Keeping my pulse even and my head lulled for this entire villainous monologue nearly had me falling asleep.
Witch on a stick.
How many more big bads do I have to deal with in a lifetime?
I kept my hand bunched in a fist, thankful that my protection ring wasn’t discovered. I’ve never been more grateful for a piece of jewelry in my life or a charm that hides it from the world.
When Oz tries to sink his teeth into my throat, I know that it’s now or never. I slowly lift up my head and see Warin’s face, blood staining his cheeks as he looks me over. His eyes glancing down to my ring and then back to where Oz holds my hair.
“Now,” he shouts, as total pandemonium takes place.
Vampires and stakes are zooming past my head at unbelievable speeds, it’s unnerving and I know I need to get out of the crosshairs. The human guards are shooting off their crossbows, but that doesn’t seem to last long as Samantha rips their throats out one by one.
I make a mental reminder to not get on her bad side as I work my way out of my own confines. For the first time in my life, the ability to use fire finally comes in handy, as I burn away theropes that were holding my ankles and wrists. I singe my skin slightly and hiss through the pain.
I’m not sure what to do when I’m free from the ropes, but sitting here like an idiot for sure isn’t the answer. Sebastian and Warin are fighting Oz, while Achille takes on Joyce, Samantha joining that fight once all the humans are out of the picture.
Though I’m very anti-killing, I understand how necessary their deaths are. I do my best to not look over at the soldiers as I scurry behind some brewing tanks, holding on to cool metal as I watch in horror as they all fight each other.
The fight against Joyce is going better. With Achille’s size and Samantha’s quickness, I have no doubts that either of them is in danger.
With Oz, though? I’m not sure what to think. It’s almost like he’s toying with Sebastian and Warin.
“I’m older than all of you in this room combined. In the end, I’ll get what I want. It’s just a shame so much blood needs to be spilled,” Oz says, his dark eyes glancing over at me with a smirk. “Maybe when you’re dead, I’ll turn her, anyway.”
Warin lets out a frustrated scream, he and Sebastian rushing him at the same time. Oz is faster than any vampire I’ve ever seen, and stronger, too. Shoving them both off him, tossing their bodies into some of the brewing materials.
They’re momentarily distracted as Achille holds Joyce’s arms behind her back, he’s grunting with the strength it takes. Samantha cups the vampire’s chin, grinning in her face as she presses the tip of the stake against her chest.
“Bye bye, Joyce,” Samantha coos as she shoves the stake into her heart.
It’s just like that night at Howl and the Moon. She quickly shrivels up, blood and guts everywhere. My wand is now in the goop that was formally known as Joyce. Samantha picks it up and looks over at me, throwing it in my direction.
I grimace as I pick it up and hold it close in my fist.
“Four against one, that seems hardly fair,” Oz complains, as he lets out a piercing whistle.
It’s then that nearly eight more vampires enter the brewery. Oz backs away from the fray, letting his minions attack the vampires that are here to save me.
There’s no way they can win, not against this many. If I don’t figure out a way to help, they’re dead along with myself. I can see the fear in Warin’s eyes as he glances over at me mid-fight. He hasn’t given up, but he knows that this is over.
No. It’s time to do something great. It’s time to prove that I’m a formidable witch.
I think back to my skills, the way I saw Warin’s memories, the way I fought Conner off. The emotion inside of me is raw and dangerous. My life is just getting started and there’s no way I’m going to let this asshole take it away from me.
There’s no way with so many vampires that I can direct the pain to specific ones. I haven’t practiced enough for that. But I try with all my might to work with intention, letting my magic know who’s here to do harm and who’s a friend.
Every ounce of me slips into their minds quietly, not lingering to search their memories or find information. I can feel their thoughts, but my magic doesn’t touch them. There’s a chance I’m in Achille’s or Sebastian’s minds, but I don’t let that stop me as I take a deep breath.
I put every ounce of energy into causing pain, sending alarm bells in their mind, causing chaos. My eyes are cinched shut, but I can hear the wake of my magic. Bodies are hitting the floor and vampires are writhing in pain. I don’t stop, and continue my assault on their minds.
Some of the moaning stops, and I can feel the exhaustion deep in my bones as I shudder, no longer able to hold the spell.
I slouch against the cool metal as dark eyes peer down at me.
“Hmm. Maybe you are more valuable left intact. I haven’t seen a witch take down that many vampires in a long time. In fact, I ripped out her throat. That was fun,” he says, tilting his head at me. “Tell me, witch, was he worth it?”
I glance around the room, not seeing or hearing anyone else, and tears fill my eyes. He can’t be gone. We can’t lose everything, not when we just found it. I know it was messy and it wouldn’t be easy, but I liked that he was difficult. It was fun bantering back and forth to each other. All my life I wanted a great love, and I finally found him. Life doesn’t seem very much like living anymore.
