Page 24 of Her Blood Revenge

‘Where are you going?’ Archie asks.

‘Fetching her damned snake.’

As I leave, I hear Archie shudder. ‘I fucking hate snakes.’

Chapter six

The Necromancer

It’s not real.

How I feel is. Not. Real.

It’s physical. That’s all. Just my body’s reaction to their skills. It’s the blood lust and the dark magic. There’s a connection between blood witches and whatever they are, especially for me. Thanks to a vow made by my mother. A vow to them all that they could have a blood witch of their own after the war. One they could claim.

A dark covenant she did not intend to keep, and definitely not one she intended to end up being between her ex-lover and her daughter.

The thought of the two of them is repulsive.

I hate them all. That’s all there is to it.

So why am I shifting uncomfortably with a desperate need to be satisfied after being bitten?

If only I could run. Never mind the claiming marks and the chain. That bastard air witch has me sealed in tight. I have made it to the border twice. Both times, I got blown back. And then I have to face “my consequences”.

I was led around by my chain until they felt they could trust me again.

Humiliating.

I sink my fingers deeper into the ground and focus on my breathing. As the moments pass, roots begin to grow over my palms and around my wrist. Thorns pierce my flesh. My bones creak as they all slither and grip. But the strength of the earth and all the life bustling below soothes any discomfort. I actually love the primal pain and raw force of the power flowing through me.

When I was changed and I used my blood to fuel my blood magic, I was a twisted version of myself. So consumed with a need to kill and destroy. I would have slaughtered anyone who stood in my way. They have forbidden me to use my blood magic with their claim marks. All three of them hold that command every second of every day. It’s a drain for them, but they fear for my soul.

Part of me doesn’t care what becomes of my soul. I wonder if I even have one anymore.

But when I’m connected to the earth, I feel like me. I feel the pain of my broken heart, but I prefer that to the rage of it.

I always said I would not let blood magic corrupt me. That I was not evil. That I would never become like the blood witches who killed and devastated so many.

I ask myself every day if killing Neve and Cole is worth the price of my humanity.

I think, at this point, I just hate everyone and everything.

Except this. Earth magic.

Earth witch. I’m an earth witch. Not a blood witch. I will take them down as an earth witch.

It’s raining a little—a hazy rainfall that feels more like mist than anything else. It’s nice. Cool and refreshing. My connection to the earth below is thankfully untarnished bythe blood magic I’ve been infected with. A relief, as I do so love my magic.

Giving the guys some of my blood hasn’t annoyed me as much as I thought it would have. I was planning on allowing it eventually. When I could be sure to be in a position where I can barter for it.

And now, I get my familiar back.

A win for me.

It’s about time I get something to go my way.

It didn’t take as long as I expected for them to force me to speak. I half expected them just to take my blood. To threaten me or use their claim mark on me to comply.

---