A Witch's Fury

by Kim Schubert

  “No, it’s more of a warning. What’s going on between you two?”

  I groaned, “Shit if I know.”

  “The blind hatred seems to be dulling, at least on his end.”

  “I never hated him. I hate his choice in life partners.”

  Kass laughed, “Don’t we all.”

  “She’s a hussy,” Hannah added.

  “Agreed,” I laughed.

  “I heard things were hot and heavy with your last undercover assignment in the strip club,” Darren hinted, coming in from the garage and picking up a squealing Hannah. Damn shifter hearing.

  I shrugged. The kiss had been intense, complete with roaming hands and a raging hard-on. “I’d like to put that in a pile of things I don’t plan on talking about.”

  Darren laughed. “Like how we don’t talk about your ability to do magic?”

  “Exactly, I don’t do magic and Logan and I hate each other. End of story.”

  Darren laughed, kissing Kass before heading down the hallway.

  Kass raised an eyebrow at me as I went to start washing lettuce.

  “Not dealing with it.”

  “I heard you the first time.”

  …

  The doorbell announced Logan’s arrival.

  Kass and I were setting the table when a freshly washed Hannah screeched down the hall, “I’LL GET IT!”

  Darren followed her out, his dress shirt sleeves rolled up as he watched his daughter let his brother in.

  “Did you bring the hussy?” Hannah asked, all business.

  “I did not,” replied Logan.

  Hannah moved aside. “You may enter.”

  I laughed, “Nice work, kid.”

  Hannah high fived me before wrapping herself around Kass’ legs.

  “You teach her that?” Logan asked, sitting down heavily.

  “Nope, you can‘t teach good taste.”

  He grunted a reply.

  “Grams get in touch with you about arbitration tomorrow?”

  I groaned, sitting next to him. “I’ll be there with bells on.”

  “I wanna wear bells!” Hannah screeched, jumping up and down in her seat.

  “Did you feed her sugar?” Kass accused me.

  “Sugar, what is this substance you speak of?”

  “Yeah she did!” Hannah ratted on me.

  “You are cut off,” I informed her.

  …

  Dishes were done, leftovers stashed, and a finally-sleepy Hannah tucked into bed as Logan and I walked outside.

  I inhaled the crisp night air, feeling the cool breeze against my skin.

  Logan stopped next to my driver’s door. “What?” I asked, looking around for trouble.

  He sighed, running a hand through his lengthening locks. “You’re vulnerable.”

  “Fuck you.”

  He shook his head with an easy smile. “Your emotional state.”

  “I’m unbalanced.”

  He actually laughed at that, it looked good on him. “Right, but the other shifters tomorrow are going to sense the change in you. They are going to want to help.”

  I kept glaring at him as he moved into my personal space. “And shifters comfort by touching,” he informed me, running his hands under my jacket. Through the thin material of my shirt I could feel his heat.

  It should have put me on guard. Instead I ducked my head under his chin, relaxing my shoulders.

  “I don’t like being touched by strangers.”

  “But this you are going to accede to?”

  “Don’t sound so shocked, even the Executioner needs to feel loved,” I whispered.

  “I was pretty sure I was going to get hit for this.”

  “Do you want me to hit you?”

  Logan pulled away. “Do you want to hit me?” he asked softly, his face very close to my own.

  I socked him in the gut, succeeding in hurting my hand. “Ow, you saw that one coming?”

  “I did. Get some rest,” he called over his shoulder, removing his warmth. “It’s a long ass docket.”

  “Wonderful,” I grumbled.

  Chapter 11

  The fucker wasn’t kidding.

  It was a damn zoo out there. Note to self: do not say that out loud. I pushed back the curtain I was hiding behind, turning to Grams. As per usual the shifters met town hall style, and this time I was actually backstage since my invite hadn’t been lost by Lorraine. The venue was similar but this was larger, at least twice the size.

  Reading my shock, she shrugged.

  Logan came from behind her, all business in his camel suit, raising an eyebrow at me.

  “After you, oh master,” I motioned, smirking.

  He cracked a half smile, pushing me out in front of him.

  The crowd was instantly silenced. We pulled out our chairs behind a simple wood desk and it was unnaturally loud.

  I looked around at all the faces, preparing myself for a very long day, trying to remember to smile and not scowl.

  Alec leaned against the podium, casting his trademark devilish grin at the crowd.

  “Are we ready to begin?” he asked.

  Suddenly, the lights flashed off, plunging us all into darkness. A new light flickered brightly into my eyes.

  “What the hell?” l muttered, blocking my eyes with a hand.

  “Find what you were looking for?” I heard from the speakers in a voice I recognized.

  “Turn it off!” Logan bellowed, standing forcefully, sending his chair tumbling backwards.

  I stood stiffly, shame turning my face red. Walking to the edge of the stage, I watched Blake stalk me across the Centennial’s computer lab.

  “No,” my small voice on the projection stated.

  The grainy footage zoomed in to us kissing, to me pulling back and whispering, “Blake.”

  From there things got X-rated pretty quickly, but I didn’t pull my gaze away.

  Logan was still screaming and the tech guys were hustling to cut the feed.

  I watched it all, comparing it to my memories. I was a succubus and a woman. What had happened between Blake and me was normal. The unintentional video now being distributed cut a clear path into my prior life. I pulled the strength I needed from those memories. I had survived worse at the hands of Selena. I’d survive this intense invasion of privacy.

  Finally it ended. The remarks were not far behind it.

  “I wonder how much for a ride.”

  “Did you see how flexible her hips are?”

  “Her shit must be loose.”

  “I bet I have a chance.”

  “Whore.”

  “Demon whore.”

  “Why does she have a say over us? She’s not mated to the Alpha.”

  I was still staring at the now dark screen. Logan caught my eye as I came back on stage. The lights blinded me yet again as they returned to normal. I closed my eyes, knowing what I’d have to do.

  Weakness was not a trait that could go unpunished in our world. I had done an exceptional job hiding my weakness and flaunting my killing, but that fucking video blasted it all to hell. I was vulnerable, weak, and easily manipulated.

  That was not the image these shifters would leave with.

  “First challenger, let’s go!” I bellowed, turning back to the crowd. Several females got up at once, jostling to get to me.

  “Form a line, clear the stage!” I ordered, pulling off my jacket and checking my dagger.

  Logan moved forward, catching my eye. What he couldn’t say was that I didn’t have to do this. He could stop it all, sure. But if I allowed him to do that, I might as well release my title and place by his side.

  My ego wasn’t about to let that happen.

  These bitches wanted to see if they were better than me?

  Bring it the fuck on.

  He saw the determination, the ruthless killer I was known for, and moved to the side to monitor the fights. Suddenly, the large crowds made perfect sense.

  What I didn’t realize, and wou
ldn’t for some time, was how Logan had known the first line of my unintentional sex tape.

  “This is not to the death,” Logan commanded. “Subdue only.”

  Releasing the dagger and holder, I slid it across the stage to rest at his feet. Hand-to-hand it was.

  …

  I had the eighth or ninth challenger pinned with an arm bar, applying a dangerous amount of pressure to break her arm, and she still wasn’t tapping.

  “Tap,” I commanded.

  Still she struggled. “Fine,” I grunted, applying the pressure to snap her bones with a dry crack.

  She cried out and I held the break apart.

  She gasped, her blond hair pooling under her. “You bitch,” she panted.

  “That’s Queen Bitch to you,” I hissed, applying more pressure.

  “I tap!” She screamed.

  I released her, rolling quickly to my feet. The strain of these fights was wearing on me. My shoulders hurt, the right side of my face was swollen, and I was fairly certain I had knocked something important lose in my right knee.

  We had been at it for two hours and I needed a break. I wasn’t taking one. I was going to finish that damn line.

  I almost let my shoulders sag in relief when I saw my line was down to just one young and inexperienced shifter. I had either gone through the line faster than I realized or people were changing their minds. Either way, I was thrilled.

  She approached the stage warily.

  “Not too late to sit back down,” I tried.

  Silently she shook her head, her eyes cataloging my injuries. Her left foot tried to land a heavy and slow kick to my right knee. Even in my exhausted state I was faster. Shifting to the left, I reached behind her head, locking her neck into a chokehold.

  She bucked and flung, trying to get me off. Keeping my weight low, I tightened my grip.

  “Hey Logan, any chance we can order lunch?”

  She grunted, pawing at my arm.

  “Do not shift,” Logan warned before returning his attention to me. “What do you want?”

  “Chocolate pie,” I groaned, applying still more pressure.

  “That’s dessert.”

  “Fine, salad, pasta, breadsticks, and pizza then,” I amended my order, releasing the unconscious girl.

  After gingerly rolling her to her side, I stood up, brushing my hands on my thighs. “I’m not sharing, either.”

  Logan huffed and I could see the pride in his eyes. It did strange things to my insides.

  “I suppose we still have to arbitrate?” I asked, wanting to sit down but refusing to show weakness or to favor my knee.

  “We do,” he agreed.

  “Delivery?”

  “Consider it done.”

  “I think I’m good for the next month on gym time.”

  “Not so fast,” Lorraine announced, stepping up the stairs. “I challenge you.”

  I looked to Logan, confused. “Why would you challenge her?” he asked.

  “She is acting mate and as your mate I demand a seat next to you. Since you won’t give me one, I will just have to take it.”

  “Can I kill her?” I asked Logan.

  “No,” he answered quickly.

  “Fine, I’ll accept kicking her ass.”

  Stomping across the stage, she moved fast. I bounced on my toes, my body worn.

  The little bitch had planned well.

  “You can’t wait a few months to sit in my spot?” I asked.

  She lunged, connecting solidly with my shoulder.

  “Ouch,” I muttered, massaging the sore muscles. That was about the same force as the shifter hit with.

  I wasn’t prepared for her speed. Quick punches landed to my midsection, doubling me over and denying my attempt at breathing.

  She smiled smugly and I saw it: the raw need, the high in her eyes enhancing her limited human abilities.

  “Fuck,” I hissed. “Who did you drink from?” I demanded, standing back up.

  Fear and uncertainly flashed in her eyes before she spared a moment to look at Logan and back to me. Decision made, she came at me with everything she had, and while it wasn’t much, it took more effort than I wanted to expend to take her down to the ground.

  Leaning heavily against her ribs I asked again, “Who?”

  I heard Logan coming to squat next to me. “Acting mate asked you a question,” he growled.

  “Screw you both!” she screamed at us. “I don’t have to talk to either of you.”

  “Release her,” Logan commanded, touching my arm gently.

  I did as he instructed, watching her leave with pure disgust on my face.

  “This was planned.”

  “Yes, but you have proven yourself well,” Logan complimented me.

  I nodded, turning as the desk and chairs were brought forward. Logan sat down first and I had to ease myself down, trying not to appear too needy for the support of the chair.

  …

  We made it through the cases before we even finished our meals. Apparently, beating several shifters back to back made everyone far more agreeable to my suggestions.

  If it didn’t take such a toll, I’d make a habit of it.

  “Someone leaked the footage of me and Blake,” I whispered softly as we walked to our vehicles.

  “Yes,” Logan agreed.

  “Do you think Lorraine knew it would play here, or was she just thinking quickly on her feet?”

  “I don’t like your accusations.”

  I wheeled on him, anger flaring inside. “I don’t like being set up.”

  “I didn’t know.”

  “I’m not sure I believe you.”

  He shifted his feet before nodding. “I suppose that’s fair.”

  “And the vampire blood she drank?”

  He shifted again, settling his hands into his pockets, legs braced wide. “I know where she sleeps.”

  “Har, har, you’re a riot.”

  …

  I settled back against the SUV’s seat with a groan. Lorraine had nailed my ribs exceptionally well.

  Grams’s classical melody chimed on my phone. Starting the SUV, I hit ANSWER.

  “What?” I groaned.

  “I heard.”

  I huffed. What was there to say?

  “Do you want me to find out who leaked the footage?”

  “No, I already have a good guess as to who did that.”

  Grams voice softened, “Is there anything we can do?”

  “No, this isn’t even considered betrayal or an act of violence. It’s just disgusting and an attempt to make me feel ashamed for having sex.”

  “You are a good person Olivia.”

  “I am a succubus and a killer.”

  Grams sighed, irritated with me. “The zombies have shown up.”

  “What? Where?”

  “The same place you left them.”

  I groaned, not looking forward to seeing those detectives again.

  “Jerry?”

  “Awaiting pickup.”

  …

  Grams had a slight hitch in her information. Jerry and Mark were both waiting for me.

  I stopped at the curb, rolling down the passenger window.

  “I’m looking for a few good zombie killers.”

  Mark cracked a smile, loading his duffel bag in back before also stowing Jerry’s suitcase.

  Disgruntled, Jerry motioned me out of the driver’s seat. I moved to the back seat, watching the exchange with interest.

  Mark took shotgun, sending a warm smile back at me. “How are you holding up?”

  I shrugged, not really wanting to dwell on the fact anyone could access a very intimate moment of mine with a click of a button. There were too many memories tied to that particular vulnerability and shame. A very small part of me wondered what Blake felt about it all. His actions in the dressing room were callous and painful. Maybe he had leaked the footage? Maybe he had fed Lorraine his blood?

  There was no sense in speculation. Logan said h
e’d find out. I trusted him to do so.

  “So, what about you two?” I asked, looking desperately for a topic change.

  “We were denied our application to adopt,” Jerry hissed, smashing the gas more than necessary as we sped away from the curb.

  Mark smiled, patting Jerry’s leg.

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m a shifter and Jerry is a man.”

  “What does Jerry being a man have to do with it?”

  “The agency won’t adopt kids out to same sex parents,” Jerry seethed.

  Mark’s face fell slightly. “But at least we finally made a decision.”

  Jerry threaded his fingers through Mark’s, still on his thigh.

  “Anyone else having flashbacks from the first time we met?” I grinned.

  Mark laughed. “Did you have any idea saving Hannah would bring about our relationship?”

  “Obviously, I did have my crystal ball.”

  Even Jerry cracked a smile at that.

  …

  Jerry made excellent time heading back to Ohio. Have I mentioned I detest this state? The streets were filled with snow, unplowed and slick. Jerry gripped the wheel, pulling off the interstate into town.

  Mark gave a low whistle as the streetlights illuminated abandoned cars in the middle of the road at awkward angles. A few had run straight into each other; smoke still billowed from the forgotten mess.

  A breeze stirred papers. Shops had their pristine windows broken in and snow was slipping into the buildings.

  “I really didn’t think they would come back here,” I whispered, unhappy with myself for not even considering it.

  My only consolation was the lack of dead bodies.

  “Does a zombie bite turn like a shifter bite?” Mark asked, scanning the area we were crawling through.

  “No, but if the zombies do kill a person, the necromancer can reanimate the body,” I answered him.

  “Ever seen anything like this?” Jerry asked softly, as though scared to break the spell we had wandered into.

  “Never,” I answered.

  “It’s like walking into a horror movie,” Mark commented as we drove by a pay phone dangling in the soft breeze.

  I reached for the file in my bag and pulled out my phone, dialing Detective Miller.

  “You really think that’s going to work?” Jerry asked, seeing me in the rear view mirror.

  “I’m fresh out of ideas.”

  Jerry nodded before ringing stole my attention.