Page 60 of Song of the Hell Witch
Depraved as he was, Paris’s father had taught him one valuable lesson.
He’d said the idea of doing something was far more terrifying than the actual act itself.
People often failed to rise above their station because they were afraid of how difficult something might be, he’d told his sons, so they never worked toward their goal when, in reality, they merely needed to do the damn thing and the rest would fall into place.
It was this lesson that came back to him as he stood outside Stormlash’s gate and watched the manor burn.
Farther down the hill, shrieks rent the night in two as the women under the Ladies’ protection scattered to the winds.
Flames hissed and roared, devouring rooftops, houses, possessions.
He and the Zeraphel had turned the entire hamlet into a conflagration that could likely be seen for miles.
Your Dark Mother should be proud—her own Hell here on earth, he thought at these heathen women, all too aware that they would have no place else to go other than major cities like Welling, where General Hale waited to jail and either reeducate or execute them.
The general had been so hesitant to attack the Ladies’ stronghold. Yet, with a bit of fire and eight strong, capable soldiers, Paris had single-handedly quashed the resistance.
And he’ll see now. He’ll see that you are his most capable adviser. And he’ll see that you didn’t defy him. You honored him.
Do remember, he communicated to those Low Zeraphel who formed his battalion, their thoughts tethered to his own. I want Prudence Merriweather alive.
Sir, one of the men said back. He could sense him at the far end of the manor, where the west wing of his own house would’ve been. We’ve found a young girl and a few other Hell Witches and subdued them as requested.
Excellent. Now—
Sir, does General Hale approve of our mission here?
Paris didn’t answer. He could feel something at the back of his own mind, a whisper of Return to me. Return or face the consequences . But he held on to the belief that this was for Hale’s best interest—and he sent that same feeling into the heart of each of his underlings.
“He will once he sees our success.” He said it out loud to make himself believe it.
Bring the girl and the others into the back garden so we might be safe from the flames, and make sure their bonds are tight.
He smiled as he imagined Prudence’s shock, how she would fall to her knees and beg once he had a dagger to the girl’s throat—and triggered the event he knew would destroy her. This should not take long.