Page 99 of Heart of a Witch
“Touch her again, and I’ll run this across your throat.”I pulled out my pocketknife. She had been right; I shouldn’t have come and told him first.
His eyes widened, rage glittering in them. “You would choose this witch over your own blood?”
I balled my fists. “She’s not a witch.”
He grabbed Victoria’s arm, forcing her wrist around. Anyone else would have yelped when his nails dug in, but she didn’t show an ounce of fear. I stepped forward, gritting my teeth. “See her wrist? This crystal is a dark object. It will show if she has magic.” He pulled it from his pocket, placing it against her skin. “See?”
I looked at the crystal. “Nothing is happening.”
The corner of his lips tugged upward. “Back at your old tricks?”he asked her.
Victoria struggled against him, her nostrils flaring. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Where is it? The thing hiding your powers?” Madness danced in his stare. “Where is it?” A trail of saliva trickled over his bottom lip.
She looked at me, her wide gaze focused, sad. “Elijah, please. He’s fucking insane.”
My stomach fluttered. Turning my attention back to Father, I tensed my shoulders. “Let. Her. Go.”
He pulled her tighter against him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
I shook my head. “For years I’ve protected you. I’ve made excuses for your behavior, and I shouldn’t have.” I paused, my eyes never leaving his.
He shook her. “You’re blinded by lust, you fool. She’s a witch. She’s trying to turn you against me. Don’t you see?”
“This isn’t just about Victoria. For years you hurt us. Corbin. You were so afraid of him going down the wrong path, but you’re the one who pushed him down it.”
“That’s not true.”
Victoria struggled against his grip once more. “It is. I’ve seen their scars. I’m not the monster here.”
He dug his nails in again. “Shut up, witch.”
“Do that again!” I warned, stepping forward. “Do it.”
He hesitated. There was a first for everything, I supposed. “Your brother carved his own path.”
“It was your bullying, your words, your scars that led him that way. You blame him for something he had no control over. Mother didn’t die because of him, and I doubt she died because of any witch.”
He loosened his hold on her. “How can you say that?”
“You said she only took a potion to help with conceiving Corbin. I don’t see how it could kill her all those months later. I don’t know a lot about it all, but I’m assuming there aren’t such long delays.”
He hesitated. “He was born of witchcraft. It’s in your brother’s blood.”
“Have you checked him for magic? Because I’ve never seen him show a shred of it.”
His lips parted, but he fell silent.
I took the opportunity. “He’s terrified, every day, of you. You speak about being a good man, one worthy of anointment from Zerheus, and you can’t even see past your own ignorance.”
His expression hardened. I glanced from him to Victoria, inhaling sharply.
“No!” he shouted. “She left the hexed bag and brought demons into my house. She cursed Lady Abor. She died in that tuberculosis hospital, didn’t you know? She has been playing us all since she came into your life. Please see sense.”
Confusion flitted her features. “Wait, what? I haven’t been doing anything.”
“She doesn’t know who you’re talking about.” I scowled. “She’s innocent. Let her go. Whoever left that hexed bag, we will find, and Lady Abor had tuberculosis. Many are dying from it.”
