Page 129 of A Summoned Husband

I would.

“Stop it! Release me.”

“No.” This is the least she deserved.

The light in each crack intensified. Panic made her shove at my stomach as she tried to separate us. I felt the harsh swipe of her long nails in my skin, but I ignored them. I needed to get to the finish line. Needed to end this.

“You’re making a mistake,” she hissed. “I won’t destroy you, but together we could—”

“I’m not buying what you’re selling.” I squeezed until her breath rattled through her lips. “You messed with the wrong one!”

She exploded.

* * *

A gasp filled me so quickly I nearly choked on it.

Pain radiated through my arms as they shook. Each breath that filled me heaved my chest as I felt the familiar heat of Asmodeus’s magic coat my flesh until the sound of threads popping erupted like fireworks in my ears. My right arm was released and dropped like a sack of flour into my lap, my fingers tingling and numb. I blinked away the darkness that still edged my vision and looked up.

Abuela stood with the handle of a sword in her hand. Her eyes were cold and fierce as she stared into the eyes of the witch who had terrorized us all. Her hands were wrapped around Abuela’s as her mouth gaped. Black sludge leaked from the corners of her mouth, filling the space between each of her teeth as she snarled.

“Don’t fuck with my granddaughter,” Abuela enunciated each word as she pushed the sword further into the witch.

“You…” she coughed, gagging on the blood in her mouth, “think you’ve won?” Vindictia chuckled but the rough sound was stolen by more coughs. Her lips moved and though no words came from them, the incantation rang loud inside my mind.

Pain sliced through my skull as I groaned, my hand lifting to cup the side of my head. The feeling of being pulled apart left me once again breathless and annoyance bloomed. Just how many times was this going to happen to me?

Olivia was knocked to the ground as a piece of debris hit her. She slumped lifeless and Alicia dropped to her knees before she lifted her into her chest.

No!

My vision blurred as I watched Gran snatch the bat from Imani’s grasp. She ran across the floor before she pulled the bat over her shoulder and brought it down hard against the side of the statue.

“No!” Vindictia screamed.

Gran ignored her anguished cry as she lifted the bat and hit it again.

The statue exploded. Chunks of rock flew around the room and Gran dropped to a crouch, hiding her face. Alicia threw herself over Olivia and Imani crossed her arms over her face.

Warmth was wrapped around me as I was pulled into Asmodeus’s chest. I was lifted, my heart hammering. Exhaustion bit into my bones with a relief that felt like it would be my undoing. I could barely keep my eyes open. I forced myself, my head bobbing against Asmodeus’s arm as I watched Abuela pull the sword free.

Vindictia crumbled to the ground and debris rained down.

“I will haunt you with every piece of my soul, demon,” Vindicita pledged.

“Arzen, get them!” Asmodeus called, ignoring her threat.

Who was Arzen?

The woman with the shimmering black horns ran over and scooped up Olivia. Her arm wrapped around Alicia as they all huddled around her, her tail holding Sarika’s waist as she clung to Imani’s hand.

“Gran!” Imani called. “Abuela, come on!” I could barely hear her call for them as they ran over, the sound of the room collapsing around us deafening. Black shimmered around them making them appear blurry before they disappeared.

My mind reeled, unsure of what was real and what wasn’t anymore.

Asmodeus tightened his hold on me as he ignored the debris. Larger pieces smacked off the air above his head as though blocked by something. Even as tired as I was, I flinched with each impact.

This was a nightmare. I just wanted to be home in my bed. I was tired of this shit. Being married to a demon turned out to be just as much trouble as I thought it would be. I just traded burning in the fires of hell to be tormented by a crazy ass witch.