Page 92 of Heart of a Witch
“Filthy demon,” he said, lunging for me.
I rolled my eyes, lifting my fingers and stealing his air again. He fought against the magic rather valiantly, not begging even once. I released him from the spell, clicking my tongue as I did. “Damian, Damian, Damian.” I loosed a sigh. “I won’t give you a third warning. If you want to live to punish me, you’re going to have to behave.” I closed the distance between us, feeling the dark magic thrum in my veins. “Sit down,” I ordered, forcing him onto the sofa, and sat across from him. “You’re lucky I’m not finished with you yet.”
“What does that mean?” He shook his leg against the sofa, his expression filled with more venom than my snakes.
“It means you may just keep your life for today if you listen.”
He leaned forward, challenge glittering in those glacier-blue eyes. “I’m not afraid of you, witch. I’ve killed more of your kind than years you’ve been alive.”
“I don’t doubt it. You killed over half that in one night.”
“Ah.” He leaned back, amusement taking over his anger, though it still creased his lips. “You’re here to avenge your sister. Emberly, wasn’t it?”
“Good. You remember.”
“Of course I do. She was very helpful.”
“You despicable fuck.”
“I still remember how her heart felt when it thrummed its last beat between my fingers.” He looked up, enjoying himself far too much.
I reached out, closing my eyes until his blood began to boil. Every drop of rage and hatred crawled toward him through my magic, and I delighted in hearing him groan. I released the spell before it could do any real damage and opened my eyes. Sweat beaded his forehead. He clutched his chest, gasping, his venomous glare finding me once more.
I angled my head. “You’re a glutton for punishment.”
He released his hold on his chest, settling his breathing. “No, witch, I am the punisher.”
“Then punish me.”
A flash of anger crossed his expression, his lip curling ever so slightly. “Oh, I plan to.”
“I’m sure you do. Now, when I leave here, you’re going to want to hurt me, to follow me; however, I must remind you, I have your sons.”
He gripped the sofa cushion. “If you hurt them…”
“No, no. I’m not you. I don’t cause pain for pleasure.”
He winced.
“I won’t kill them if you don’t try to execute me. I’m not the only witch here, you see.”
“If you think I will let you leave this town alive, then you’re delusional.”
I pursed my lips. “Who will inherit the Shaw estate if you have no sons?”
His nostrils flared, but he didn’t speak. He stared ahead at paintings on the wall for a good minute before he scowled. “Why come here and tell me you’re a witch?”
“You already knew,” I said. “I came here to make a deal.”
“I don’t negotiate with demons.”
“Both your sons are at our house. If you try to hurt me now or come after me, I will kill them,” I stated, shooting him an extra-hateful look to make sure he understood the seriousness of my statement. “It’s your call.” I stood and was walking to the door when he shouted after me.
“You think you’re clever, don’t you? Well, I promise you this: you will regret hurting my family.”
I nodded, glancing over my shoulder. “As will you for hurting mine.” I walked out, letting out a shaky exhale, and grabbed my jewelry from the table. He hadn’t checked me to see if I was a witch. Why would he? I’d shown him my magic, and he’dfeltit. It was all the confirmation he needed, so we’d wait. There was no way he would do nothing. He’d play the long game, I was sure, especially with the high priest’s arrival the next day.
Within a few days, he would go mad from not being able to come after us. He would make plans to get his sons back, which was fine. I wanted him to try to hurt me in front of Elijah. I wanted him to warn people of witches and not be able to prove it, as my magic would be hidden using the ritual jewelry. To have Elijah vouch for me too would help my case. I wanted to drive him crazy, to loosen the screws of his mind until he lost the respect of his peers, his own family pitying and hating him. Then, I would kill him.
