Page 22 of Heart of a Witch
“My mind is perfectly clear.” I shot Cas a look. “I’m going to Redforest precisely because it’s where the hunter lives. I’m going to make him pay for everything he’s done to us. To Ember. To our cousin. He won’t stop hunting us until he’s dead, and I plan on making sure he ends up that way, but first, I’ll make him suffer.”
I saw Ember in Mother’s eyes, then averted my gaze to my brother. She stood, moving to my side. She placed her hand on my arm, a soft, gentle touch, but I shrugged her away.
“Victoria,” she said slowly, her voice cracked from the crying. “Darling, we cannot go into the heart of the snake’s pit.”
Alex placed her fingers to her lips. “Actually, I’m with Tori.”
My eyes widened as I took her in. Anger glittered in her stare.
“He deserves it. They all do. Look what he did to Ember. He tore out her heart, Mama.”
My mother clapped her hands against her ears, letting out a whimper. “Please, don’t. I can’t bear it. My baby girl.”
I pulled her hands away, giving Alex a look to stop. “I know it’s hard to hear, Mother, but if we don’t put a stop to him, we’ll forever be hiding. Aren’t you angry?”
“Of course I am.” She looked at me incredulously, then wiped her nose on the back of her black sleeve. “But I care more about you three and your safety than vengeance.”
Cas drummed his fingers against a side table. “I do too.”
“I don’t want you all involved,” I said. “I’m happy to go alone. You can all travel to Istinia.”
“I’m not leaving,” Alex said. “I want to kill the hunter too.”
“I’m not going to kill him straight away,” I admitted. “I’m going to take my time, make him suffer for all he’s done.” I angled my head at my mother. “And probably what he’s on his way to do to your sister. I’m going to make him wish hewasdead before I end him.”
She buried her head in her hands, and Cas was right at her side, consoling and comforting, taking the role of our dead sister.
Cas looked up. “You’re only doing this so you don’t have to grieve.”
My heart palpated. “It’s not. It’s because he deserves it. I’m doing this for Ember. Someone has to, Mother.”
Alex nodded along.
“He’ll kill you,” Mother said.
My eyes glossed. I knew it was a possibility if he found out who I was. The truth was I didn’t care if I died. I knew she could see that too, but I saved her hearing those words aloud. “I’m going to be careful. He won’t know who I am. I’m changing my identity.”
Cas thumbed the back of his neck. “Then I’m taking Mother away. She’s not going to Redforest.”
“That’s for the best,” I stated. “Because once I’m done with the hunter, I am going to hurt every single human who allowed this to happen.”
Mother shook her head. Her voice was hoarse. “You can’t take down an entire kingdom. It’s been this way for as long as witches have been alive.”
“I have to at least try.” I glanced at Cas. Guilt was etched into every worry line, every crease around his eyes as he looked from me to Alex. “She’s just a kid.”
She scowled. “Hey, I’m more mature than you.”
If I wasn’t drowning a pool of anger, I’d have smiled. “Alex can come with me; I’ll take care of her. We have the necklaces to conceal our magic, and the hunter didn’t see our faces.” I paused, only relenting because she was far too much like me. There was no way she’d allow herself to be left behind. “You’re only coming if you don’t get involved with my plans with the hunter. Promise to stay out of it?”
She huffed but nodded. “I promise. I won’t get involved. I just want to watch.”
Cas growled, then clicked his tongue. “I guess at least it will be unexpected. He won’t see us coming.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Us?”
“Yes,” he said. “I’m in.”
Mother cried. “No.”
