Page 100 of Hellish Witch

Killian muttered something under his breath—probably not very complimentary to our mage host. I pulled my hand from Alvie’s, and Killian planted himself right beside me, radiating heat and threat.

The mage raised his hand, glowing with sunshine trapped beneath his skin, and whispered mysterious words I couldn’t quite catch.

Magic rose as a crackling static sensation. It flared brightly for a moment, washing over me. Feathers brushed my back as Killian’s wings rustled, flexing and tightening beside me.

As quick as it had come, the sensation fled, leaving me oddly energised.

“There, that should do it.” Alvie stepped past the line of dark stones and beckoned us to follow. “Come on, I’m sure thecoven elder is already on his way to intercept us with the new signatures registered, especially with one being non-mage.” He glanced meaningfully at Killian.

With a deep inhale, I stepped past the innocuous line of stones, bracing for the sharp bite of magic. It smoothed over me instead, like a gentle stream. A warm, welcoming feeling enveloped me, nothing like I’d have expected from a spell designed to keep people out. It almost felt familiar, like a hug from a friend.

A rustling clued me in that we weren’t alone.

The barrier’s magic released me, and Killian stepped beside me, already laser-focused on the source of the noise.

“Wow, that was fast,” I murmured, watching the stone-lined path winding between tall trees.

A small group of mages hurried down it towards us.

A lean, middle-aged male led the charge. Despite the towering enforcer beside me, the man’s focus locked onto me, unwavering.

Something about him held my attention too.

A smattering of grey threaded through wine-red hair, his short and sensible haircut just long enough to curl at the ends. Neat black slacks and a soft-looking button-down shirt gave him an almost casual style, but tension furrowed his hawkish features.

For some strange reason, he seemed familiar. Almost like I knew he was the source of that welcoming magic.

Killian bristled, claws splaying ready at his sides.

“Ah, Coven Elder, you’re just in time for me to introduce you to our new guests.” Alvie stepped aside and swept a hand towards us. “This is Eve and her acquaintance. Eve here is in need of our help with her healing magic.”

The coven elder seemed unable to hear anything the younger mage said though. He didn’t take his gaze off me fora second, merlot eyes blazing with some unknown intensity. “Lilabell?”

I froze, everything in me icing over at the name on his lips.

“No,” I croaked. “But how did you know my mother?”

Chapter 35

The coven elder turned as white as bone.

An almost imperceptible shift rippled through the handful of mages clustered around their leader along the stone-marked trail.

Killian’s wings twitched beside me. Tension poured off him. If anyone so much as sparked, he’d be on them in a blink.

“You…look just like her,” the coven elder murmured.

I swallowed thickly. I’d heard that my whole childhood. My aunts had beaten me mercilessly for it, trying to punish me for stealing their beloved sister’s face as well as her life.

“So I’ve heard.” My voice came out as a dark rasp. I eyed him with the sinking sense of impending doom.

I justknewwhat was happening here.

“How…” He swallowed hard, voice trembling. “How old are you, dear?”

“Twenty-two.”

“Yesterday, in fact,” Killian hissed, tail rising aggressively over his shoulder, stinger peeking from the arrowed tip to glint in the dulling afternoon light.

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