Page 127 of Her Blood Revenge

Their ways were wrong. Their views all fucked up, and their brutality was a stain on the nature of what earth magic truly is.

But they did not deserve to die like that. To be fuel for some spell my mother cast.

Their blood resides in hell. Do their spirits, too? Was it only blood witches that swam in those waters?

‘What did she do to them?’ I ask, my voice barely a whisper. ‘What was that spell?’

‘I will tell you everything when I see you.’ He tilts up my chin. ‘Directions, Pixie. Where are you and Archie?’

I tell him of the goblins. Of the strange pool, this unusual coven and that Leo is here. He listens to every word, not rushing me or getting frustrated when I struggle to hold in the sobs ripping through my chest.

‘We’ll be with you soon. Until then, I need you to do something for me.’ He wipes my tears away with his thumb.

‘What?’ I ask.

‘Stay awake until I get to you. You must not dream. You must do all you can to keep the image of the goddess Hel from your mind. Do you understandme?’

Unease swirls in my stomach. He’s worried. Frightened, even. That makes this all so much worse.

‘Dreams can’t hurt me.’

He offers a sympathetic smile. ‘Haven’t you learnt anything in your time with me? Dreams can do worse than kill you, Pixie. They can destroy you.’ He raises his brow. ‘Do not sleep. Am I understood? And no blood magic. And if possible, no earth magic either.’

‘No earth magic?’ I pull back. ‘Why? It’s what I am!’

‘And that is what worries me. Please, Pixie? Promise me.’

I nod as he wipes yet more tears. One day. I can do what he wants for one day.

‘We’re coming for you. Stay with Arch and trust no one but him.’

‘Okay.’

He goes to sit back. I pull him in, and my lips meet his. He sinks into our kiss. It’s slow and deep. Not fiery and full of passion, but comfort. He’s comforting me. His tongue caresses mine, and not one piece of movement is rushed. It’s slow and tender. The sound of our lips meeting is mixed with the soft sobs I can’t help but let out.

‘I’ll be with you soon.’

‘Hurry.’

I want him here with me. I want all three of them with me. Surrounding me. To climb into a tight space with me so I can fall asleep feeling safe and wanted.

‘We won’t stop until we reach you,’ he says. ‘I promise.’

He kisses me once more.

I sit with a gasp.A faint image of him returning to those black shores lingers in my mind like a whisp of smoke that quickly fades.

My eyes scan for Archie, and I find him straight away, sitting on the opposite side of a fire pit. He’s watching me and our surroundings, entirely on guard. He sees me awake and smiles.

His smile soon fades when he sees the tears brimming in my eyes. He’s by my side in a second, my face in his hands as he searches my face for a reason behind the pain.

‘Pix? Are they okay? What’s happened?’

I fall into his chest and cry, grabbing his clothes. Pawing at them in desperation as I wail.

‘What the fuck has happened?’ He tries to lift my head, but I need him to surround me. To block the world out.

He scoops me up in his arms and starts walking. I hear him kick open a door, and we enter a house.

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