Page 50

I run toward it, sweeping it up as I turn back toward Victor. He’s a few yards behind me, bent over and clutching at his injured leg. The knife still juts from the muscle of his leg and blood leaks from around the top of the blade.

Then, I realize where he is. He’s too close to the garden gate. If I try to get past him, he’ll be able to grab me.

“Don’t come any closer,” I snarl out when he takes a limping step in my direction.

He scoffs as he takes in the hatchet in my hands. “You aren’t strong enough to swing that.”

He’s not completely wrong. I’m not as strong as Hunter, and the hatchet is heavy, but I’m not weak either. I know I can swing the weapon with enough power to seriously injure him.

The timing and angle will have to be just right.

The burning ball of fear and anger in my belly continues to grow, the heat moving out to my limbs. My chest heaves as I try to breathe through the heavy, hot feeling. The hatchet handle grows hot in my hands until the metal head begins to smoke.

“Witch,” Victor hisses out as he eyes the glowing hatchet blade and comes closer. “You would use magic on me? You will burn for this!”

“Only if they find your body,” I reply with a smirk. “Otherwise, how will anyone know?”

He yells at me, loud and long, and tries to charge me. But his leg gives way after the second step. He drags it behind him as he keeps moving, much slower now.

I bide my time, keeping the hatchet at the ready. When he gets close enough, he tries to reach out and jerk it from my grip, but I’m ready for him.

I swing the heavy weapon, but my timing is off. Instead of burying the blade into this thigh just below the knife, I hit the side of his knee with the handle.

Judging by his answering scream, it’s still an effective strike.

The hatchet slips from my numb fingers and tumbles to the ground. I want to grab it again, but Victor is too close. I can’t risk him getting his hands on me. Instead, I run to the gate and shove my way through. Just when I think I’m going to escape, a heavy weight hits me, tackling me to the ground. I wrestle free and roll to my feet once again, facing the new opponent already knowing who it was.

Heston is the only man I know who smokes cherry tobacco and smells like old leather just beneath it.

“You bastard!” I scream at him. “How could you do this? I swear, if it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to make you pay!”

My stepfather lunges for me, his fingers closing hard around my biceps. He shakes me so hard my head snaps back and forth. The violent motion sets off my headache, and my gorge rises.

I manage to bend over just before I vomit all over his lower trouser legs and boots. Heston drops me with a noise of disgust, staring in disbelief at the mess on his legs and feet.

“I should have known it was you following me in the woods,” I sneer. “You’re too cowardly to come at me straight on.”

I rub my chest as I back away from him. The heat inside me is becoming almost unbearable. I don’t know what the problem is, but I feel as though I’m about to burst into flames.

Victor limps up beside Heston, a sneer on his face.

Knowing I’m outnumbered, but still refusing to give up, I reach out and grab a good-sized branch from the ground. It’s not heavy enough to truly hurt either of them, but it will definitely sting if I hit them in the head or in the balls.

My lungs burn, not with exertion but with heat.

What is happening to me?

“What are you waiting for?” Victor asks Heston. “Go get her!”

I narrow my eyes at my stepfather, feeling sweat gathering around my eyelashes. My eyes begin to burn and tear, but I don’t bother to try and wipe them away. I can’t be sure what’s happening, but Victor looks worried.

It’s enough for me to feel a flare of hope.

Heston leaps at me, and I swing the branch. It glances off his shoulder rather than his head, but the thunk and his answering grunt are beyond satisfying. At least until his hand closes around my throat, cutting off my air. I fight his hold, scratching at his eyes, but he backs me up and slams me against a tree trunk. My abused head meets the bark and my vision blanks out.

I can’t control my body.

I’m awake, but unable to do anything at all.