WITCH - ARA

Thirty five

I step into the apartment, closing the door behind me. It’s Keith’s place—or at least, it used to be. Now, it’s mine too. But right now, all I need is space.

“Keith, don’t disturb me,” I say, not bothering to meet his eyes as I walk past him. I feel his concern, but he knows better than to press me. Not when I’m like this.

I shut the door to my room, my sanctuary, and take a deep breath. It’s time. I draw the curtains and set up the circle, the familiar energy buzzing under my skin as I trace the lines with precision. I focus, chanting under my breath, calling out to the spirit I need.

The air thickens, and a shadowy figure begins to form within the circle. Slowly, it materializes, and I smirk as I take in the sight. It looks almost like Yovan—furry body, sharp claws—but this one’s different. Its teeth are sharper, more menacing, and its eyes are a piercing blue, with black, thunderbolt-shaped pupils crackling with energy.

“Welcome,” I whisper, feeling the thrill of power surge through me.

The spirit and I arrived at Harrison's hospital. Keith was by my side, knowing the plan I'd told him. As we walked through the cold corridors, the fluorescent lights flickered above, casting eerie shadows that danced along the walls. Every step felt heavy, the weight of what I was about to do sinking deeper into my bones.

When we reached Harrison’s office, he looked up, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Guess you accepted my offer of helping you after all. Come, sit." His voice dripped with false warmth.

I stayed silent, keeping my expression neutral as I sat down. Keith remained standing behind me, tense and alert. Harrison glanced at him. "I'd like to see the patient alone," he said, his tone sharp. "Doctor and patient confidentiality, you understand."

Keith hesitated, his eyes locked on mine. I nodded, giving him a small, reassuring smile. "I'll be fine," I murmured.

Reluctantly, Keith left the room, the door clicking shut behind him. Harrison turned back to me, pulling out his stethoscope. "So, what's the problem?" he asked, feigning concern as he leaned closer.

"I'm not feeling well, been puking all night," I replied.

He placed the stethoscope on my chest, his hand brushing inappropriately against my breast. He pressed down harder, lingering. "Why so?" he asked, his eyes not meeting mine.

I fought the urge to rip his hand away, to end him right then. Instead, I forced myself to speak, my voice cold. "Because I saw a man who forced my best friend to sleep with a corpse."

The moment the words left my mouth, his eyes widened, and his hand faltered. The shock was written all over his face, but before he could react further, Keith burst back into the room. His eyes darkened as he took in the scene. Without hesitation, he grabbed Harrison’s wrist, twisting it so hard that the doctor’s face contorted in pain.

“You think you can touch her like that?” Keith snarled, slamming Harrison against the desk. “After everything you’ve done, you really thought you could get away with it?” He pulled him back, then drove his fist into Harrison’s stomach, the sound of the impact echoing in the room. “How does it feel, huh? To be at someone’s mercy?”

Harrison struggled against Keith’s grip, gasping for breath, but Keith didn’t let up. “You’re nothing but a coward,” he hissed, gripping Harrison’s collar and raising his fist again. “Hurting those who can’t fight back—” He hit him hard in the face, blood splattering on the floor. “—is the only power you have.”

I watched silently as Keith let his anger loose. Harrison deserved every bit of it. But when Keith was about to finish him off, I stopped him.

"Zarek will take care of him," I said, my voice calm as I stared down at Harrison, who was barely conscious. Keith looked at me, his chest heaving, then nodded, stepping back.

"Let's go," I said, turning my back to Harrison. Keith followed me as I reached the door, pausing only to snap my fingers. I smirked, feeling the magic pulse through the air as the spirit materialized.

Zarek appeared in the room, his sharp teeth glinting as he leapt at Harrison. The door shut behind us, muffling the sounds of his screams as I walked away, not looking back.