Page 68 of November Reign
In the melee, I’d lost track of Damon and Basil. I found them just in time to see Basil knock Damon’s gun away. They fought hand to hand before Basil used a percussion spell to shove Damon away.
More magic as they each tried to get the upper hand. Damon’s lack of training was starting to show. He could keep going for longer than Basil with his deeper well, he just was outclassed. Basil lived to fight with his magic.
My steps were too slow, I feared we were losing even as the witch numbers dwindled as the demons stole them away. Basil was too powerful.
“Damon! Shield!” I yelled, too late. I was so close, but not close enough to stop him.
Basil curled an arm around Damon’s neck, an athame at his neck. “Stop! Right now. I’ll kill him!”
It was over, we’d lost. The bag slipped from my shoulder.
No. I refused. I still had my gun. We had the numbers. I just had to get Damon back unscathed.
I drew my gun. Aimed it at them.
“Fuck!” There was no clear shot.
“Oak, shoot!”
Damon’s eyes were trusting as I took aim and fired.
The shot hit them both, the spelled bullet going right through Damon into Basil.
“Shit!” In surprise and pain, Basil loosened his hold on Damon.
The former hitman spun out of Basil’s hold in a fluid movement even with a broken arm and gunshot wound. He twisted, grabbed the knife and stabbed it into Basil’s chest.
A look of horror came over Basil’s face before he laughed. “My knife can’t hurt me, you stupid—“
I shot him in the head.
Damon glanced over his shoulder at me. “Great shot!” Then he slumped to the ground, adrenaline leaving him in a rush.
All around us, witches and shifters held up their hands. They stood looking at Basil’s fallen body as he lay lifeless in the street.
“Leave!” Thyme yelled, stalking closer. “You are exiled from Northarbor. We see you again, you pay with your lives.”
Coven law dictated we could have their lives as forfeit. They were lucky Thyme was in charge with Damon down. I wouldn’t have been so lenient. They would have paid for their betrayal in blood.
Mori rushed to his mate’s side. The others crowded around him too.
“Are you okay?” Thyme tentatively touched my elbow.
“I killed your brother,” my voice shook with the enormity of what I’d done.
“No. He died a long time ago. You killed a tyrant. You saved Damon’s life.” He gave me a little shake until I met his eyes. “I love you, Oak. Thank you for protecting Damon and ending this.” Thyme wrapped his arms around my waist.
Sparing the body a glance, I looked down at the man clutching onto me. “I love you, Thyme. All of this was for you. To give us the future we deserve.” I cupped his chin, tilting his head so I could press my lips to his.
We broke apart quickly, aware of the carnage all around us. “I need to check on Damon,” Thyme sounded anguished.
“No need!” the man himself said. “Jorgoth fixed me up. Arm aches a bit.” He flexed it. There was drying blood flaking on his skin. He was pale, but his eyes shone with pride. “Well done for getting the already injured arm, Oak!”
“I can’t believe you told me to shoot.” Why had I done it?
“Can’t believe you did it!” Thyme said, echoing my thoughts.
“It was perfect!” Damon proclaimed. “That shot to the head? Bullseye.” He made a bam motion with his hand. “Ever thought of a career as a hitman?”
