Page 99 of Her Blood Revenge

The power of the coven leader.

A twig snaps in the treeline, and I slam the book shut, clutching it to my chest protectively.

‘Are we alone?’

‘It’s a rabbit,’ Dorian says with a wave of his hand. ‘You think Athir sent the grimoire to you?’

He surveys it with suspicion.

‘The purple vines. The aura of the magic. I’m positive he sent it to me.’ I fill with hope as I hold it to my chest and look up at Dorian. ‘He’s my father. And he’s going to help me defeat Neve! This is where he saved my life and gave me to his coven.’

‘You truly believe Athir is your father?’ he asks with a raised brow.

‘It sounds insane. But it’s a reasonable conclusion. After all, to be made into what I am, I had to be more than simply a witch, right? And the daughter of a god would undoubtedly make me different enough to be able to become a blood-drinking monster. Plus, I possess both earth magic and blood magic.’

The revelation fills me with hope and joy. And a sense of strength. The daughter of a god. And of Athir himself.

I coverthe small bones back up and rest my palms on the soil, lowering my forehead to the dirt so I can offer the lost child a prayer.

‘To the endless life below. The tallest trees above. I ask you, Father Earth, Athir, watch over this child as she dwells in the endless eternity of life beyond.’

Vines and roots grow up my wrist and forearm as I offer my prayer. As the magic below hears me and responds. Acknowledging my prayer and respect.

Acknowledging my grief.

From the ground, white baby breath flowers sprout.

‘Do you see that? A gift.’ I look up at Dorian. ‘It’s Baby Breath. There is magic in the bloom.’

‘Good magic?’

‘All earth magic is good magic, Dorian.’ His frown tells me he disagrees. ‘My coven says that Baby Breath is a gift of protection from a young soul passed on,’ I tell him. I cross my legs and sweep my hair over my shoulder. I plait it and tie it with some roots I grow. As I take the baby’s breath and place it in the plait, I can’t help but notice the magic softly rippling from each piece. ‘We carry the gift with us, and that way, the protection travels with us. Here.’ I hold out a flower to him.

‘I am not putting flowers in my hair.’

‘Then put it in your pocket. Just carry it with you.’

He looks at it as if it could attack any second. That, or it may be covered in shit.

‘Just take it, Dorian,’ I groan. ‘Don’t snub a gift from Athir.’

‘We should not trust your god.’

‘These are the same vines that saved us from your old mistress and are now offering us protection and an earth grimoire.’

He continues to hesitate.

‘I’m an earth witch. This is what I do. What I know. Take it.’ I hold it out for him again, frustration building at his open distaste.

‘Fine.’ He takes the flower and slips it into his pocket. ‘Happy?’

‘Yes. Thank you.’ I kiss his cheek and bury my feet into the dirt.

‘What are you doing now?’

‘I read it in the notes Shaw gave me before.’

I channel the power, and I speak the words in my mind, attempting to perfect them first before I pronounce them aloud.

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