Charlotte After Dark

Chapter 34: Welcome Home, Charlotte

Author's Note: um... can we just talk about how Charlotte After Dark has already gotten over 12k reads this month?? Also, I'm starting a new thing where each week I update I dedicate a chapter to one of my followers (chosen at random) since you guys are awesome and keep me going

"I will go," I repeated, my hand still clutching Luca's forearm, willing him to drop his arm, and his grasp of Cormac's neck. I wasn't sure if I was saying it again to convince them, or myself.

Luca shot Cormac a satisfied look before releasing him from his grip. Cormac fell to the floor, clutching his through like Luca had almost squeezed the very life force out of him. I wanted to run towards him more than anything now, but I stopped myself. What felt like just moments before, Cormac was arguing with Gwendolen over the deal he made with her over me. That couldn't be forgotten, not matter how much I wanted to touch him at this moment. The sight of him weakened on the floor brought waves of sorrow over me, but I swallowed them back keeping them at bay.

Andrew and Joaquin broke apart from each other as Andrew wiped a small trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. Everyone looked on at Luca and I with bated breath, unsure of what was going to happen.

"No," Cormac croaked from the floor.

"Charlotte--"Andrew began, but found himself unable to find more words to finish his thought. Maybe he realized it was futile to try and stop me. I had already made my decision.

Cormac had managed to get himself standing again, but used the wall the support himself up.

"Don't do this," he pleaded with me.

"I just don't want anyone to die on my account," I told Cormac. "I guarantee you, I'm not worth it." My voice cracked as I said it.

He winced. I wasn't sure if it was because of the pain Luca inflicted on him, or what I said, but for a moment, I couldn't be mad at him for entering into a deal with Gwendolen. I may never know what his end of the deal was and I wasn't sure if I ever wanted to know. He was a confused person, stuck between his old life and his current life, and I couldn't be mad at him right now. Only disappointed. I didn't know which feeling was worse.

"How generous of you," Luca replied.

"Malcolm, Joaquin," Luca said, nodding towards me. "It's time to take our cargo home."

Joaquin took me by the arm, bringing me closer to them. I wanted to struggle, but I resigned myself to what was most likely my future of whatever Luca had in store for me. I didn't want to prolong the inevitable much longer.

Malcolm walked over to the closet, untangling the silver chain from the doorknob. He placed the chain diligently in his pocket before joining us again.

Gwendolen tumbled out of the closet, the ire clear in her face. Her blond hair was messy, and her eyes focused solely on Malcolm.

"You will be sorry you did that," Gwendolen replied.

Malcolm only laughed. "Save your parlor tricks for the other witches. You don't scare me."

"You'll regret underestimating me," she snarled, pointing her finger at Malcolm.

"I'd be careful pointing that at me. That's a loaded weapon, you wouldn't want it to backfire," Malcolm threatened back.

"Gwendolen," Cormac called, his voice stern and commanding as he finally found his balance. "Save it for later. They were just leaving."

Gwendolen looked at me, now flanked by both Malcolm and Joaquin, and then Cormac with the disbelief plain as day on her face. If only for a moment, she looked like she realized she had lost.