The Huntress

Chapter Two

The Huntress

Chapter Two

Felix hissed, his fangs protruding as he held the quivering man against the wall, propping him up by only his collar. The Vampire King leaned down in the man's ear, whispering something threatening enough to make the other man tremble.

As soon as Felix released him, the man scampered away.

"I can't intimidate everyone into leaving us alone," he told us dryly, his eyes glittering and dark. "We don't have much time."

Grant tugged on my hand, his own eyes dark. "Let's hurry up then."

Felix met my eye briefly, his gaze dropping down to Grant's hand on mine before he curled his lip and turned sharply, leading us down the dim hall. We dropped our heads as we passed groups of chattering people, some staring at us long after we passed. Felix was right, our time was dwindling. It wouldn't be long before the entire Wheel knew what had happened.

I felt Grant squeeze my fingers and looked up at him. "Are you alright?" he asked, keeping his voice low. I watched the vampire turn his head slightly, watching me out of the corner of his eye.

I nodded and picked up my pace, hurrying as quickly as I could towards Ben. My head was thumping again, the pain sharp and near unbearable in certain places. I blinked a few times, hoping to dislodge the pins and needles worming their way into my brain.

"Your skin feels hot," Grant rumbled, slapping his free hand against my forehead. I watched the frown sink deeper into his face. "You're feverish."

"She's exhausted," Felix snapped, "she used a portal to get here—magic beyond her capability as a regular witch."

I ignored Grant's burning gaze and looked to Felix. "But I'm not a regular witch anymore, am I?"

The Vampire King nodded. "You're a Clan Mother."

Perhaps my heart would've tensed if it were still there.

Grant tugged on my hand, pulling me to a stop and pushing me behind him and he slunk into a crouch, a light growl slipping from his mouth. The Vampire King stopped too, positioning himself so perfectly in the shadows it appeared as though he had melted into them.

I looked over Grant's shoulder, watching as Ditra slipped from Ben's cell. The Water Witch had a cruel smile on her face, her fingers worrying over the aventurine necklace around her throat before she turned and bolted the door behind her.

Grant grabbed my arm as I stepped forward, heat washing over me as I stared Ditra down. She didn't see, didn't feel my rage as she tossed her hair over her shoulder and swayed off down the hall. "Not yet," Grant whispered in my ear.

But soon.

Felix crossed the hall quickly, his pale hands working over the lock. It popped free in after a few quick moves and a grunt of effort. Felix stepped back after, the broken lock in his hand as he dipped his head and motioned for me to enter.

I didn't feel the ground as I crossed the hall, didn't feel the door under my hand as I pushed it open gently, letting it groan and whine on the hinges.

Ben was passed out in his cell, half on the floor and half slumped against the wall. The front of his shirt was soaked through, his mouth and chin glittering with water still. His eyes were ringed with purple, his entire face and chest area bruised and battered.