“Don’t you want to run?” The woman’s velvety voice dripped past her crimson lips. “It makes things so much more fun when they run. And be sure to scream too.”
I swallowed hard.
“Give me the girl and you can leave,” the witch offered.
“No.” I set Edithiya down and motioned her behind me. She took off running toward the dead end and skidded to a stop. Her fists beat against gray-painted wood that blended into the stone walls.
“Well, I guess you will do for now.” One corner of the witch’smouth quirked. “Though I suppose I could kill you and take the girl anyhow.”
“No,” a familiar voice boomed. Dolcie stepped from the street and into the alley, stalking toward the witch. If she were half as skilled as Sky, we might have a chance. “You’ll leave my daughter alone.” Dolcie disappeared.
“Oh, fun party trick.” The witch turned to face me. “I've always enjoyed hunting down the ones who wield distance, it keeps things … exciting.”
“You have no use for my daughter.” Dolcie’s voice bounced against the alley walls behind me.
“That’s right—” I started.
“Take the woman instead,” Dolcie interrupted. “She is King Grave’s lover, and he will pay handsomely for her.”
I gasped. “Bitch!”
“Indeed,” the witch agreed with a grin.
Edithiya’s small sobs disappeared behind the click of a door, and I didn’t need to turn around to know I was left alone. Alone and without a weapon.
Just as I lost the little faith I had, wide flapping wings beat overhead. My heart jumped, knowing Col had found me. Emotions soared when I found Dysis hovering instead. Her green eyes were fierce with rage, and her screeching was hideous.
“Aww look, your beast is here to save you,” the witch crooned. “How cute.”
“She’ll rip your fucking head off,” I snapped. “So maybe you should rethink your plans.”
“I think not.” The woman rushed me, throwing me back onto the ground.
I pushed at her, but she didn’t budge. She was so much stronger, despite me being twice her size. The woman straddled me and pressed her burned staff across my neck. What felt like hours passed as I struggled to convince air to enter myvacant lungs. She’d kill me and leave my wyvern as the only witness.
Using all of my effort, I bucked my hips, forcing her weight to shift. I sent my knee sailing up until it met bone in between her thighs. She groaned, but only became more infuriated. Her staff met the side of my face a breath later. Blood pooled inside my mouth on impact.
The witch stood, giving me only a moment of reprieve. Pain, hot like flame, echoed through my body as she rained down a beating with her stick like no other. Thick wood whipped across my forearms and the tops of my hands as I tried to protect my face.
Dysis, wild and angry, snapped at the assailant, but couldn't get close enough.
I curled onto my side, and the woman’s focus shifted. Strikes landed on my body, fabric splitting under the assault. Wood met bare skin. I curled tighter into the ground, leaving my back exposed. Cool air kissed my burning flesh.
When the beating paused, I glanced under my arm. The witch had stepped back and was appraising the lashings she’d dispensed.
“Had enough?”
“Yes,” I cried as I tried to stand, but my bones were frayed and broken. “Please. You don’t need me to get what you want.”
“Oh, but I do,” she replied coolly. “Willingly or not, you’ll be going to Oras with me.”
Pain echoed through every inch of my body. “I’ll go. Please, just—no more.”
Dysis screeched in protest, and I silently willed her to leave. If she were harmed, I couldn’t forgive myself.
The beast screeched once more. My tattered clothes fluttered from the gusts of her flapping wings. Before I could stand, the witch pulled me up by a fistful of my hair. My knees buckled the moment the tension released, and I nearly collapsed.
“You’re taking all the fun out of this. At least struggle a little.” The witch straddled her staff and gestured toward the back. “Hop on, princess … or shall I say, future queen?”
