Page 69 of House of Malice
Galliermo tightened his grip around Demitria’s waist and pulled her even closer to him. Despite it being only October, the nights were already chilly, and she shivered whenever the wind blew.
“Maybe we should have done this somewhere more private,” Lyra said. They all looked around Darly Park, which was dark and deserted this late after midnight. “All the Houses are literally right there.”
She pointed a hand towards the streets where people lived. They were in the middle of the park, right by the statue of the Gods where five paths met, but the large branches of the willow trees obscured the view.
“It’s not going to work if we kill the victim somewhere else and then drag her here,” Octavia said, crossing her arms. “Plus, dragging a dead body from our brownstone to here is an even bigger risk.”
“I don’t know how I feel about this,” Lyra said, crossing her arms as well.
“Well, it’s a good thing you don’t have to feel. You just have to perform a spell,” Octavia retorted.
“Watch your tone when you talk to my sister,” Reverie said, and this time her tone carried a warning, void of its usual lack of emotion.
They locked gazes and stared at each other for a long while. Silence stretched all around them.
Galliermo cleared his throat. “We cast a spell that should repel anyone who comes close to the park. I’m sure it’ll be fine, Lyra.”
A cheery laugh cut through the silence of the night. And a moment later, three dark figures emerged from behind the trees, making their way towards their group.
“Get ready,” Octavia said, and they all hid behind the statue, trying to remain unnoticed.
A girl’s voice reached them. “It’s a bit chilly tonight.”
“Let me fix that for you, honey,” Alatar said.
Galliermo would bet a hundred garders that his best friend was pulling his classic move of offering his jacket to a girl and draping a protective arm over her shoulders.
From the giggle that followed, it was clear the girl did not refuse Alatar Black’s charms.
“So, how much farther to the party?” the girl asked. “It all the way in Old Darly? That place is haunted.”
“We’re almost here.” It was Rufus’s voice.
Gravel crunched underneath their feet, and it was the only sound in the dead of the night.
“What is thi—?”
The girl didn’t get to finish the sentence because Octavia walked out from behind the statue, chanting a spell. The poor witch didn’t even get to scream before her mouth sealed shut. Her eyes were wide and full of fear when they all appeared from behind the statue.
“Hold her,” Octavia said.
Alatar and Rufus seized the girl from both sides. She thrashed against their grip, but it was of no use.
In one hand, Octavia held a large cluster of quartz, and in the other palm lay her athame with a beige handle carved out of bone.
Octavia hesitated.
“What’s the matter?” Alatar asked. “We don’t have time. Carve her up.”
Octavia pursed her lips and blinked. She nodded. “Form the circle around us.”
Galliermo, Reverie, and Lyra obeyed the command. Even Demitria stood in the circle with them despite having no powers. Galliermo always thought it was cute, her playing along with them as if she were truly one of their kind.
“Serate evicaris,” Octavia started the chant, and they all joined her.
Galliermo’s magic swirled underneath his skin, and a wave of excitement washed over him. It was a real thrill to awaken his magic and let it roam his body. It felt almost as good as sex, but a different kind of pleasure.
There were no screams, only tears.
