Pursued: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance (Beasts of Edgewood, Book 3)

by Danica Rayne

  The witch leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest. “Your dear mother asked for my help in closing the weak spots in the barrier between our world and others. Much like you’re doing right now.”

  She was referring to the Dark Eye. Mom wasn’t seeking it to search for someone, but something. A way to close the spawn point. She must have written it in code in case someone found her notebook.

  “Did you help her?” I asked.

  “Of course I did! Your mother, with that oh-so-innocent face she had on—much like your own—made it seem like she was the most selfless person in the world. The most selfless slayer I had ever met. Her heart burst with yearning to keep her beloved Edgewood safe. To prevent anyone else from falling to the same fate as her mother.” Agnes’s eyes blazed. “But it wasn’t selflessness in her heart! Not compassion! She was the most selfish person on the whole planet!”

  I winced, shoving away the tears that were threatening my eyes. Every part of me urged me to say something to this awful woman, that her words were wrong because my mother was the most selfless and kindest person I had ever met. That what she said were lies. But deep in the recesses of my heart, I couldn’t help but wonder if what she said was true.

  I swallowed hard, but the lump in my throat refused to disappear. “How was she selfish?”

  The witch pressed her palms on the table, her whole body bent forward like she wanted to spring on me, her eyes wild. “Your precious mother wanted to run away,” she sang out the words, tilting her head to match the tune. “She wanted to close every little crack in the barrier to keep the supernaturals away for good. So that she could run away and pretend this wasn’t her destiny,” she spat out the last few words.

  “Because she wanted to live a normal life!” The words exploded from my mouth before I could stop them. “How’s it fair for her to be a prisoner to that kind of life?”

  She cackled as she flopped back in her seat. “Did anyone ever tell you, honey, that life isn’t fair?” She waved her hand around. “You think I like my life? Stuck here for over one thousand years. Being a slave to the slayers, forcing my child to the same fate.” Her eyes narrowed. “Just like you.”

  “But why’s it such a big deal if my mom wanted to escape her destiny? Isn’t it a good thing that she wanted to deactivate the spawn point for good?”

  “Because that kind of magic calls for sacrifice!” She slammed her hand on the table with each word that left her mouth. “Sacrifice for the slayer and the witch.”

  “You mean…her dark soul,” I said.

  “Yes, that was her sacrifice. Amongst other things.”

  “Like?”

  “Dying at a young age.”

  My breath caught in my throat. “But she was killed by a vampire.”

  “It doesn’t matter how she died. Just that she died at a young age.”

  “And what else?” I asked.

  “Cursed to be barren after giving birth to one child.”

  That was why Mom and Dad never had any other children. She always told me I was their pride and joy and it was enough for them.

  “Anything else?” I asked.

  “What does it matter?” she snapped. “The point is, we both had to make sacrifices. Do you think witches can just snap our fingers and repair world barriers? To use the Dark Eye?” She shook her finger. “No, no, no. It took a lot of effort on my part. Because I believed in her. I believed she would make the world a better place.”

  I swallowed again. “What sacrifices have you had to make?”

  A dark cloud descended on her face. “I’ll never find a mate. I’m cursed to live another thousands years. I’ll outlive my children and my grandchildren.” Her eyes flashed with pain. “Many of my offspring will die before their time.” Now her eyes filled with fury. “And all of it for nothing!”

  “It wasn’t for nothing,” I stressed. “It’s not like she ran away from Edgewood, leaving it defenseless. She made sure to close the cracks so the city would be monster-free forever.”

  “She wasn’t honest with me. She didn’t divulge her true intentions.”

  “So what?”

  “So what?” That human-sized hand once again shot out of her and wrapped around my neck, yanking me toward her until my face were mere inches from here. “She omitted the most important element, girl. And that’s the reason why you are now standing before me.” She tugged me even closer, her ragged breaths hot on my face. “She was born a slayer,” she said very slowly, as if wanting her words to sink into my brain. “That was who she was. It was ingrained in her blood. A part of her. She could never escape it. So when she performed the Dark Eye, the slayer inside her clung onto the barrier, never wanting to let go of Edgewood. Her child. And when she left this world, so did the slayer side, weakening the pillars and leaving it vulnerable for an attack.” Her eyes flashed again. “If your mother would have told me her true intentions, I never would have agreed! I never would have sacrificed myself or my children!”

  “But…how could she have known that her slayer side would cling onto Edgewood?”

  She released me from her hold, shoving me backward. “That’s your answer? That she didn’t know? She shouldn’t have tried to escape her fate to begin with. What a selfish child she was. And you’re the same.”

  My eyes snapped to hers. “No, I’m not.”

  “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, girl. I won’t let history repeat itself.” She flicked her index finger toward the door. “Now leave my house.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “No.” I held my head high, my eyes pinned on the witch. “I’m not leaving unless I have a spell to close the portal.”

  She kept her gaze on me before bursting into laughter. “Are you threatening me?”

  “Not threatening. Just stating my true intentions.”

  Her lips lifted in a smirk. “Well, you definitely have bigger balls than your mother, I’ll give you that.” She drummed her fingers on the table. “Still, once a betrayer, always a betrayer.”

  “If you don’t help me close the portal, who will? This isn’t only about Edgewood, it’s about the whole world. And when the demon lord does come through, who’d be responsible? Not me.”

  “You’ll always be responsible, because you led the hellhound to the final pillar.”

  I throw my hands up. “Okay, I get it! I made a mistake. I’m not perfect.”

  “A slayer can’t afford to make mistakes. Are you so thick headed that you couldn’t put two and two together and realize the book was enchanted?”

  “How was I supposed to know that? I thought the demon sent those things to attack us.”

  “The demon lord? Ha! You think a demon has the power to animate objects?”

  I glared at her. “Are you going to help me save Edgewood and the rest of the world, or are you going to stand idly by while it gets destroyed?”

  The vein in her forehead pounded. “Your line has lost all my trust. I won’t be played by you again.”

  “I’m not going to run away from my destiny!”

  “Your mother felt the same way in the beginning, but you’ll run away one day. Mark my words.”

  “I won’t,” I said through clenched teeth. “I love Edgewood. I love the people in it. I’ll never leave.”

  The witch’s eyes flicked to the guys. “Because of these supernaturals?”

  I folded my arms across my chest, my eyes fixed on her, my lips pressed together. “No, not just because of them. Edgewood is my home, and I’ll do whatever I can to keep it safe, for the rest of my life.”

  She sat back and crossed her own arms, returning my gaze. We stared at each other for a good few minutes.

  “All right,” she finally said. “I’ll help you.”

  My eyes widened. “You will?”

  “I’m not doing it for you,” she stressed. “I’m doing it because unlike your mother, I don’t shirk my responsibilities. I’ve been put on this Earth to help slayers keep the world s
afe, and keep the natural balance of things. And even though I think you are a foolish, incompetent girl, the safety of Edgewood rests on your shoulders. Only you can save it.”

  “I’m not incompetent,” I said. “And I’ll prove it to you.”

  She seemed impressed. “Now you’re talking like a proper slayer. Maybe there is hope for you yet.”

  “Will I have to sacrifice like my mom did? Will you have to sacrifice again?”

  “The sacrifice has already been made. There won’t be a need for any more. I have another vial with the potion you’ll need to perform the Dark Eye. Saved it for a rainy day.” She studied me closely. “There is a price you’ll have to pay, though.”

  My stomach twisted. “What kind of price?”

  “It’s a powerful potion, and an even more powerful spell. That isn’t without its consequences.”

  “You mean…I’ll darken my soul. Like my mom did.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll be using dark magic.”

  “I don’t believe in good magic or bad magic,” she snapped. “Magic just is. It’s the choice you make, whether you want to use it for good or for bad.”

  “So performing this spell is a bad thing. But why? I want to keep the world safe. That’s not a bad thing.”

  The witch shook her head. “Magic like this isn’t meant to be performed. It’s one of the most powerful forms of magic there is. And that’s why it comes with a terrible price.”

  I swallowed hard as I turned away from her. Of course I knew there was a chance this would happen—my mom’s soul got dark as well. But I supposed I hoped things would be different for me.

  “Isn’t there another way?” Kayden asked. “Another spell you can do?”

  “Afraid not.”

  Ryker motioned to the muzzle on his mouth.

  With a roll of her eyes, she nodded in his direction and the muzzle disintegrated. “Yes, wolf, what are you bursting to say?”

  “I can’t stand here while Alivia dooms her life. It isn’t fair.”

  “Did you not hear me before? Life isn’t fair. I’m sure someone like you understands that.”

  His hands fisted at his sides.

  “Your slayer isn’t meant to live a happy, carefree life. She is meant to work hard, to sacrifice, to mourn.”

  “That’s stupid,” Liam mumbled.

  “She’s one of the kindest people I know,” Finn said. “She’s been through so much loss and heartache. Can’t you give her a beak?”

  The witch threw her hands up. “This isn’t up to me, wendigo! And of course it’s not easy! If it were easy, don’t you think witches like me would have helped the slayers before? Don’t you think the cracks would be repaired, the spawn points shut for good? No, dear boy, this isn’t meant to be easy at all.”

  “I’ll find another way,” Kayden said with a determined expression. “I won’t let her doom herself to such a fate.”

  The witch cackled. “You’ll find another way? I’ve lived on this world for over one thousand years, vampire! You won’t find any answers in your little books.”

  His jaw clenched. “I will.”

  “Guys.” I faced them with a small smile. “I appreciate you looking out for me, but I need to do this.”

  “No, Alivia,” Ryker said.

  “We don’t have time to look for another way. And Agnes is right, a slayer needs to sacrifice sometimes. I’ll…I’ll be okay. It’s worth sacrificing my soul for the good of Edgewood, and the rest of the world.” I turned toward the witch. “I’m ready to do this.”

  She smiled widely. “There is one more thing.”

  “What now?” Liam exclaimed.

  “A little something for me. An insurance, if you’d like.”

  I folded my arms and narrowed my eyes at her, not liking the overly excited and slightly sinister look on her face. “What do you want?”

  “I’m a woman who learns from her mistakes. Had I asked your mother for this, she might not have agreed. I would have saved myself and my family a lot of heartache.”

  I tapped my shoe on the floor. “What do you want?”

  She flew off her chair and was in my face in less than two seconds. Grabbing hold of my chin and squeezing far too tightly, she tilted my face from side to side. “Yes, you are lovely. So very lovely. Such pure, smooth skin.” She ran her free hand across my cheek. “So much life and bounce. So young.”

  “Get off her!” Ryker yelled.

  “You. Are. Hurting. Me,” I gritted my teeth.

  Squeezing even tighter, she continued tilting my face, her eyes roving over me in wild hunger.

  “I said, get off her!” Ryker bound off the floor, ready to ram into the witch, but she swept him into the wall.

  “I put a muzzle on you. Do you need a leash, too?”

  “What…do you want from me?” I demanded, though it was hard to get the words out because my chin killed.

  She ran her finger down my other cheek, making me flinch in disgust. “I want your face.”

  “My face?”

  “Yes…” She continued sweeping her finger down my cheek. “I want your beauty. I want your youth.”

  “What do you need that for? You have a young face. You’re beautiful.”

  She threw her head back and released such a high-pitched laugh that I thought the roof would peel off. “You think this is my true appearance? Are you not aware that I’m a witch?”

  “What do you really look like?”

  She waved her hand over herself and completely transformed into a very elderly-looking woman, with warts and wrinkles all over her face. The only light was in her eyes, the same piercing blue, and her entire body was bent forward like a question mark, as though she had undergone far too many hardships in her lifetime.

  I tore my eyes away.

  “Yes, girly. Wince. This is my true nature, all due to the sacrifices I’ve made to help keep the world safe. Is it too much to ask for a small token in return?”

  “But…I want my face,” I said.

  She laughed again. “I know you want your face. But this is the only way I’ll know you’re sincere. If you want to save the Edgewood you love, then prove it. Is that not what you promised? That you’ll prove you’re the slayer Edgewood deserves?”

  I swallowed as I looked away. I slowly brought my hand to my face, feeling my skin. “What would I look like?” I asked, my voice so low I barely heard myself. “Will I look sixty years old?”

  “No, silly. You’ll be ugly. Quite ugly, I’m afraid.”

  I shut my eyes tight as a breath escaped my lips.

  “You witch!” Ryker yelled. “How dare you ask her to give up her beauty! I’ll kill you!”

  With an impatient sigh, the witch flicked her wrist and a muzzle and leash appeared on Ryker.

  “Hey, that was uncalled for!” Liam protested. “And I agree with Ryker. It’s bad enough she has to sacrifice her soul, but now you’re forcing her to give up her youth and beauty? Just so you can look young? Who’s the selfish one now? What a hypocrite.” Liam’s face was growing red and small flames started to gather in his palms.

  The witch once again flicked her wrist. Metal cuffs appeared on his hands and mouth.

  “Anyone else care to share their thoughts?” she asked.

  Finn moved forward, lowering himself to his knees. “Please don’t force her to do this, Agnes. Please. I know you’re a good person. I’m sorry you’ve gone through so much pain in your life, but that doesn’t mean you should take it out on Alivia. She’s not going to disappoint you. I swear.”

  “Anything to add, vampire?”

  “Yes. I’m finding it extremely difficult not to sink me teeth into you and suck you dry.”

  The witch chuckled. “Let’s see you try.”

  Kayden’s hands fisted at his sides and he opened his mouth, revealing his sharp fangs.

  “Stop,” I said. I had meant to shout it as a command, to stop the guys from doing something stupid, but my words were weak.
Barely audible. I swallowed and gave them a faint smile. “You guys will still love me when I’m ugly, won’t you? You’re not that shallow.”

  “This isn’t for us!” Kayden said. “It’s for you. We’d love you even if you looked like a sixty year old.”

  “It’s a small price to pay. The only way to show Agnes how sincere and serious I am is to sacrifice something I care about.” I looked at the witch. “I’ll agree on one condition.”

  “You are in no position to negotiate.”

  I narrowed my eyes at her. “How do I know I can trust you? For all I know, you’re just an evil witch who screwed with my mom and is trying to screw with me. Maybe you’re the one responsible for the weakened pillars. So this is my demand. I’ll agree to give you my face after the portal’s closed. After I know the world is safe again.”

  The witch thinks for a moment. “That’s a reasonable demand. All right, I accept.”

  I held out my hand for a shake.

  “No, dear girl. That’s not how we do it in the magical world.” She rolled out her palm and a scroll appeared.

  “Are you serious?” Liam said. “Can you get any more cliché than that?”

  The witch glared at him before focusing back on me. “All you have to do is sign.”

  “After you,” I said.

  She moved her index finger over the scroll, and her signature appeared at the bottom.

  My eyes raked over the words. “I can’t read this.”

  “Of course you can’t. It’s in an old witch language.”

  “Translate it.”

  She sighed impatiently. “All right. Here, the undersigned agree than in exchange for services provided by Agnes, High Witch Priestess to the Violet Moon—assisting in the permanent sealing of a portal to the human world—the slayer of Edgewood, Alivia Nicole Knight, will sacrifice her youth and beauty to the High Witch Priestess upon completion of the task. Failure to do so will result in agonizing suffering.”

  I lifted my eyes to hers. “Agonizing suffering? You didn’t mention that part.”

  “Thought it was self-explanatory.”

  I gave her a look. “Okay, I’ll sign.”