Page 81 of Birthright

An older Witch approached from behind. Allen was still weeping softly on my shoulder. She gave me a meek smile and put her hand on Allen’s shoulder. He turned to her and his sobs slowed even more. She took his hand and led him away, giving me another meek smile and mouthing the words “thank you” as she left. I watched them until they rounded a corner and moved out of sight.

I stared for a moment at the corner of the cottage they had gone around and anger flowed over me. Had that poor Witch been killed because of me? I tromped over to Jordan, determined to help any way I could. That man’s grief would not go unavenged, I promised myself. I grew madder with each step, hands fisting until my nails were drawing blood.

Jordan was leaning over the body, trying to undo her shirt so he could look at the wound in her shoulder.

She was a tiny woman. Really much smaller than me. “She was only thirty-five,” one of the other guards reported to Jordan.

He hadn’t noticed me yet. His mind was intent. “A mere babe,” he replied. I started to refute the statement since she was actually five years older than me, but I held my tongue.

Unfortunately, that was when my gaze found the top of her torso—and the pool of dark red blood just under the stump that was once her neck. Her lover had held her so tightly I hadn’t noticed. Muscles and bones that were never intended to see light glistened in the moonbeams.

I looked down to see some of the blood that had transferred to the guard now stained my leather top. I felt my knees go weak.

Needing to move, I followed the thick trail of blood across a patch of glossy grass that had the same eerie red and found the missing part of the Witch. Her face permanently etched in a silent scream, her eyes glazed with terror. Another large pool of blood had soaked into her blond hair, making the strands look like angry serpents.

I had to put my hand out to steady myself. Jordan had appeared beside me and I found his shoulder without looking away from the silent scream. He put his hand on mine and squeezed. I looked away from her face to his. He had that soft look I was learning to crave.

My stomach lurched and I turned and ran to the spot I had held Allen. I fell to my knees and let my stomach go. I hurled until there was nothing but bile. Jordan held my hair away from my face and rubbed my back, not saying a word. I tried to remind myself to thank him for that later.

Cliona came out of the woods and rushed to me. Jordan helped me up and pushed me into her embrace. She felt every bit as strong as he did. “Take her home.” His tone was soft. I looked at him. He touched my cheek. “Go on. I’ll take care of her, Keena. Go home.”

CHAPTER 34

Cliona pulled me toward the manor.

When we hit the yard, I ran past the guard at the door and into my bathroom. I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I looked in the mirror and saw only that poor Witch’s face. I didn’t even get her name. I stepped out as Abbey came in with all the necessary ingredients to make margaritas. “I didn’t hear what her name was. She died because of me…and I don’t even know her name.”

Cliona made herself a drink and flopped into one of the chairs. “I don’t think this is about you.” She took a slow sip. “This one didn’t even resemble you. You weren’t in the area. The killings are unrelated.”

“She was small and blond but…” I stood by the bed, holding on to the large wooden post. The shadow of a guard passed by outside the door.

“There was another killing a while back,” Cliona divulged. “The Witch was out in the woods. It looked like an animal attack. Her throat was gone but her head was still attached. I’m guessing we have a serial killer on the island. Manus and his friend were attacked not because of you, but because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jordan will probably agree when he gets back.”

“Great. A serial killer on top of everything else. He’ll never let me out of the room again.” I quickly changed into my trusty leathers and a tank then went to the table and poured the tequila straight into one of the margarita glasses, taking down about half in one drink. When I closed my eyes to let the burn of the alcohol slide down my throat, I saw the poor Witch’s face.

“Damn,” Abbey said. “At least you can hole up in here with the hulk.”

I huffed.

Cliona took a big drink of hers to match mine. “First time you’ve seen so much blood?”

“Blood? No. It’s not the blood. The…” I couldn’t think of what to say.

“Body?” she finished.

“Yeah, I still see it when I close my eyes.” I raised the glass and finished the drink.

Cliona refilled it.

Abbey started to say something, but Cliona gave her a stern look. “Drinking’s good right now, Abbey. Really good.”

Abbey raised her own glass. “To numbness.”

Cliona and I lifted our glasses and we all took healthy swigs. “To Tynan,” I said. “I miss the dark Vamp.”

Cliona and Abbey lifted their glasses. “To Tynan,” Cliona echoed loudly. Then she continued, softer, “Not to worry, Witch. A connection that strong cannot be severed for eternity.”

I smiled at the thought but drowned that wishful thinking away with another shot.