Page 33 of Magic Pussy

What the fuck? Was everyone in their family insane?

"The head of the covens has guarded this portal for generations. I know what lies beyond, Luke. Did my grandmother tell you which god?"

"Artemis."

Michelle smirked. Alright, so she was fairly badass.

"The Huntress. Could be worse. Alright. Bring it on."

And on that note, she lifted her hand and recited a Latin incantation.

For a moment, nothing happened, and then, the crypt's doorway became bright, too bright for their eyes, Luke had to look away. When the light dimmed, his gaze went back to the door, to find one small woman standing in front of it.

Goddess

She was beautiful. So beautiful. And cruel.

Rain had been stuck in a barren white room since she’d passed out in the cemetery. She knew the drill, it wasn’t her first time as an anchor. She was the doorway, and, by her will, the sprits from the outerworld could pass through to Earth.

The first time she'd done this, it had overwhelmed her, made her feel sick, dizzy, and set her mind on fire.

She must have grown in the last six years, because this time, the spirits had little effect on her. They came, waved hello, and passed beyond her without hurting her.

What had changed, she wondered. She didn't feel all that different.

And then, there was this woman.

No, this... thing.

It wasn't a woman, not in the human, or even the vampire, sense of the term. Rain would have sworn her DNA had more in common with a white whale than it did with this creature, who was entirely foreign, alien.

Her eyes were ageless, and her face, so perfect it almost hurt to look at it. She moved deliberately, and so fast her eyes couldn't quite catch up.

"Hello, Rain,” the thing said. “Long time no see."

It made little sense because she'd never, ever seen that thing before.

"No, I guess you haven't," the female told her, plucking her thought right out of her mind. "But I've seen you. I used to whisper in your ear. I'm told I have the sweetest voice, and yet, you shut me out. No one has ever managed to walk away from me, until you, you know."

"You make no sense, lady."

The creature smiled. "I was in your head, from the moment you developed magic. When you and your sister came to life, I knew I ought to keep a watchful eye on you. It isn't often that the original witches are reborn in the flesh. And yet, here you are. Eve and Lilith. Schuyler and Christine White. Rain and Michelle."

Her jaw fell open. She was joking, right?

"I didn't see it in time with your sister. She was already watched too closely by the angel by the time she came of age, but you? No one protected you. So, you were mine. Mine to play with. Mine to manipulate. Until you left."

Okay, so, now her head was hurting.

"You're telling me you used to manipulate me? Make me do things?" Holy fuck. "Did you make me hurt Michelle?"

"I whispered, and you were always so very quick to follow. Eager to please me. Eager to destroy your own flesh and blood. My good little Rain. Tell me how you managed to shut me out. I'm curious."

The thing didn't look curious. She looked angry. And insane. There was something dark in her eyes. Dark and dangerous.

Rain knew better than to say a word.

"Very well. If you must be difficult, I'll have no choice but to make you suffer the consequences. You mortals never learn without lessons. I will take your mate from you, first. Then, your useless little sister. And then, I'll kill Michelle before your eyes, before making you bleed slowly. Painfully. Won't it just be glorious?"

---