Page 40 of The Fang Arrangement (Celestial Witches #2)

K eeping my pulse even and my head lulled for this entire villainous monologue nearly had me falling asleep.

Witch on a stick.

How many more big bads do I have to deal with in a lifetime?

I kept my hand bunched in a fist, thankful that my protection ring wasn’t discovered. I’ve never been more grateful for a piece of jewelry in my life or a charm that hides it from the world.

When Oz tries to sink his teeth into my throat, I know that it’s now or never. I slowly lift up my head and see Warin’s face, blood staining his cheeks as he looks me over. His eyes glancing down to my ring and then back to where Oz holds my hair.

“Now,” he shouts, as total pandemonium takes place.

Vampires and stakes are zooming past my head at unbelievable speeds, it’s unnerving and I know I need to get out of the crosshairs. The human guards are shooting off their crossbows, but that doesn’t seem to last long as Samantha rips their throats out one by one.

I make a mental reminder to not get on her bad side as I work my way out of my own confines. For the first time in my life, the ability to use fire finally comes in handy, as I burn away the ropes that were holding my ankles and wrists. I singe my skin slightly and hiss through the pain.

I’m not sure what to do when I’m free from the ropes, but sitting here like an idiot for sure isn’t the answer. Sebastian and Warin are fighting Oz, while Achille takes on Joyce, Samantha joining that fight once all the humans are out of the picture.

Though I’m very anti-killing, I understand how necessary their deaths are. I do my best to not look over at the soldiers as I scurry behind some brewing tanks, holding on to cool metal as I watch in horror as they all fight each other.

The fight against Joyce is going better. With Achille’s size and Samantha’s quickness, I have no doubts that either of them is in danger.

With Oz, though? I’m not sure what to think. It’s almost like he’s toying with Sebastian and Warin.

“I’m older than all of you in this room combined. In the end, I’ll get what I want. It’s just a shame so much blood needs to be spilled,” Oz says, his dark eyes glancing over at me with a smirk. “Maybe when you’re dead, I’ll turn her, anyway.”

Warin lets out a frustrated scream, he and Sebastian rushing him at the same time. Oz is faster than any vampire I’ve ever seen, and stronger, too. Shoving them both off him, tossing their bodies into some of the brewing materials.

They’re momentarily distracted as Achille holds Joyce’s arms behind her back, he’s grunting with the strength it takes. Samantha cups the vampire’s chin, grinning in her face as she presses the tip of the stake against her chest.

“Bye bye, Joyce,” Samantha coos as she shoves the stake into her heart.

It’s just like that night at Howl and the Moon. She quickly shrivels up, blood and guts everywhere. My wand is now in the goop that was formally known as Joyce. Samantha picks it up and looks over at me, throwing it in my direction.

I grimace as I pick it up and hold it close in my fist.

“Four against one, that seems hardly fair,” Oz complains, as he lets out a piercing whistle.

It’s then that nearly eight more vampires enter the brewery. Oz backs away from the fray, letting his minions attack the vampires that are here to save me.

There’s no way they can win, not against this many. If I don’t figure out a way to help, they’re dead along with myself. I can see the fear in Warin’s eyes as he glances over at me mid-fight. He hasn’t given up, but he knows that this is over.

No. It’s time to do something great. It’s time to prove that I’m a formidable witch.

I think back to my skills, the way I saw Warin’s memories, the way I fought Conner off. The emotion inside of me is raw and dangerous. My life is just getting started and there’s no way I’m going to let this asshole take it away from me.

There’s no way with so many vampires that I can direct the pain to specific ones. I haven’t practiced enough for that. But I try with all my might to work with intention, letting my magic know who’s here to do harm and who’s a friend.

Every ounce of me slips into their minds quietly, not lingering to search their memories or find information. I can feel their thoughts, but my magic doesn’t touch them. There’s a chance I’m in Achille’s or Sebastian’s minds, but I don’t let that stop me as I take a deep breath.

I put every ounce of energy into causing pain, sending alarm bells in their mind, causing chaos. My eyes are cinched shut, but I can hear the wake of my magic. Bodies are hitting the floor and vampires are writhing in pain. I don’t stop, and continue my assault on their minds.

Some of the moaning stops, and I can feel the exhaustion deep in my bones as I shudder, no longer able to hold the spell.

I slouch against the cool metal as dark eyes peer down at me.

“Hmm. Maybe you are more valuable left intact. I haven’t seen a witch take down that many vampires in a long time. In fact, I ripped out her throat. That was fun,” he says, tilting his head at me. “Tell me, witch, was he worth it?”

I glance around the room, not seeing or hearing anyone else, and tears fill my eyes.

He can’t be gone. We can’t lose everything, not when we just found it.

I know it was messy and it wouldn’t be easy, but I liked that he was difficult.

It was fun bantering back and forth to each other.

All my life I wanted a great love, and I finally found him.

Life doesn’t seem very much like living anymore.

“He was worth it,” I croak.

Oz gets down on his haunches and tsks his tongue.

“It’s a shame you and your coven will have to die because you got involved with the wrong vampire.

But I can assure you, I’ll have the utmost fun draining them all dry.

Who should I start with? Violet, Iris, or maybe your bigoted grandmother. Maybe I’ll let her live.”

Tears are falling down my eyes and my wand is so tight in my hand it feels like I might break it.

Of course, this maniac knows all about my coven. At least Iris has the Slayer, and Violet has the wolves. Maybe they stand a better chance.

Oz’s hand touches my face, his thumb and forefinger squeezing my chin. “He always had a soft spot for sweet, pretty, little things. Now, if you give me the protection item you have, I’ll make it painless,” Oz says.

I look around again; I don’t see Warin’s body, I don’t hear anyone moving, until I do. It’s a quick glimpse, something not vampire, something else. I lick my lips.

“Vow it,” I tell Oz.

He laughs. “I don’t need to make a vow with a dead woman. They’re gone, all of them. It’s just you and me here, but the difference is, I have more vampires and what do you have? Nothing.”

“I have a family, people who care about me, more than I can say for you,” I reply.

Oz laughs, squeezing my face harder. “You think I give a shit about that?”

“I don’t know, you tell me? You’re how old and throwing a tantrum over your progeny not loving you?”

“You know nothing. You’re an insignificant little bi?—”

He doesn’t finish his sentence as the wooden stake slams through his heart, his blood splattering my face in the process. He holds the wood in his chest, like he can’t believe it, his veins going black as he falls to his knees and collapses to the ground.

I hope to see Warin behind him, and hope floods my veins, until I see the man that was standing outside of Iris’ store the other day. He stands tall, black tattoos covering his skin as he tilts his head at me in an in-human gesture.

“She’s unhurt,” his deep, spooky voice says.

Suddenly, Iris is on her knees next to me giving me a hug. The Slayer watches with an almost jealous gaze as Iris squeezes me tight.

“How?” I rasp out.

“Samantha. She sent me an odd text message that included emoji’s saying that you may be out of your depth and that Oz is the whole reason Adam was turned into the Slayer. We teleported here.”

“I wish to have a hug of my own now,” the Slayer says, and Iris rolls her eyes.

She stands and holds her hands out for me, pulling me up to my feet.

“Give Adam control, and I’ll give you a hug,” Iris counters.

“No. Me. I would like the hug, not the man,” the Slayer retorts.

I’m wiping tears from my eyes, trying to see if Warin is still there. The room is a mess of blood and bodies, and I can’t help the sad little hiccup that falls out of me.

“I’ll give you a hug and then you give Adam control. He’s the only one we came here to kill. None of the others,” Iris says, her hands on her hips.

“A kiss. A kiss and I will not kill the other blood suckers and I will let Adam have control for an hour.”

Iris takes a deep breath, looking up at the ceiling for guidance.

“Others?” I interrupt, something hopeful in my voice. It must be what gets Iris to agree.

“Fine, a kiss and you do everything you promise.”

The Slayer leans down, their height difference is staggering as his dark eyes search hers. She seems less than impressed as she leans forward and places the chastest kiss against his lips.

I expect the Slayer to pout about it, complain that it wasn’t much of a kiss. Instead, he grins from ear to ear, which is horrifying.

“The best half second of my tremendously long life,” the Slayer says.

“Give Adam control,” Iris demands.

The Slayer looks pissed. “If anything seems suspicious with the undead, I will take over immediately,” he tells Iris. She just flicks her hand at him.

Suddenly his demeanor changes, along with his eyes. A regular man now stands before me, though he looks just as irritated as Iris.

He looks down at where Oz’s body was and he sighs.

“He’s the one who gave my family the summoning spell?” he asks, talking to Iris.

“Yes, I’m sorry, Adam,” Iris says, grabbing his arm, far more friendly with the man than she was the Slayer.

Adam nods, the toe of his shoe pointing in his guts.

“This piece of shit ruined my life,” Adam says.

“Mine too,” a deep voice croaks behind him. I look over Adam’s shoulder and I see Warin, a stake hanging out of his side. “Sunshine, you mind ripping another one of these out of me?” he asks.

Tears stream down my face as I run toward him. I’m not as delicate as I should be as I throw my arms around his neck and squeeze. He winces, and I pull back and look at him. He’s a blurry mess with how much I’m crying.

“I thought you were gone?”

“Just another stake to the side. Nothing I can’t handle,” he says, cupping my face.

He’s covered in blood. It’s horrific looking, but I nod and grab the stake, tugging with all my might as it falls to the floor. A sigh of relief fills me as his skin knits together immediately.

“What about the others?”

“As soon as the Slayer got here, we got out of the way so that he wouldn’t turn on any of us. Oz didn’t expect or sense him, thought we were dead in the fray.”

“How did Samantha know to text Iris?” I ask. Even if Warin told her, I can’t even be mad, her knowing about the Slayer probably just saved all of our lives.

“It seems as though she may have cloned your phone that first night I brought you back to the house. I can’t even be mad about it. Also, she’s Sebastian’s blood mate, or whatever. All of them are fine,” he assures, looking at me like he can’t believe I’m still alive.

The feeling is mutual.

“You scared the fuck out of me,” I say, grabbing his shirt.

“You did so good, you saved us with your magic. Without that, we wouldn’t have had a fighting chance. The Slayer wouldn’t have gotten here in time. You’re magnificent,” he says.

He’s holding me tight, like I might disappear when there’s a growling noise behind us. When I turn around, Adam is long gone. The Slayer is back in charge of the body.

“Nope. Hell no. I kissed you and you promised you would listen,” Iris chastises him.

The Slayer glances down at Iris, not liking her reasoning at all, as he glares at Warin.

“I don’t like it either, man. We both tried to kill each other, so let’s call it even,” Warin says, and I’m proud of him for agreeing to my terms. The Slayer killing his problematic maker might be part of it too.

“Another kiss and I let them walk away,” the Slayer says and I have to bite my lip as Iris looks so irritated with him.

“Fine. Can you two please get out of here quickly? Oh, wait. Here, Ember,” she says, tossing me a potion bottle. “Now, can you two get out of here?”

“Gladly,” Warin says, tossing me over his shoulder and moving so fast I may just throw up from the movement.

I hold on to his back and despite everything, I can’t help but to smile. We made it.

We’re both still here, despite everything. If that isn’t fate, I don’t know what is.