Page 25 of Her Blood Revenge

They didn’t, and I’m surprised by that. I think of them as many things. Patient is not one of them.

It’s the best thing for them to be fed. I need them strong if they’re going to help distract the unseelie as I kill Neve and slaughter Cole.

Damn. I’m bloodthirsty in more ways than one now. Desperate to kill. To feed. To gain control of… what? Myself? My freedom? Others?

Play it smart. It will be easier to kill Neve and her unseelie with their help.

I can’t run from them. I can’t hide from myself. And I won’t become a dark monster in the search for my revenge.

Someone clears their throat. I open my eyes and blink in surprise.

The sun has set. The stars are shining, and the air has turned bitterly cold.

Sat opposite me is Shaw, cross-legged and watching me with intrigue.

When I attempt to pull my hand away from the soil, I can’t. I’m covered in vines and roots up to my shoulders. Some have even started to travel down my chest.

He looks from them to me with a raised brow.

‘What on earth are you doing?’

‘I was praying,’ I reply. ‘To the earth god.’

‘Praying for what? To be smothered by vegetation?’

The countless roots and vines unfurl, leaving behind a trail of welts on my flesh.

‘I was praying for the strength to kill you and your little air witch friend so I can get out of here. How long have I been out here?’ I ask.

‘All day.’

‘How long have you been sitting here?’

‘All day. I’ve been watching over you. You were somewhere else entirely. I felt safer knowing you were not alone.’

He tightens the cloak he must have draped around my shoulders further around my neck, taking his time to sweep my hair from beneath the collar.

‘I will remind Leo to steer clear of you so he doesn’t end up choked by a rose bush.’

‘I’m not looking to kill him. I’m not evil like you.’

‘And I thank you for that. I do not want you evil. Do you feel better after communing with your earth god?’ He takes my hand in his and slowly runs his thumb over the marks left there.

His kindness unsettles me. I’m just waiting for the act to slip and the nasty witch killer to resurface. I would rather it be there all the time. At least then, I would know where I stand.

‘Alittle better. But disappointed that he didn’t give me any tips on how to get away from you.’

‘Perhaps because your god knows you are better off with us. I have something for you.’

He raises his other hand, and I feel fit to burst with joy.

My familiar is happily wrapped around his wrist, her tongue darting out in my direction as she looks straight at me.

‘Hello, you,’ I smile, reaching out to take her. She slides from him and slithers to me, circling my forearm as I lift her to my eye level. Her little nose meets mine, and our eyes close as they touch. ‘Have they been looking after you?’

I feel a ripple of attitude ooze from her. She’s pissed off too. That much is clear.

‘We put her in a nice and safe enclosure as you recovered,’ Shaw tells me. ‘She was a little annoyed with us at first. Archie got a nip a couple of weeks ago when he suggested we feed her to one of the Selkies. He spent several hours foaming at the mouth. He was only joking.’

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