A Witch's Fury (13 page)

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 wouldn’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
he’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.