Page 96 of Heart of a Witch
“No!” He jolted back. “It’s them, isn’t it? The Amberwoods. They’re witches, Elijah. They’re going to kill you, and Corbin. You must get him here.”
“They’re not witches, and their last name is Weathermore.”
He groaned loudly. “No. She came here. Victoria. She hurt me with her magic. I know you hate me after everything that happened, but I’m telling you the truth. Who are you going to believe? Me or these people you barely know?”
I steadied my breathing, my heart racing as I looked around at the pitying eyes of servants. If anyone knew what was really going on, it was the staff. I needed to find Adeline. “Let’s get you to bed.” I took his weight on me and half carried him up the stairs. “I’ll have the doctor bring you something to help you sleep.” He calmed at that, and I rolled my eyes. I shouldn’t be here at all helping him, but he was clearly sick.
“Come home,” he croaked as I settled him onto his bed.
“Try to relax,” I said, ignoring his question because there was no way in the heavens I was living back here after what he did. I looked at his legs, noticing fresh bruises. Was he hurting himself? I walked to the door, watching him mutter something at the wall, and sighed. I couldn’t believe the rumors were true. He’d gone mad.
I spotted Adeline in the kitchens and pulled her into the gardens. “I’m glad I found you.”
She offered me a kind smile. “I was hoping you’d come home.”
“I’m not,” I admitted. “Just visiting.”
She looked at her feet. “I understand.”
I clasped my hands behind my back. “How long has my father been this way? Please, speak plainly.”
She bit her lip, curling it back behind her teeth. “A couple of days. It started suddenly, and he’s declined quickly. The high priest has noticed.” Her eyes filled with tears. “The priests traveling with him were talking in their rooms, and Amanda overheard them talking,” she explained, referring to one of the scullery maids. “They may take away his priesthood if it continues—or even worse, have him taken into an… asylum.”
I closed my eyes. “How did this happen so fast?”
“I’m not sure, but my uncle was the same. His mind declined quickly, and it never returned.”
“Thanks, Adeline.”
“Elijah.” Her tone softened, not calling me Mr. Shaw for once. “Father Shaw has been talking to someone who isn’t there. A woman, he says, and he keeps saying there are witches in the house and in the town.”
I grabbed her hand. “There are no witches here. Trust me.”
She nodded. “I’m worried what he’ll do. He already shouts at the servants, and one found him screaming in his room that he wouldn’t give in to destruction, but no one was in there with him. He’s paranoid and calling everyone a witch. He thinks everyone is trying to hide Victoria. Isn’t that the woman you, uh, spend time with?”
“It is.” I loosed a sigh. “I will fix this, okay? You don’t need to worry.”
“Please,” she said one last time. “He’s been hitting himself too, you know. They will lock him up if you don’t do something soon.”
I inhaled sharply, watching her leave. I needed to go back to Victoria’s before I could do anything else. Corbin was there, and I had to protect him and Victoria’s family. They were all in danger, especially with my father in this state. Once there, I’d figure out what my next move would be.
Twenty-Eight
Victoria
The succubus smiled far too sweetly for my liking when she slipped between the shadows of my room. “I’m rather enjoying the hunter. You were right; I didn’t need to fuck him to drive him crazy. He hurts himself when I turn him on. He’s terrified of sinning. It’s most delightful.”
“Good, but please, keep those details to yourself.” I placed my hot tea on my dresser and looked at the mirror where my reflection showed. “Has anyone suspected anything?”
“No.” She giggled, running her hand along her thigh. “He’s terrified of a beautiful woman, you know. I reach into his mind…” She popped a finger in the air, laughing. “Pull out a fear and use it. He hasn’t slept much, and when he does, I create more nightmares.”
“Well done.”
She angled her head, her blonde waves falling around her shoulders and cleavage. “Remember our deal, little witch. I’m only doing this so you will give me your body to use.”
“I know.” I scowled and picked up my hairbrush, then pulled it through my strands haphazardly. “You can return now. Make sure to report to me tomorrow evening, only when no one is around.”
She nodded and left through the window. As soon as she was gone, my mind swarmed. I barely made it to the kitchen when the splitting started. I grabbed a jar of the amber liquid, noting it was the last one, and drank the cloying, thick mixture. I coughed once it went down and followed it with water.
