Page 53 of Destiny of the Witch

This ended today. I was going to destroy that damned harkan if it was the last thing I did.

Chapter 47

The pendant led us to the mahogany doors. I paused before I went in to reach out and feel Bastion. He was focused and frustrated; without immunity to the chimera’s fire on his side, she was far harder to defeat.

I bit my lip. Bastion would shout at me but…

‘Frogmatch, go and help Bastion with the chimera.’

The imp looked at me. ‘He won’t be happy with that.’

‘Maybe not, but he’ll still be alive. How long can you stay super-sized?’

‘Not much longer,’ he admitted. ‘Five minutes maybe, tops.’

‘So don’t waste them with me. Go!’ He hesitated a beat before he obeyed me.

I turned to Benji. ‘In my vision, you were rescuing the truth seeker because we need her for some reason. Rescue her and bring her to me.’

Benji frowned. ‘I don’t want to leave you, Am Bam.’

‘I concur,’ Benjamin said. ‘It is not wise to leave you unescorted, Miss Amber.’

‘Wise or not, there is a reason the Goddess showed me the vision. Pop Ria down and go!’ They didn’t argue again, just propped Ria against the wall, turned and sank into the bricks.

I blew out a deep breath. Bastion would be really mad at me when he realised I had once again shaken off my guards. If we lived past this, I’d make sure to say sorry in a way that ensured he forgave me. We still hadn’t done that thing he’d suggested that one time – I could try that. Maybe he’d forgive me then.

I reached for the brass knob on the door, turned it and walked into the library.

My father, Oscar and Mum were sitting down around a fire, looking for all the world as if they were having a chat. Oscar’s rage filled eyes gave the game away – that and the way they darted pointedly back to the door behind me. He couldn’t move but he was trying to warn me as best he could. He wanted me to turn around and walk away. I gave him a wry smile. Not today, Dad.

I met my father’s eyes. ‘Your other daughter is unconscious. She’s propped against the wall outside.’

Hisgaze turned furious, though not with me. ‘She hadonejob to do,’ he groused. ‘One. Stay under the radar; remain hidden. How hard is that to do?’

‘Apparently pretty hard when you’re a headstrong teenager.’ I looked at him accusingly. ‘You’ve fucked her up.’ I rarely swore, but sometimes an expletive was needed. This was one of those occasions.

‘Language,’ Mum objected, with a stern glance.

‘She wanted to kill her own mother,’ I explained to her. ‘Then she wanted to kill me to take my place and bond with the harkan.’

Mum glowered. ‘You’re right. Shaun did fuck her up. See?’ she said to him. ‘You would have screwed up Amber too if I’d given you half a chance.’

‘Ilovedyou,’ he growled at her. ‘And you threw me away and blackmailed me!’

‘Bullshit!’ my mother cursed. ‘You had a whole other family, Shaun. Louisa, remember her? And your damned kids, Rebecca and Edward?’

‘And Meredith,’ I interjected. ‘He married her too. Shaun is big into polygamy.’

‘Don’t call me Shaun!’ he spat. ‘Call me Dad.’

‘No,’ I refused flatly. ‘That’s reserved for Oscar.’

‘Oh!’ Mum’seyes filled with tears as she turned her head to look lovingly at Oscar, ‘I’m so pleased.’

Oscar smirked at Shaun. ‘Both your women love me.’ He was trying to goad him but into doing what, I wasn’t sure.

I needed to get this back on track. ‘Where’s the harkan?’ I demanded.

---