The Hunter In Me

20 - Shattered

Lilla sat up and scurried across the bed to the wall. Catriona observed her panic before letting out a joyful squeal. "What's wrong, darling? Are you frightened?" She smirked at Lilla's glare. When Lilla didn't answer, Catriona turned to the man that carried her in. "Tell me, dear, what did she do when she saw you?"

He grinned. "It was as you predicted. She gaped, with her mouth opening and closing like a fish." He acted it out, and Catriona clapped. Lilla flinched when he winked at her and continued. "All I had to do was crook my finger, and she came running."

Their distraction allowed me to reach for my pocket. If I got to a blade, I'd cut the ropes. But I could barely move, and the bedpost was blocking me.

Owen was silent. If it wasn't for the bewildered hurt and anger coursing through me, I wouldn't have known he was there.

Catriona examined Lilla with wide-eyed enthusiasm. "What happened when you saw him? How did you feel? Tell the truth."

Lilla's gaze was glued to the man with tousled brown hair. She whispered, "How? How are you here?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "I suspect you're thinking of my father. I'm Shay, but I hear I'm the spitting image of Cian."

"Your father?" Lilla repeated, her cheeks reddening. "You had his child?" She lunged, but Catriona was much too fast. She raised her hand and flung Lilla against the wall.

A powerful gust of wind encircled Lilla, making her hair float, framing her face. Catriona had her pinned in place.

"You're a witch, too," I whispered.

"Obviously." She sighed. "You're a bit slow, aren't you?"

A bark of laughter escaped me. "Not usually, but there's a lot happening."

Catriona tilted her head with an expression of understanding. "I'm the one who taught Lilla. Well, tried to teach her. She wasn't a talented pupil." Flicking her fingers at me, she said, "You can stop squirming. Your knives are gone. Vaughn took them when he tied you up."

By the door, the guy with the buzz cut patted his pocket. "Thanks. It's nice when dinner brings gifts. I got a new phone, too." He held up my cell to show me he was going through the messages.

"No problem." I nodded, but staying calm was becoming harder. I wanted to flex my ankle to see if the knife was there, but I ordered myself to stay still while they scrutinized me.

Lilla panted—the force of the wind seemed to make breathing difficult. Her hands balled into fists. "How... could you... have had... his child?"

Catriona blinked at her. "Well, when two people love each other very much—"

"Shut up!" Lilla's body shook. "You aren't funny! He. Didn't. Love you!"

"How would you know?" Catriona's lip curled. "The only way you find love is with magic. Even after death, poor Owen can't be at peace because of you."

Lilla's focus whipped in my direction. She'd been too busy staring at Shay to notice me. "Owen?" she asked.

I looked at her, and she sighed. "Bash. Can you let Owen speak?"

"I can't stop him," I said.

As they all waited for Lilla's reaction, I moved my foot to check for the weapon. The handle pressed into my leg. It wasn't doing any good at the moment, but it was nice to have it.

Lilla's eyes brimmed with tears, and Catriona gasped. "You really care for him! Oh, this is too perfect." She waved her fingers and the breeze around Lilla slowed; it still held her, but with less force. "Go on, tell him you put a love spell on him and wasted his life. I'll watch."