Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 125077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
They were supposed to be barely out of high schoolers out in the world starting their lives. Yes, they were supposed to be safe, but they’d lost that chance when they’d lost their parents, and I had to start making things right for the next generation.
And yes, I could hear that Fen had made his way inside from the strangled screams coming from the front rooms. I could also smell the brimstone that came with certain dark magic and knew the most powerful witches in the world were turning that magic on my son. Fen could likely tear his way through an army of wolves, but I didn’t know what he could do against pure dark magic. I needed to get out there to help him. “Stay behind me.”
I started to move out into the hallway. This was the very back of the apartment. No one could come up behind us, but once we passed the secondary bedrooms, I had to worry.
Of course first I had to worry about my front because the witch I’d blown away from me was on her feet again and trying something new. Out of pure instinct I glanced back to ensure I was covering Evan and a spell hit me, sending a wave of agony through my system. My spine went rigid, and I nearly lost my grip on Gladys. Every muscle seemed like it was on fire, and I had the sudden aching terror that this was happening to my baby, too.
Oh, goddess, I prayed my child couldn’t feel this awful pain.
This was the horror I’d been waiting for. I wasn’t the only one I put in danger’s way, but I had no choice, and I didn’t think I could have made another one even if I had. I couldn’t have ever run and left Evan and Fenrir here alone.
I had to fight to save us all.
The next spell was coming my way, and I could see the gleam in the witch’s eyes. She was enjoying this. She wanted to inflict pain.
I knew I wouldn’t move in time. My body was slowed by the last spell she’d attacked with. My muscles were coming back online, but I wouldn’t be fast enough.
Evan slammed into me and then ducked, the crackling ball of energy barely missing her as it crashed into the wall behind us.
Up ahead I could hear Liv screaming commands and Fenrir’s roar. The witch in the hallway was already getting to her feet, but Evan was faster. Evan leapt onto the witch, punching out with deadly aim. She caught the other female with a hard uppercut, and I heard the crunch of bones cracking, but the witch had a hand on Evan’s throat.
I could smell the beginnings of flesh burning, and I forced myself to my feet even as the witch started to gain the upper hand. She was beginning to turn Evan over when Puff jumped onto the back of her neck and set those needle-sharp puppy fangs on the witch’s neck.
She screamed, letting Evan go, and when she turned I struck. I rushed forward, catching her in the chest with Gladys and giving my sword even more magical power.
I don’t like to kill. I know that sounds wrong for a person who has to do it as much as I do, but it’s true. I don’t like it, but I’m forced to at times. I wished I could have saved her. I remembered her from the coffee shop. She’d been a smiling woman who made excellent banana bread and could brew a latte that would knock your socks off. If I’d had the time and resources, I would have captured her and figured out a way to reverse whatever she’d managed to do to herself because like Liv, she was covered in black veins. The demon blood would be somewhat like a drug. She would be addicted to it at this point. Like Liv.
But I had to save these kids. I had to save the one inside me. Evan’s throat was red, but she pushed herself off the ground and gave her puppy a pat.
“You did good, bud.” Evan’s voice was deeper than usual.
“Are you okay?” My pain had receded. “Can you breathe?”
She nodded. “Nothing a little vampire blood can’t fix. Kelsey, my dad sent blood. It can fix any injuries we take.”
“Yes, but that blood is in the medical lab.” I wasn’t about to leave it in our fridge. The medical lab’s fridge had a backup generator in case we lost power. “We need to move this fight out of the apartment and into the public spaces. Rose will have told security. They should be coming to help. When we get through this, I promise you’ll have all the blood you need.”
I jogged to the end of the hallway and saw that security was already here. Somehow Fenrir had gotten the door open, and it was a bloodbath.