Page 111 of Hellish Witch

“No.” He cocked his head like he was considering something. “At least, not yet.”

The hairs on my nape rose.

“What are we doing here?” I murmured carefully, stopping my friendly expression from slipping.

Alvie faced me, a serious mask dropping over his charming features. He squeezed, pressing my bones too close. “I need to borrow some of your power.”

“What? Why?” I breathed, heart thudding.

The forest seemed to curl in around us, leaves whispering eerily in the breeze.

His eyes hardened at my reluctance, grip tightening further. “To strengthen our coven. I told you before, I’m our chief protector here.”

Not according to my father.

But Alvie had tried to protect me in the woods. From a terrifying, blood-drenched demon. Whatever weird vibe I was getting was probably from my newfound coven binding and my stupid, broken heart.

“Okay… Anything to help the coven,” I said, offering a tentative smile.

He finally released my aching hand, lifting his fingertips to my face. “Thank you, Eve. I knew you’d do the right thing.”

I held back the urge to flinch as he stroked my cheek.

“Of course,” I whispered.

Fantasies of ripping his hand off and shoving it down his throat played through my mind.

Too many men thought they had a right to touch something just because they wanted to. I’d lived it more than enough times.

“I won’t let anything happen to you, Eve. We have a connection,” he murmured, and everywhere his gaze roamed felt sticky.

Something wasn’t right.

I peered through my blood-red lashes as he cupped my cheek.

“I know, I feel it too…” The lie spilled out on instinct, and I traced my lower lip with the tip of my tongue.

He followed the movement, and his eyes dropped to the scant cleavage peeking above my jumper’s neckline. Hints of his soapy desire underscored his hooded expression. Energy rolled through me, wisps of his clean lavender flavour giving me a boost.

“But why would I need protection here?” I asked, nuzzling my cheek firmer into his hand, even as my stomach roiled.

He stroked through my curls like he was petting an animal. I fought the urge to hiss at the invasive touch.

“You won’t.” His grin twisted into an arrogant smirk. “Not when I’m coven elder.”

I sucked in a breath.

His hands snapped around my wrists, tightening painfully. “Meos sumere. Meum est proprium,” he chanted in a fevered rush.

Power bubbled up from my chest. It poured down my arms.

And into him.

Sunlight ignited the forest. Alvie became a supernova in its centre.

I yanked on his crushing hold, but something more than human strength locked us together. Energy drained from me so fast, I swayed like a drunk, crashing into Alvie’s front.

My chest heaved as I thrashed against him, fighting to free myself.

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