Page 107 of Hellish Witch

Killian towered over both the seated mages and the few stragglers still hurrying in around him as he reached the edge of the shelter, firelight warming his features.

“Oh my goddesses!” A squeaky feminine voice pierced the murmur. “Killian?!”

A stunning witch raced to my demon and leaped right for him. Killian’s strong arms caught the woman on impact, and her legs locked around his waist.

He frowned, lips parting, and her mouth crashed against his.

It was worse than being stabbed.

I felt every cut.

Every slice into my soul. Hacking right down to the vulnerable core.

To the stupid hope I’d been harbouring since I’d been a dumb teen, baking him a poisoned cake.

His wide eyes shot to me as he kissed her. With lips that had been on my skin just this morning.

The incubus’s hand wrapped around her throat and shoved back, dropping her, his tail lashing. “Get off me.”

But it was too late.

“Let the ceremony begin!” my father boomed.

I hadn’t realised I’d stood until the weight of too many eyes pressed on me. My claws stabbed my skin, blood slicking my palms, and I carefully folded myself back into the chair.

Darkness built and built in my chest. I tore my gaze off Killian’s thunderous expression as he arrowed towards me, but the image of his lips pressed against another was burned into my mind.

It wasn’t the first mentally scarring image of him I had, and apparently, it wouldn’t be the last.

Not because he was an incubus.

But because he wasKillian.

My father’s voice continued, “Tonight is a joyous occasion! Not only is it the coven’s initiation ceremony, but the goddesses have gifted me a powerful daughter, brimming with such potential.”

“Oh, Eve, I’m so sorry,” Alvie rushed out in a whisper. His hand reached over to squeeze my shoulder a fraction too hard. “I didn’t realise he was the sameKillianthat Melody’s been dating all these years.”

Years.

My chest caved in. Crumbling into the dark abyss that waited to devour it.

Magic buzzed beneath my skin.

“Ow!” Alvie jerked his hand back and frowned at the blood dewing on his fingertips like he’d stuck his hand into a thorn-bush.

A furious presence reached us, but I stood before Killian could get close, taking a step away.

Right to my father’s side.

“Eve, will you initiate into Sage Coven?” My father’s voice rolled out over the crowd, echoing through my brain and bouncing around.

My gaze clashed with Killian’s.

His chest heaved as he watched me, stormy eyes pleading. “Don’t do this. It’s not what you think. Please, sweetness.”

My eyes burned with the threat of tears, but I bared my fangs with a hiss. “Thanks for making this easier.”

Killian’s expression shuttered. A cold, blank mask descended over his carved features.

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