Between Shadow & Ruin (Fangs & Fae Saga Book 2)

five.

I threw Mariana across the clearing as soon as I was sure their connection was severed, and Chris ran to the other witches of her coven. I heard him tear through their flesh with no remorse. Mariana whimpered on the ground as I stalked over to her – I had broken her leg. Her right leg was twisted at an awkward angle and thought it hadn't broken the skin, her femur jutted out.

"For the last time... this is over." I raised her into the air by her throat and pushed her up against a tree. "You were so desperate to get magic back that you wanted to steal it from a child!? My child no less? Did you really think you could get away with that?"

"The Larkspur poison should've killed that stupid fae. If it had, you never would've found me..."

"But I did, and killing Zane wouldn't have saved you. I intend to keep my promise to you from all those years ago. Val showed you mercy – I won't be as nice." I dropped my fangs and sunk them deep into her neck. She cried out, begging me to stop as I tore into her flesh. Her blood was nasty, which was odd considering witch blood usually tasted better, but it didn't stop me. There was too much satisfaction hearing her whimper and whine. I stopped as her heart slowed to a dangerous pace. "As the Vampire Sheriff of Massachusetts, I will deal with whatever consequences may come from my Magister. But I am so done with your shit... I should've killed you five years ago!" I fed on the rest of her blood, making a mess and eventually ripping her head from her body. I grabbed my head and grunted as I fought the need to continue feeding, to find someone else to Rip into – the anger and worry of Mariana kidnapping Odie would fuel the start of a Ripper binge if I wasn't careful.

"Momma?" I heard Odie's quiet voice say. It snapped me back into reality – I could not go Ripper right now. Not when that little boy needed me. I turned to look at him and disappeared into the woods before he could see my face covered in blood. I heard Zane whisper to him that I needed a minute, and they would be heading home. Val came to find me.

"Liz?" I turned away from her. I didn't want her to see me like this either, having given in to a part of me I hated.

"Val..." I breathed heavily. I had a sharp pain in my side. "Stay away. I don't want you to see me like this."

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yes," I lied. I backed away from Val. "I just – I need a few minutes. I'll meet you at home."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! All of you just go home!" I heard Chris offer to carry her home and I sat against a tree. I was covered in blood and wasn't sure it all belonged to Mariana. I grabbed my side, trying to ignore the pain. I piled all the witches' bodies together and threw Mariana's on top, lighting them on fire. I watched for a few minutes before adding some branches and twigs. My vision blurred slightly. I pulled out my phone to ask if Odie was asleep. Zane texted back that he was in bed, but wouldn't fall asleep until I got home. I took a deep breath and said I'd be home as soon as the bodies were taken care of.

I put my phone back into my pocket and ran home once I was sure the bodies wouldn't be found. I didn't stop to see anyone; I just headed to the shower. My side was throbbing, and I could hardly take the pain. I felt nauseous and hardly made it to place my face in front of the toilet before I vomited up Mariana's blood. Val came running to the bathroom, but I'd locked the door.

"Liz, are you okay!?" she said, pounding on the door and juggling the doorknob.

"I'm – I'm fine!" I strained out between heaves.

"Liz, open the door."

"Go away. I'm fine!" I heard the doorknob lock click as she used her magic to undo it. She'd called Chris over as soon as she saw me. Both of them knelt down next to me as I flushed the toilet of all the blood.