorrow night, and Morfran has requested a meeting in the town square. I’m sure it is no coincidence. This is where he’ll enact his plot, whatever that may be. He wants me standing at my most powerful before he attempts to bring me to my knees. But as I’m sure he knows, with my children gone and my lovers fighting amongst each other over our next steps, I am also at my most vulnerable.
This morning, I ordered the townspeople to flee. A few families, notably those with children, have taken their belongings, and now head for New Amsterdam. However, many are reluctant to abandon their homes. Though I wish they would reconsider, I do not blame them. Our families built these homes as a sanctuary from our oppressors. It feels so wrong for them to start over again, but hopefully they won’t have to.
When the moon rises tonight, I shall traverse the catacombs beneath the town and reinforce the wards wherever I can. In the event of my death, they should ensure the safety of my witches. Or at least, delay the destruction long enough for them to escape.
My hand shakes as I write this. I fear not only for the coven, but for the generations to come. By murdering children, Morfran has made it clear that my generation of witches shall not be the only ones made to suffer. However, I swear I shall give my life before another soul is harmed by his darkness.
The Nightshade line may now end with me, but one way or another, I will ensure my coven lives on.
Harlow
No one was going to take my new family from me, and I was going to cut a biker bitch who tried.
Gravel crunched beneath my boots as I stomped across the parking lot and headed toward the highway. I didn’t want to chance Addie seeing what was about to go down, because if the power running through my limbs was anything to go by, I was about to stop the hearts of every single one of those men. All I wanted was to be a good role model for her, and even I knew that committing mass murder wasn’t something you should teach a kid.
Maybe when she was older.
Lightning arced from my fingertips, and I sent up a silent prayer of thanks that the dirt road didn’t conduct electricity. A blackout at the hotel would have given me away for sure.
As I reached the highway, I closed my eyes, listening for the rumble on the breeze that would announce the arrival of the cavalry.
A small, insecure part of me whispered that maybe Bruin really had betrayed me. That maybe, even now, he waited for the signal to come and finish his mission in front of a live audience. I wasn’t sure I had it in me to hurt him the way I intended to hurt his club, and that thought alone was enough to make me realize how much the asshole had grown on me.
A fine vibration trembled up through my feet before that deep growl I’d been waiting for broke the peaceful silence and royally fucked up my day.
Planting my feet in the middle of the road, I folded my arms and pasted a nasty smirk on my face. Show no fear. After that, there was nothing left to do but wait.
On the horizon, small black dots resolved themselves into two long lines of motorcycles. Naww… I guessed Kevy-bear was scared of being beaten by a girl again and had brought all his friends to try to prevent it. Too bad for him, I didn’t know the meaning of surrender.
The MC closed in fast and skidded to a stop in front of me with a shower of gravel that scuffed my boots and bounced painfully off my cheeks.
“Well, well, well. Fancy seeing an ass like you in a place like this,” I drawled, running my eyes slowly over his posse before focusing on Mr Big, Dumb, and Insecure himself.
“We came to watch you die, bitch. I hope you’ve made your funeral arrangements.” He hefted his sweaty bulk off his poor bike, mutton chops quivering with barely suppressed hatred.