Page 97 of Last Witch Attempt
“Strong enough for what we need.” She turned to me. “We need to have a discussion.”
“Oh, good,” I deadpanned. “There’s nothing I love more than hearing those words.”
The naiad didn’t smile. “You think it’s your job to protect humans.”
“I try to protect those who need it.”
“Even if the humans you’re currently trying to protect deserve death?”
The question was designed for me to fail. I went on the offensive. “Tell me what happened to your sister.”
“They killed her.”
“Yes, but why?”
“Because that’s what humans do.” The response dripped with disdain.
I opted for a different tack. “Did you attack the humans?”
“We told them they were invading our home.”
“Did you physically attack them?”
The naiad made a disgusted sound and turned back to the water. “They thought we were joking. They took one look at us,saw young women, and started insulting us. They assumed we were weak.”
I could picture the scene. “They probably assumed you were hippies out here smoking pot.”
“More or less,” she agreed.
“Do you even know what pot is?”
The look she shot me was withering. “We choose to live separately from humans, but we understand the ways of your world. We know what pot is … and fashion … and even the Kardashians.”
I cringed. “Sorry about the Kardashians.”
“Why are you apologizing for them?”
“It seems like someone should.”
“Yes, well, even in the paranormal world we have factions that only care about beauty and ignore anything of substance. There’s vapidness in every world.”
“I need to know the rest of the story. I know you don’t want to tell it, but I need to know.”
Her sigh dragged on for what felt like forever. “They assumed we were weak and began taunting us.” She didn’t look at me as she related the tale. “They tried to force themselves on us. It was as if they were feeding off each other. I’ve seen that with other species, but never humans.”
I felt sick to my stomach. “I’m sorry.”
“It shouldn’t have been a problem. Even though they vastly outnumbered us, we have magic. It should’ve been an easy fight.”
“It wasn’t,” I surmised.
“One of them had magic.”
I was thrown off guard. “Which one?”
“I don’t know yet.” She continued to stare at the water. “I will find him. We had already won the battle when he swooped in to protect the others. He attacked. He somehow convinced theothers to attack again. In the confusion, I ran into the woods. I assumed my sister was behind me. It was too late when I realized she was gone.”
“Who killed her?” I asked. “Was it the magical one? What was he?”
