Page 39

Tasia

The sound of my breath was loud in my ears as I ran, knowing I was being followed.

Now I’ve fucked up.

I should have run far away when I had the chance. I should have hidden in my coven like they’d told me to. Instead, he’d been watching me as I’d taken my daughter to the park for a playdate with one of my sisters. And he’d followed me on my way to the grocery store. I’d noticed him too late.

It was reckless and stupid, and now I was going to pay for it. I continued running, through the alleys, the pounding of boots loud in my ears as he gained on me.

He’s always been faster. Why the fuck did I think I could outrun him?

I swore I could feel his hot breath on the back of my neck. Years of torment and pain flooded my mind—memories I’d hoped to never have to relive.

The pavement was in front of me. Just a few feet away. If I could make it…

Even as I thought it, I was yanked backward. A short scream left my lips, but it was cut off as I slammed into the floor, my hair still in my husband’s fist as the back of my head slammed into the concrete.

I stared up into the cruel eyes I had hoped to never see again. His lip curled at the corner as he cocked his head at me, giving my hair a yank and smiling wider as I whimpered underneath him.

This was the part he loved—the part that never grew old for him. When he had me under his full control and he was able to make me feel pain.

“Found you,” he said in a low, dangerous voice that sent shivers down my spine.

Goddess mother, why didn’t I run further away?

“And Gabbi,” he added with a malevolent grin. “It’s about time she got to know her daddy again, don’t you think?”

The fear inside of me transformed, becoming a burning fury that started in my gut and transformed to a purple glow in my hands. I knew the rules. I knew what hurting a human with magick would mean, but I couldn’t stop myself.

The blast left me before I could stop it, crashing into his chest and throwing him backward. He fell, the slam of his body against the brick wall behind him loud in the cramped alleyway. And that was when I felt it.

The binding.

A swirl of orange runes surrounded me, circling for a moment before it slammed closer, forming a circle around my stomach. And I watched as the purple glow in my fingers stuttered and fizzled until it was gone.

Fuck, fuck, FUCK!

Now I would be powerless against him. I scrambled to my feet, my head spinning as I ran, but this time I didn’t hear anyone following. I knew he wasn’t dead—I hadn’t hit him hard enough to hill him. Just to hurt him enough to get away. My breathing was erratic as I made my way to the park, only slowing when I saw my beautiful daughter giggling as she ran from Hanna—one of my sisters, one of my coven.

Now I wouldn’t be any help to them. Without my powers, I was nothing, and I wouldn’t be able to protect them. I didn’t know how David had slipped past my shields and managed to find me. He was just a human, so he’d had to have had help. This time, I was bringing the danger straight to my coven.

I put on a shaky smile as I slowed, walking toward them. I knew I was probably a mess, dirt all over my dress, but my Gabbi-girl didn’t even notice, squealing with joy as she saw me coming. She ran toward me, her tiny arms open wide and I swooped her up, ignoring the ache in my body that echoed my previous fall.

As I buried my face in her curls, inhaling the sweet scent of her, I made up my mind.

I have to leave with her. It’s the only way.

I looked up, watching as Hanna’s gaze narrowed on me, sweeping from my head to my toes before her brow furrowed. Her beautiful face was transformed from happiness to worry, and I knew I was making the right decision.

I was never putting my family in danger ever again. I’d become too lax over the years. Now I needed to get out of there before he came for us. But there was no way my coven would let me, so I would have to sneak out. I couldn’t allow these women to put their lives on the line for me and David wouldn’t hesitate to hurt them to get at me.

My heart ached at the thought of leaving them. They were the only family I knew, but this was for their benefit. I’d known when they’d taken me back two years ago that this day might come. But still, a part of me had prayed it wouldn’t.

Seeking comfort in my baby’s embrace, I mustered my best fake smile and I knew it trembled on my face as I made my way toward Hanna.

“Time to head home?” I asked, tickling Gabbi. She laughed that deep chuckle that was too adult for her little body even as she grabbed my hair and chomped on it.

She was becoming a serious biter and I wasn’t quite sure how to get her out of the habit. Tabitha—the eldest witch of my coven—had suggested that it was just a phase and she should grow out of it soon. All signs were pointing to the opposite of that, but so far, her little fangs were saved for me and any orc she met. She had a taste for the mate of the High Priestess of our coven. She latched onto his leg like a dog with a bone—quite literally.

“Anything I should know before we go home?” Hanna asked, packing Gabbi’s bag before I could even try. My heart panged in my chest at that. I’d never had to ask any of amazing witches in my coven for help. They offered it to me freely.

I stopped myself from crying again, knowing that once I put Gabbi to bed I was going to sob for hours while I mourned their loss. Then I was going to make a plan to leave tomorrow.

It’s the only way. Make peace with it.

“No,” I said, shaking my head as I grabbed another bag, hitching it to my shoulder while keeping my girl on my hip. I’d become a master of multi-tasking after she was born. I could carry three shopping bags, her diaper bag, and my daughter with ease. “What’re you talking about?”

Narrowed eyes followed me as I walked briskly toward the tower we called home. I sent what I hoped was a breezy smile over my shoulder, but as Hanna’s expression got more worried, I figured it wasn’t as carefree as I thought.

“I was thinking we can have Gabbi’s party a little earlier,” I told her when she caught up, and her smile grew as she nodded with enthusiasm.

“Yes! Pen was saying…” she started, but I swore that I saw a man in a black cap and coat turn around the corner.

I didn’t hear anything she said as I slipped inside our building, not taking another breath until I was within the protection guards.