Page 29 of Their Blood Rite

I have minutes until the blood moon ends. If I refuse, they will kill me right here and now.

Every witch must belong to a coven.

As the wolf howls, my father cuts me and thrusts my hand over the fire. The choice is taken from me.

With a hiss, my blood hits the flames.

I look at the dirt.

It vibrates, rises and encircles my wrist.

‘Yes,’ my father whispers, staring at the dirt trail slowly dancing around my outstretched hand.

A hand settles on my cheek. When I look up, Cole is there, watching me like I’m the moon and stars.

‘My future bride!’ he calls out. ‘Ashe Nectan. Earth witch!’

The coven all cheer as he makes his declaration. But I don’t react. Unless it’s to threaten him, I’m unsure I can do anything.

‘Say the words, Ashe,’ Cole encourages, taking my hand from my father. ‘I swear to you, I will make everything right. I will never let you down again. I love you more than anything and will never hurt you again. Say the words and get your markings. Join the coven, and you will help me rule.’

The fire gives a second hiss. Then, a third.

The fire begins to spit.

Not embers. No. A wet droplet lands on my face. Warm and sticky. I feel and see red on the tips of my fingers. More spits out, like rain, showering them all in red.

In blood.

Frozen, I stare as more and more gets thrown outwards. Cole releases me and steps away, furiously wiping off the blood that continues to shower over him.

Then it stops. It all stops. The fire returns to normal. The forest falls silent.

The coven are all looking at me with terror. The females hold each other, and the males gather around them as if protecting them from something.

I look over my shoulder, expecting to see something terrifying.

There’s nothing there.

I look at the blood on my hand. It’s not dripping anymore but snaking around my hand and fingers, slithering like a serpent up my arm, just as the dirt did on my other.

‘BLOOD WITCH!’ Cole’s father roars, spit flying from his lips. He points at me. ‘GRAB HER!’

Chapter 5

Ablood witch? Impossible! I can’t be.

Cole’s father shoves Cole aside and throws his fist into my face. White hot pain has me on my arse, and the heel of his boot has me pinned.

Through the ringing of my ears, I hear yelling.

Each blink is a chore, but I know I'll never wake up if I give in to the pull of unconsciousness.

I’m dragged across the dirt, limp and unresponsive, and see my father.

The coward looks back over his shoulder as he sprints into the woods, abandoning me.

‘F-Father…’ I try.

---