by Isa Fae
“How are you so powerful?” The man studied her like she was some weird science experiment gone wrong.
His question and his interest in her magic took her by surprise. No Fae had ever questioned her strength. Not even the Lord. How was it he had picked up on it right away, and the Lord hadn’t? “I…I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She stammered, directing her gaze away from him and toward the wall. She didn’t know if the man could read her or not, but she didn’t want to take any chances. Her secret was the only thing that could save the remaining Fae and witches in the Lord’s grasp. Besides, it was her secret. She couldn’t risk giving it up.
The man’s jaw tightened, and he took a step forward, into the room. Miranda backed up, knowing she needed to keep her distance from him. “I said, how is it that you are so powerful?” The man repeated.
She had to think about something to say. And fast. Miranda knew the guy wouldn’t ask her again. She could tell by the way he was glaring at her. His next move would be by force. She was well aware how that would go. The last time all he did was flick his finger and she woke up bound to a bed.
“I’m not any more powerful than any other witch.” She hoped the trembling in her voice wouldn’t give her away. Balling her hands into fists, she prayed to the goddess she could keep her magic under control this time. The last thing she needed was for it to accidently slip out like every other time her emotions became unstable.
The man continued to study her, his gaze roaming up and down her body. She was now thankful she managed to dress before he had found her. She didn’t feel as exposed as she did before.
Suddenly, the man surprised her by holding his hand out to her. “Come with me,” he demanded. Even though it was an order she knew she couldn’t refuse, his voice didn’t seem as harsh as it did before.
Miranda stood there, hesitating.
“You have one of two choices.” The man was clearly losing his patience as he drew in a deep breath. “Come to me on your own, or I will take you where I want to go by force. And if I take you by force, I can’t promise I will be gentle.” He pressed his lips together as if the thought excited him.
As much as she hated to be told what to do, Miranda slowly walked forward and took his hand. The tingle had shocked them both, causing them to freeze for a moment.
“That’s a girl,” the guy said, shaking off the feeling and leading her out of the room.
As he led Miranda down the hallway, she couldn’t understand how he could brush off that feeling so fast when it still continued to linger inside of her, warming every cell in her body. She knew he felt it. He had the same reaction as she did.
The man had taken her back into the room she originally came from and sat her down on the bed. She instinctively scooted away from him, pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around her legs. She looked up at him with wide eyes as he backed away.
“Please don’t tie me up again, Mister,” she pleaded, her voice consumed with worry. Miranda couldn’t stand the thought of being strapped to the bed again. “I can’t be bound to the bed.”
“The name is Eric.” He placed his hands on his hips as if he were thinking about what to do next. “If you don’t fight me or try to escape, I won’t have to tie you up.”
She nodded, taking in all of him for the first time. For a Fae, he was well built and pretty damn hot too. Which made the tingles she felt whenever he touched her even more dangerous. His short, dark hair brought out the blue in his eyes. And the black shirt hugging his tight chest enhanced his features as well. It took everything Miranda had, but she managed to look away. That was when she remembered something. Hunter. Eric.
“Winters?”
He nodded in recognition, which only made her heart sink into her stomach.
She swallowed hard. Shit, Mason had sent the best hunter in Faction Twelve after her. Miranda knew there would be no escaping this man. She had heard all the stories. If there was one hunter to fear, it was Eric Winters. He showed no mercy on any witch.
Eric chuckled. “So, you’ve heard of me?”
“Who in Faction Twelve hasn’t?” She refused to look at him now.
“Good.” He answered in a cocky voice. “Now that we have established who I am, maybe you’ll be smart enough to listen to my orders until I can get you back to Lord Manchester. But, while we are here, I need to weaken you a bit so you won’t be able to try to run.”
“Wait—what?” Miranda directed all her attention on him now. “What do you mean by that?”
Eric walked over to the doorway and turned around to face her. “You’re very strong for a witch. I can’t have that. So, I know of only one way to weaken you. Stay here.”
Fear pulsed through her as he disappeared out the door. She knew of only one way to weaken a witch as well. Miranda definitely needed to get out of here now. She jumped up from the bed and frantically looked at the doorway. There was no way she could get out of the cabin without passing by Eric. He would see her. And without a doubt, he would catch her.
Before she could make the decision to run out of the room, Eric appeared in the doorway with a knife in his hand. “I need you to sit on the bed.” He walked toward her. “This will only hurt for a second.”
Nearly hyperventilating, Miranda backed herself up against the wall, shaking her head. “Please, Eric, no! You don’t understand!”
Eric tucked the knife into his jeans and lunged for her without another word. “I knew you’d fight me on this.” He grunted as he reached to grab her, but she darted out of the way.
Thankful for the distraction, Miranda made for the door, but before she could reach it, Eric grasped her by the waist, pulling her back toward him. She swung her arms, trying to force herself loose, but he held on tight.
Spinning her around to face him, Eric grinned down at her as he lifted her off the floor and tossed her over his shoulder. Miranda kicked and screamed and flailed her arms, but this seemed to excite him even more. She was no match for his strong hold.
Eric dropped her on the bed and leaned down over her, using his knee and one of his hands to hold her down. Miranda continued to fight him, gasping in fear as he withdrew the knife from his jeans.
“Please, Eric! You don’t understand!” Hot tears stung her eyes. Only she knew what the outcome of this would be. Her secret would finally be revealed. And to a Fae. “Don’t do this! Please!”
Eric’s grip tightened, his blue eyes focusing on her. “Be still. This will only hurt for a second,” he repeated the same words as before. Almost like he was convincing himself of this.
Miranda knew different. She knew about the pain. Knew that she had once almost died because of this sick act the Fae did to witches.
He sliced his skin with the blade. Once the blood bubbled from the wound, he turned the knife on Miranda, who was now crying hysterically. She didn’t want this. Any of this. All she wanted to do was get away from the Lord. Get away from this hunter who was determined to take her back to him.
But it was too late. She felt the sting. The warmness seeping into her. There was no use fighting anymore. The damage had been done and there was no turning back.
Eric lifted his weight from her as her eyes rolled in the back of her head and her body sunk into the mattress.
Then it began.
8
Eric
Eric stood on the side of the bed as Miranda’s body jerked in unnatural ways. He had never seen anything like it. Her eyes had rolled back in her head, her lips slightly parted, and her body continued to convulse. Fae had used their blood to weaken a witch’s magic numerous times. Even he had to do this quite a few times. And Eric had never witnessed anything like this happening before. But there she was, color draining from her face and body bouncing on the bed, rendering him speechless.
“Fuck, Miranda!” He sprang forward, leaning down and slipping one arm underneath her head and wrapping his other arm around her waist, trying to keep her from injuring herself. He was no
longer worried about getting her to the Lord alive. He could care less about that. Now, Eric was more worried about losing her for his sake. Sure, she’d been a pain in his ass. Multiple times. But he couldn’t shake the feelings lurking inside of him. Feelings he’d never felt before. About anyone. His stomach twisted into knots from the fear of losing her.
The way she had looked at him, the way her touch caused his skin to tingle. He couldn’t deny the feeling. It was different. Exciting. Now, all Eric could think about was bringing her back to him, for him, even though before he had just wanted to get away from her.
He held her head tight against his chest. “I’m sorry, Miranda.” This had all been his fault, and he cursed himself under his breath for not listening to her. But he had no idea this would happen. Miranda could have just been pleading with him so she wouldn’t be weakened for all he knew.
Holding her shaking body in his arms, Eric closed his eyes and concentrated hard to push his magic into her, not caring how many atern he would have to use. He’d happily exchange years off his life to correct the damage he had done. The only problem was, he didn’t know if it would work. This was only the second time he had to use his Fae magic on a witch, and he never thought he would end up using it to heal one. Why would he? He despised the wicked creatures. In fact, if someone told him yesterday he would be saving a witch tonight he would’ve laughed and told them they were fucking insane.
Miranda’s body slowly calmed. Finally, it stilled. The only sounds in the room was the hushed exhale of her breaths and the frantic beating of Eric’s heart. He gently placed her head on the bed. Yes, he’d managed to stop the convulsions, but was his magic enough to save her?
Placing two fingers on the side of her neck, Eric sighed in relief when he felt her strong pulse. So far, so good. His gaze drifted down to her face. Sliding his hand up, he brushed his thumb over her flesh. It didn’t surprise him how soft her fair skin was. He actually expected it. He expected the tingle on his thumb as well. What he didn’t expect was to be sent after a witch who could lead to his downfall. Being a hunter was all he knew. And if he didn’t deliver Miranda to Lord Manchester, not only would he lose his status in Faction Twelve, but he’d also more than likely lose his life. Matryx was adamant Lord Manchester wanted her back. Alive. Eric could now see why. But what would the Lord do to her if he got his hands on her? Yes, she murdered the Lord’s son. At least, that was what he was told. After being with this witch for such a short time, he couldn’t see Miranda doing that. Not on purpose. Then he remembered when she unleashed her power on him. The look on her face. She didn’t mean to harm him. Could Miranda have only been trying to protect herself from the Lord’s son, or even trying to get away? He wouldn’t know the truth until she woke up. If she woke up.
He swallowed hard and removed his hand from her face. Kneeling next to the bed, he placed his elbows on the mattress beside her and dropped his face into his hands. He must have used more magic on her than he’d thought, because he now felt the weight of his exhaustion.
The faint ringtone from his cell phone caused him to jolt his head up. A signal? The phone finally had a signal. Eric stood up and looked around, trying to figure out where he had left his phone. Walking out the door of the room, he followed the sound down the hall, hoping that whoever was calling him wouldn’t hang up until he located it. Stepping into the living room with the fireplace, he noticed it was in the corner on the far side of the room. Right where he tossed it earlier before he went outside in search of kindling.
He quickly crossed the hardwood floor and scooped it up. In the rush to answer it before it stopped ringing, he failed to glance the caller ID.
“Winters.”
“Thank the Lord, Eric!” Matryx’s voice was on the other end. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for hours. The Lord has been calling nonstop. He wants to know if the witch has been found. What’s the status?”
Eric paused, not sure if he wanted to be truthful with his answer. As much as he valued his status as a hunter and his life, he still had a lot of questions for Miranda. He needed to know how she was so powerful, and why his blood sent her body into convulsions. He also wanted to know the truth about the Lord’s son. In fact, he needed to know. Was she a killer, or was it an accident? But…there was something more. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head, pushing those thoughts away. No, I can’t let these fucking feelings get the best of me, he thought. I have to stop thinking about her that way. She’s a witch, and I’m a hunter.
“Winters, are you still there?” Matryx’s voice filled with desperation. But why? “Can you hear me?”
“Yeah, I hear you.” He finally replied. “The answer is no. I haven’t located the girl yet.”
“Winters, what’s wrong with you?” Her tone went flat as if she were thinking. Eric couldn’t figure out the sudden change. “You…referred to the witch as a girl. What’s your location?”
Shit! He placed his hand on his forehead, pissed he had allowed himself to slip so easily. Matryx knew him better than anyone in the Hunter Division. She was well aware of his hatred toward witches. He had to think. And fast.
“Nothing’s wrong, Matryx, besides the fact I’ve been on this assignment for too long. Fuck, this witch has me chasing her through a snow storm. Do you know how difficult it has been for me to track her in these elements? No, you don’t, because you’re all snug and warm up in the fucking headquarters. So get off my damn back!” Hopefully reverting back to his cold, careless nature would throw her off track.
“Eric, where the hell are you?” Now he could pick up on the agitation in her voice clearly. Dammit, she didn’t buy it. He clenched his jaw and paced around the room. “I’m in the middle of the fucking forest in a snow storm! Didn’t you hear me the first time, or do I have to spell it out for you?”
“Winters, answer the damn question!”
“What was that, Matryx? You’re breaking up.” He could hear her just fine, but this was the only way he could think of to get rid of her for now. Of course, he couldn’t hide from the Hunter Division forever. He just needed to buy himself a little more time. He needed answers.
“Winters, do you hear me?” She screamed into the phone. “Winters—”
Eric ended the call, turned his cell off, and tossed it on the sofa. He’d never betrayed them before. Ever. He wasn’t only the best, but he was also the most dedicated. Until now.
What the fuck is this witch doing to me? He spun around and walked over to the fireplace, staring into the flames smothering the wood. Once he got the answers he needed from Miranda, he’d make sure he delivered her back to the Lord. Then he’d walk away from her forever. He couldn’t risk his reputation with the Hunter Division for a witch. No. There was no witch, not even Miranda Sage, worth giving up his life for. At least, that was what he kept telling himself as he pulled himself away from the fire and made his way back to the witch.
9
Miranda
Fucking kill me now!
If Miranda could speak, those were the words she would scream to Eric. Instead, she found herself once again trapped in this miserable, burning hell. While everything around her remained dark, the flames continued to lick their way up her body. The last time she was in this position she was only a child, and she would have died if it wasn’t for her mother. Her mother had traded her life for hers. There was nobody who could help her now.
If only the hunter would have listened to her. But, no. Like most of the other Fae, he thought he’d known it all. And now she would die. But dying wasn’t the issue right now. It was the searing pain consuming her insides. No. Death would be so much better for her right at this moment. In fact, she welcomed it with open arms.
Something cold touched her forehead, and even though it took everything she had, she tried to focus on that coolness instead of the fire. She needed something to pull her out of the darkness, away from the torturous pain eating away at her insides.
Breathe, Miranda. Focus. Breath
e. By repeating these words over and over again in her mind, she thought it would distract her from the fire. But it didn’t. The flames seemed hotter and fiercer than the last time this happened. Before she had blacked out, suffocated by the intense heat, and then after her awakening, overcome with a sickness greater than the plague from her old world. To see her mother’s lifeless body lying next to her. Face pale. Skin cold. All atern drained from her bracelet. Luckily for her, the Fae had already left, most likely thinking Miranda wouldn’t survive. But she did. And she lay on that cold, damp concrete floor for days. Next to her dead mother. She hated the Fae then, the reason why she agreed to join Millenia and the Renegades in the first place. That had been a mistake too. Everything in her life had been a mistake. Shit, she couldn’t even save Sarah. And she was sure Ronan and everyone else under Lord Manchester’s control was being punished because she had escaped. The man was poison. Control. Power. Eternal life. That was all he cared about. He was going to take her escape out on the witches and Fae she vowed to protect.
Another wave of heat crashed into her, causing her to arch her back. “Fucking kill me!” The words finally escaped through her lips, followed by a low growl of agony as she gripped the sheets on the bed and squeezed until her fingers went numb.
Reaching deep inside herself to heal her body with magic wasn’t an option right now. All of her concentration focused on pushing away the excruciating pain. She could feel the Fae blood invading her veins. Eric’s blood.
“Please…kill me,” she cried, tears pushing their way through her closed eyelids. Miranda dared not try to open her eyes.
Her back arched up again as the fire rolled into her, but this time something pushed her body back down on the bed. A tingling sensation merged with the heat.
“I know it hurts, but I need you to stay still.” His warm breath brushed against her ear, his voice a faint whisper as if he was speaking to her from the other end of a tunnel. “Concentrate on my magic, Miranda. Feel it pushing through your veins.”