Page 2 of Hellish Witch

“Don’t be sour, pretty demon,” he chuckled, the sound edged in hysteria as he let the door slam shut behind him. “You’re not all used up yet.”

How had I not noticed the evil crawling beneath his pretty exterior when he’d first summoned me?

I’d never forgive myself.

You’d think my brutal upbringing would have come in useful for once, and given me trust issues or at least a healthy dose of scepticism, but apparently the only thing my cruel succubus aunts had beaten into me was stupidity.

“Oh, goodie, come here and let’s find out, shall we?” I grinned, running my tongue along a fang to draw his gaze, desperately hoping he couldn’t hear the shake in my tone.

As much as I wanted to, I was in no state to take on a mage. Even a rodent like Fenton. He seemed ruffled, like he hadn’t been enjoying his time here either. I hoped the very monsters he’d sold me to had turned on him too.

His pouty lips twisted into a smirk, and he glanced at the key card hanging off a hook right beside the door he’d burst through.

“Everyone is so fucking stupid,” he muttered, grabbing the white plastic and stepping towards my cell.

My lungs squeezed at the thought of him letting me out, even though I knew it wouldn’t be for anything good. I might be as weak as a newborn unicorn, but he wouldn’t be taking me anywhere without a fight.

Not again.

“Look at the adorable glimmer of hope in your big red eyes.” He chuckled. “Unlike your kind and these moronic hunters, I’m not that dumb.”

He lifted his palm, wreathed in a bronzed glow.

Pain bit through my skull and swallowed me whole.

Red fluttered across my vision as I forced my eyes open.

The world rushed in with a pained groan and blinding light. The noise fell again from my numb lips as the acrid scent of blood, gore, and magic smacked me in the face.

Saliva pooled in my mouth as every sense screamed at once.

I couldn’t make sense of the shiny bars blurring past my face until I felt the heat banding around my waist. My stomach lurched as the mage tightened his hold and dragged me from my cell to the only door in the cramped room.

Beyond my solitary prison were the main holding cells I’d once stayed in. With a rough grunt, my ex turned the handle.

And dragged me straight into chaos.

Sharp light stabbed through the migraine hammering my skull. The dim screeches and gunshots now roared.

I released another pained snarl and tried to get my feet under me, but my entire body felt weak. I didn’t know what that fucker Fenton had done to me, but it was like my limbs no longer understood the commands my brain was sending.

Bodies littered the vast space, demons and hunters alike. Most captives remained trapped in their cells, though a handful of freed demons battled their way towards the other cages.

Across the room, a familiar grey demon with flame-coloured hair and double horns slashed his claws at a pair of hunters. Panic emptied my lungs. Blood covered his bare chest, peppered with cuts and bullet wounds.

“Let me through or I’ll fucking kill the bitch!” Fenton’s breathy voice snarled, far too close for the ache in my skull.

The cold barrel of a pistol pressed to my temple, but I could hardly focus on the mage’s threat.

Rex washere.

My brother by choice. The only real family I had, blood or not.

And he was hurt. Because of me.

“Uncle!” My nickname for him escaped on a cry. “I’m sorry, I-I should never have left with him.” The words fell from my bruised lips as I struggled against Fenton’s steely hold on my weak body.

Every demon in the room seemed to hold their breath. Too many eyes raked me in my pathetic state.

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