Page 118 of Hellish Witch

“You know it was Alvie who let the hunters in?” I rasped, surprised he wasn’t attacking us.

“I’m told he attacked you while you were trying to stop the hunters.” His upper lip curled in disgust. “That boy has been after my position for years. Thankfully, my powerful daughter was here to protect her family.” His lips stretched into a violent smile.

For a moment, I felt my own tip up in response. I’d never had a real parent, let alone one that would be proud of me.

The empty reality in my chest seemed to pulse, and I bit my lower lip, realising it wasn’t just my magic I could no longer feel. I lifted my wrist, inspecting the smooth skin. The little cluster of sage leaves had disappeared, along with my powers.

“You stupid girl,” my father snapped. Any hope I’d harboured at finding my birth father shattered with the look of disgust on his features as he gaped at my bare wrist. “What use are you to me magicless?!”

Killian moved before I could stop him, his hand clamping my father’s throat. “Another word, and it will be your last.”

Pain stuttered my breath as my father’s words sank in like sharpened blades.

All I’d ever wanted was to matter. To be worth something. To belong.

Moonlight dappled one side of Killian’s blood-spattered face through the trees. His handsome features honed to a deadly snarl as he strangled the gasping mage.

The coven watched on in silence, no one lifting a finger to protect their leader.

Until now, I’d been looking in all the wrong places. I didn’t want to be here with a coven full of strangers.

I wanted to go home with Killian.

Back to my real family.

Killian glanced at me over his semi-flared wing. “What is he talking about, sweetness?”

“I… I won’t need magic lessons anymore.”

His black feathers ruffled against his back. “And why not?”

“Because I gave it all up. For you.” I smiled up at him, cutting him off as he opened his mouth to protest. “And I’d do it again.”

“Eve…” His harsh expression softened. “Why would you do that? I’ve been willing to die for you since the first time I saw you smile.”

Tears sprang to my eyes again, and I hastily swiped them away. “I know, you dumb brute. But it’s not your death I want, it’s the rest of our lives. Together.”

A broad grin split his lips.

“Come on, Kill. He’s not worth it.” I held my hand out to the incubus, and he dropped the coven elder, letting the old mage crumple to the dirt, spluttering for air. “Let’s go home.”

Killian threaded his blood-slicked fingers with mine. “Anything for you, sweetness.”

He pulled me against his chest, the comforting beat of his new heart soothing the ragged edges of my strung-out nerves.

My demon hauled me into his arms, spread his wings, and launched us towards the stars.

Wings took flight in my heart and soared with us.

Epilogue

Two weeks later…

A hiss of laughter pierced the sunny morning.

I shifted on my knees in the short grass and shot a glare at the furball mocking me. “Really, Cookie? It’s not that funny.”

My enormous hellcat familiar sprawled on a plush fur blanket. I’d laid it in the sun behind my cabin just for her to be extra comfortable while I worked.

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