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Now. I had to get to Hadley now. My blood was burning with the need, the urge to protect her.

“You’re welcome to come.” Despite the urgency and anxiety rushing through my veins, I was somehow able to speak in a calm tone. “You can ride bitch or follow me. Your choice.”

Not willing to waste another second, I turned to my bike, not looking back. I didn’t need to know if he was following me when I tore off down the street.

I already knew he would. Both of us had a stake in what happened to Hadley Harris.

twenty

HADLEY

I knew within the first few minutes of entering her home. It looked nice. Orderly. Impeccably clean. But there were small patches of dust in the window I passed by, patterns smudged in it that would look like nothing to the layman, but that I recognized as a sigil.

Broom by the door, bristle up. Warding.

Marks on the doorframe, again something that might’ve looked like wear, but I knew it was more warding. The air smelled different too. Thicker. Black candles were scattered in uncommon places around her house, burned almost to the wick. Though it was a little cliché, white witches used white candles to purify, black to call in darker magic.

Oh, and then there was the subtle, upside-down cross nestled in a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf.

I cursed myself once again for being so blind. I’d spent my entire time in that town chasing my own tail, only to realize that the two creatures I needed to find were the ones I’d met on the first fucking day there. The two people I’d spent the most time with. Shame and rage mingled in my stomach as I went through the motions of making pleasantries with Shay, barely able to get my words out.

Shay. The demon-blessed witch. The woman who was responsible for killing my parents, cursing my ex, and killing a whole bunch of people.

She was dressed in slacks, a simple blouse, hair pulled back. Looking every ounce the shy, meek woman I’d run into that first day at the gas station.

Yet it had been nothing but a farce. All of it. Smart. Very smart. She’d fooled me, after all.

“You want to sit?” She motioned to the sofa. “You look pale.”

On wooden legs, I accepted her offer, taking a seat.

I wanted to go for my gun, my blade. All of which—pardon the pun—were useless. The rage inside of me was brewing, turning into a tempest, desperate to break free. I hadn’t been able to kill anything since finding out about Colton. My body wasn’t used to that. I identified a monster, killed it, then moved on. It was a relief to lay my eyes on it. Or it would’ve been if I hadn’t been so fucking stupid.

“You’re the demon-blessed witch,” I remarked flatly, staring at Shay, unable to pretend for a second longer.

Even as I said the words, she seemed to change. Her posture straightened, her hair seemed to grow longer, and her nails curved into claws. Gone was the meek woman from moments before. It was impossible to think what stood in front of me was in any way human.

I momentarily forgot how to breathe when the air soured.

I’d heard rumors that dark witches could change forms, if they were old enough or if they had committed enough crimes against humanity. Their powers would eventually turn them into demons, chained to hell for eternity.

That’s what the lore was. I’d always wondered if it was intended to scare regular witches away from forbidden magic, saying they’d have proverbial hell to pay if they dabbled in the dark side of magic.

“Took you long enough.” Shay smiled, sauntering around the living room with a confidence that hadn’t existed moments ago. She must’ve known what I was, but she didn’t seem afraid, not even a little. And Shay was exceptionally smart, to fool even me. And exceptionally powerful too. If she wasn’t worried that I was a threat, it was likely because she was much more powerful than I and had the upper hand.

My heart thundered as I assessed my current situation. I was not easily ruffled or afraid, but a cold clutch of fear climbed up my throat.

I sat on the sofa, casually, even though all my muscles were taut. I crossed my leg over my knee, keeping my eyes on her. Fighting wasn’t going to serve me right then. Neither was running.

None of my weapons would work on a demon-blessed witch. A silver blade doused in blessed holy water would slow her down but not kill her. Plus, those were hard to come by since finding a true priest to bless them was becoming harder and harder. Only finding her talisman and the true name of the demon she made a deal with would send the bitch packing. Demon names weren’t my forte, especially not the names of demon princes. I hadn’t even known they’d existed until yesterday. Therefore, I needed to get her talking.

“You made the deal in high school?” I bobbed my ankle. “It’s been you from the very start.” Shame still coated me like oil, at what a fool I’d been. The monster stared me in the face not five minutes after I came to town, yet it had taken me almost a month to see it.

“Not completely stupid after all,” Shay’s smile widened. “You have quite the reputation as the hunter, though it is ill-gained, in my opinion.” The barb stung, as if she knew I was reeling from my own incompetence. She walked to her shelves, pulling out a book to reveal a hidden alcove.

“Very Nancy Drew.” I didn’t rise to the bait, though my hands fisted in outrage. “Nice.”

“I like it.” She shrugged, her back to me.