The Last Witch: Volume One

I open my eyes to find I’m in my bed back at The Orchard and surrounded by people. I’m relieved to see Amara, Collins and Gabriel here in one piece. They’re dirty and covered in soot and ash. But except for a nasty-looking black eye on Amara, they look relatively unharmed. They linger by the door with a cumulative look of dread. Collins is gripping onto Amara with both hands, and none of their eyes leave Grayson for a second. The Coven Leader is standing at the base of my bed with his arms folded across his chest and a deep furrow on his angry brow. As they watch him, he watches a lady in a white coat check me over. She tells me she’s a doctor. Her hands are gentle and careful, but I still flinch when her hand touches my skin.

‘I told you!’ Grayson growls at her. ‘She doesn’t like being touched. How many times…’

So, she has the idea to put latex gloves on, and it’s bearable. After running her fingers gently over the ridge of my nose and examining the back of my head. She pulls out a small light which she shines into my eyes.

‘How does your head feel?’

‘Sore,’ I reply, blinking painfully against the bright light. She lowers the torch with a slight frown.

‘And your vision? Blurry? Do you see double? Anything out of the ordinary?’

‘I feel a bit sick. The room’s spinning a little. And my head’s throbbing.’

She pulls off the gloves and turns to Grayson.

‘I suspect a small break on the ridge of her nose which should heal in about three weeks. The bruising will fade by then too.’ She directs her next question to Amara. ‘You say her head hit the ground hard?’

Amara nods keeping her eyes down.

‘How many times?’ she asks. ‘There are several lumps and cuts on the back of her head so I would expect more than one blow.’

‘Three,’ I answer for myself. ‘I think.’

‘Are you worried about a concussion?’ Grayson asks.

‘She has a slight concussion. So keep a close eye on her. If she struggles to stay awake, has any numbness, problems with vision, or bleeding from her ears then let me know as soon as possible.’

‘You’ll stay here for a few days,’ he orders, not giving the woman a say in the matter. ‘I want you close in case you’re needed.’ She gives them a small bow before leaving.

Everyone stays precisely where they are but watches Grayson nervously.

He’s not happy. Not at all. Even I can see that. But they all look at him as if he’s a bomb that could blow at any second.

‘I’m okay, Grayson. Honestly. I’ve had worse,’ I tell him, waving my hand dismissively and showing him a carefree smile. But the steely glare I get back soon wipes any cheeriness from my face.

‘How did he know? Hmm? Not only that we had her, but where you would be? We didn’t even know you were going to get that idiotic tree until a couple of hours before you left.’ He looks to them as if expecting an answer. But none comes.

‘He knew her name,’ Gabriel tells him. ‘Knew her mum was dead. Her aunt and uncle too. He even said he knew her dad, but that could have been a complete lie. He’s not the most trustworthy person. But one thing’s clear. Someone in this house must have told him. There’s no other explanation. We have a traitor in the house. Someone is leaking information.’

Grayson throws an accusatory look at me. ‘Do you know Theo?’

‘When I was little, he came into the house where my mum, dad and I lived. There was a fight, but we got away. Mum grabbed me and we ran. Scared the hell out of her. Enough to send her to Harry’s.’

‘And your dad?’ Grayson demands. ‘What happened to him?’

‘I don’t know. He wasn’t there when Theo came. After we left, I never saw him again. Mum just said he must be dead.’

‘Does any of this matter? Theo knows she’s here.’ Gabriel’s freaking out. ‘She’s not safe. What do we do?’

‘We? Now I’m involved in the decisions that are made in order to keep her safe? Maybe if you had listened to me in the first place, none of this would have happened. You let him get close enough to almost kill her. Whose fault is it this? HUH?’ We all jump as he yells. ‘Either you left her side and this is your fault. Or she left yours, and it is her fault. Because I distinctly recall telling you both to stay together.’

‘It wasn’t his fault-’

‘I turned my back for a moment, Grayson. I got distracted. It was my mistake entirely. Lilly did nothing wrong. Neither did Collins or Amara,’ Gabriel says in no uncertain terms.

Grayson charges over and punches him hard in the face.

‘HEY!’ I bellow, throwing the covers off me so I can get to my feet. ‘Don’t you dare hit him!’

Grayson grabs his throat and sends his lightning through his body. Amara screams and backs away horrified as I run forward and grab Grayson’s other hand, but he yanks it away.

‘STOP!’ I bellow.

‘I warned you,’ he snarls in his brother’s face. ‘Didn’t I? If she came back as anything less than she was, you would pay the price. You weren’t able to protect her because you’re pathetic. Useless.’

I take the cuff off and separate them with a wave of my hand. I then put myself between them, protecting Gabriel with my body as the room swirls around me.

‘He’s not useless. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him!’

Grayson gets quickly to his feet.

‘Move,’ he warns. But I shake my head. ‘MOVE!’

‘No, Grayson. Calm down!’

He starts forwards and I back up, straight into Gabriel who’s just barely to his feet.

‘GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY!’ Grayson grabs my arm and hurls me back on the bed, but I miss and my head connects with the bedpost instead. I land in an uncoordinated heap on the floor clasping my forehead. I don’t get a chance to gather myself before he’s on me.

‘SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!’ Grayson bellows, lifting me to my feet by my wrist so aggressively, my feet leave the ground momentarily. ‘STOP INTERFERING IN THINGS THAT DON’T CONCERN YOU! I’M THE LEADER! ME!’

‘GET OFF ME!’ I scream in a terrified panic before slapping him hard across his fury-filled face. As he turns back to look at me, I know I’m in big trouble.

‘You dare raise a hand to me.’

‘I just want you to get off me,’ I whimper. ‘You’re scaring me.’

‘YOU DARE!’ He twists my wrist and I scream in agony as I’m forced to my knees.

‘You’re going to break my wrist! Grayson, please…stop!’

‘Maybe I should. You’re as feral as a goddamn mutt! You need a strong hand to teach you some discipline and respect!’

‘Grayson. Get your hands off her, and step away,’ Gabriel orders in an extremely formidable and authoritative tone. His eyes are pure black.

He’s using his magic.

Grayson’s face goes from angry to murderous as he releases his grip on me and steps back.

‘Lilly, go to Collins,’ Gabriel orders. I run to the door to stand beside Collins and Amara just as instructed. I should be pissed that he’s using his powers on me, but I’m just relieved to be out of the way. Amara takes my good hand. She’s shaking. I am too. Collins stands in front of us both and gently guides us out of the way but shares our look of horror.

Gabriel’s blackened eyes remain on his brother.

‘I may not be able to hold a compulsion with you or Theo for long,’ Gabriel tells Grayson. ‘But a few seconds is all I need. Don’t you dare grab her like that. Ever. You hear me?’

‘How dare you,’ Grayson says slowly. ‘How dare you control me. I would turn and run if I were you…little brother.’

‘I’m not leaving. I’m not running from you. I told you. This is all my fault. I let Theo get close to her. I took her out of the house. Me. I’ll take your punishment, Grayson. Not her. I deserve it.’

What? That’s all a lie. And he most certainly does not deserve to be punished.

Gabriel’s eyes return to blue and Grayson’s body becomes his own again.

With a low growl, he storms up to Gabriel and slams his fist into his face so hard Gabriel falls to the floor spitting blood. I rush forward, but Collins holds me back.

‘You can’t help him,’ he whispers. ‘You’ll just make it worse.’

‘Get off me!’ I demand.

Gabriel calls my name. ‘Don’t intervene,’ he orders with black eyes. ‘You stay exactly where you are and keep quiet. All of you.’

I have no choice but to stand with the others and watch Grayson’s “punishment”.

I flinch at every thud and every moan as Grayson beats his brother mercilessly. And what’s worse is Gabriel does nothing to defend himself. Not a single thing. The urge to throw up as I watch this violence has me clutching my stomach. I hate that I’m so useless. I hate that I can’t help him.

I hate that this is all my fault.

When Grayson’s done, he stands and looks to us all in turn. There’s sweat on his brow and murderous anger in his eyes. He stretches out his fingers, easing out the pain that must be on his knuckles. And Gabriel’s blood drips from his hands onto my bedroom floor.

‘Does anyone have anything to say?’ Grayson snarls.

I can’t take my eyes off the bloody mess of Gabriel’s face as he lays at the base of my bed clutching his ribs and coughing. Gabriel rests his finger over his lips. It fights every instinct I have to keep quiet. But I know that if I did argue back, it would be Gabriel that suffers. So, I keep my stupid mouth shut.

‘No? No one wants to add anything?’ He looks straight at me. ‘You think I’m out of line, Miss Hooper?’

Tears are falling down my face. Angry, hateful tears. Right now, I hate him. If I had the strength, the resources or the willingness to walk away from a beaten Gabriel, I would be out of the door, and I would never come back.

‘Well, I’m not.’ He points down at Gabriel. ‘He was supposed to look after you. He let Theo get close enough to almost kill you. It’s his fault that you’re hurt right now. Not mine. All of this could have been avoided if you had just done as I asked in the first place.’ He steps over his brother, pushes Collins out the way and stands so close, I feel his breath on my face. ‘You almost died. Your friends almost died. All so you could buy a Christmas tree? Was it worth it?’ He stares at me, unblinking and infuriated. ‘That’s not a rhetorical question, Lilly. I want you to answer me. WAS IT WORTH IT?’ He roars, making me flinch and cower back.

‘No,’ I answer, trying so hard not to let him hear the wobble in my voice. None of this was worth it.

‘You need to start trusting me and my judgments. You have no idea what kind of world you live in. How could you? You’ve spent your life hidden from it. Gabriel knows the consequences of letting me down. And now, so do you. The punishment delivered is fair so I won’t hear another word about it. From now on, if you wish to stay in this house and continue having the protection of my Coven, you will stay on the grounds and do as I say. You will let me keep you safe and alive because the fate of our entire species rests on your shoulders! Stop being so selfish and stubborn.’

He waits for my response. How can I respond to this? Part of me wants to apologise, part of me wants to slam my fist into his face. Whose fault is it that Gabriel’s hurt right now? Mine. I insisted I go with them to buy the tree. I couldn’t fight Theo off as Gabriel offered to trade himself to keep me safe. Theo was right. Everyone that gets close to me gets hurt. Everyone dies. And as Gabriel blinks blood out of his eyes and struggles up to his knees, I have a moment of clarity.

The threats beyond these walls are far greater than I ever thought. Theo’s lethal. Then there’s Grayson. He thinks I’m his. He was ready to kill John for touching me. Gabriel and I are close. I believe this beating and show of force is as much about getting Gabriel to back off me, as much as it is about keeping his position of leader crystal clear. He could turn me out at any moment. I don’t want to leave. This place could be my home. I have friends here. Safety. Acceptance.

I need to start making an effort. I need to fall into line. I need to keep Gabriel safe.

I’ll put distance between us. Make Gabriel believe that there’s nothing worth protecting in me so he won’t end up in this position again trying to defend me.

We can’t be friends. Not if it means this every time he tries to protect me.

‘Do you wish to stay?’ Grayson asks.

‘Yes.’

‘Then you will do as you are told. Understand?’

I nod. ‘I understand, Grayson. I’m sorry,’ I say with forced politeness.

‘Get back to bed and rest. I’ll be up to check on you in a while. And you,’ He looks at Collins while pointing at Gabriel. ‘Get him to his room.’

He leaves.

Collins gets Gabriel up and helps him out into the landing. When they pass me, Gabriel reaches out his hand to me asking if I’m alright. A ridiculous question to come from a man who’s been beaten as he has. I dodge his hand.

‘What have I done?’ he asks indignantly with blood in his teeth.

‘Just stay away from me,’ I tell him. I sound angry, but really, I’m frightened. Terrified of getting them hurt. Again. He frowns.

‘I just took a beating for you. And what…you’re pissed at me?’

‘I didn’t ask for you to take a beating for me, Gabriel,’ I bite back. My hands are trembling, and everything hurts but I stand straight. I stand firm. ‘You forced me to stand aside and do nothing.’

‘You don’t need to ask me to protect you, Lilly!’ His irritation seeps into every one of his words. ‘I care about you. I protect the people I care about!’

‘Yeah?’ Well, I never asked you to protect me. I never asked you to care about me.’ I see the hurt in his eyes as I spew my venomous lies. ‘And to be quite frank with you, you presume too much to think that I would ever want you to care about me. So do me a favour. Stay the hell away from me. I don’t want you inserting yourself into my life. Assuming that I need a big man to keep me safe. So, go find someone that does. Because if you’re looking for someone to rescue, it sure as hell ain’t me. Go.’ I gesture to the door. My whole body has the shakes. Fuelled with adrenaline, fear and anger. They all stand there staring at me with their mouths open. All except Gabriel who looks thoroughly pissed off. ‘You can glare at me all you want,’ I tell him. ‘You won’t find a swooning mess in here. Your stunt just shows weakness. I have no time for weakness. Get out. GET OUT!’ I need them to leave. They have to go right now because, for all my words, which are all complete bullshit, I’m about to burst into tears.

They back up. Gabriel, brushing off Collins who’s helping to keep him on his feet.

‘Fine,’ Gabriel spits ‘You don’t want me or my help?’

‘No. I don’t.’

‘Then I’ll go. You can deal with Grayson on your own. You ungrateful cow.’

As soon as they’re beyond the door, I slam it closed with a wave of my hand, return my cuff to my wrist, curl up on my bed and scream into my pillow.

We’re outside a door standing side by side and hand in hand.

Toby’s is cold to the touch. Like always. Mine, a clammy, shaking mess.

I tighten my slick grip on him and he, in turn, gives me a reassuring squeeze.

I stare at the plain, basic white door with a small silver doorknob. Ordinary, really. Normal. He watches me looking at it. I feel his stare like a burn on the side of my face.

The house is silent. Everyone’s asleep…except us.

This is our time. Ours.

Mine.

I’m in his shirt and my knickers, and he’s wearing just his light grey, faded jeans.

His body is perfect. A chiselled six-pack. Smooth, pale skin. But there are scars on his body. Mainly his back. Not as many as mine but it bonds us together. I suppose.

He lifts my hand and kisses my knuckles.

‘Are you ready?’ he asks, his eyes shining mischievously in the dim light.

‘I…I don’t think I can do this,’ I whisper, looking at the door. Terror and doubt are filling every inch of me.

‘You can,’ he whispers, taking my chin and guiding my face to him. ‘You have to. Prove to me that you can do this. That you’re strong enough.’

‘What if I fail?’

‘Then…you’re not who I thought you were,’ he says grimly. ‘Go through that door. Do what needs to be done. Or I’ll leave, and never come back,’ he says simply, looking away from me to the door ahead of us.

My hand tightens on him even more, causing his knuckles to grind together.

He can’t go. He can’t. I won’t let him.

I open the door and go in.

The room’s dark.

The only sound I hear is the deep, steady breathing of Harry’s maid laying asleep in the bed beneath the window.

I walk silently across the room and stop by her head.

I look at her as she sleeps, so peaceful and tranquil.

‘Do it,’ Toby whispers in my ear, the same as a lover would whisper sweet nothings. ‘She deserves it. She deserves to die. Do it for me, Red. Kill her for me. Kill her for yourself.’

Her eyes flick open, and she goes to scream.

‘KILL HER!’

Her shrieks follow me into the waking world. They echo in my ears louder than any screams I’ve ever created. I bury my face in my hands and push the whole thing away. I force it from my mind and shake it off.

The morning’s arrived, and with it, a ray of beautiful sunshine streams through the crack in my curtains. It doesn’t suit my mood, which is bleak at best.

When I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I gasp. There’s a big gash right across my nose and a bruise reaching from my cheek up to my eye.

Painkillers! I need painkillers.

∞∞∞

As I head into the kitchen, I’m greeted by a skinny arse sticking out of the fridge. Surely that’s not Amara. I clear my throat. The mysterious girl stands and spins around.

It’s Ava.

Seeing her standing in red lace knickers and one of his T-shirts makes my insides feel like they’ve hit the floor. Even though I know it has no right to. Especially now I’ve decided that I can’t carry on being his friend, let alone anything else.

‘Lilly…right?’ she says, holding a bottle of champagne in one hand and a large bar of chocolate in the other. When I don’t respond, she rolls her eyes and shrugs, closing the fridge door. ‘I hear you had a rough night?’ She smirks while looking at my nose. ‘Gabriel and I are celebrating,’ she tells me, holding up the open bottle of champagne. ‘Aren’t you going to ask what we’re celebrating?’ Her smugness is making me twitch.

I walk up to her and take the champagne from her hand.

‘That you got rid of your chlamydia, finally?’

She laughs and points at my face. ‘Sexy. Give me my champagne back?’ she asks, holding out her hand. ‘Gabriel’s waiting for me. I don’t want to keep him waiting too long.’

‘No,’ I turn and stride through the back door.

Fuck her and her celebration. Fuck them both.

I wish I’d put a jumper on over my long-sleeved black top, but I wasn’t planning on coming out here, so why would I?

As I walk away from the half-naked bitch who’s going back upstairs to be with Gabriel, I tell myself not to cry. The pain in my body from the attack yesterday and imagining Gabriel with her really hurts. I shake my head and will those nasty feelings away. It doesn’t matter. I’ve made up my mind anyway. She’s welcome to him. It’s the best thing all round.

I walk across the lawn barefooted in the dew-covered grass, seeing my breath in the air and enjoying the taste of the Laurent Perrier champagne for breakfast. When I spot the pool house, I make my way towards it. Thankfully, the door’s unlocked.

The hum of the filter and the slight slap of the water on the sides of the pool are the only things I can hear. There’s no one here.

Two of the walls are made of nothing but tinted glass. I can see out, but no one can see in. Perfect. The other walls are all dark red brick. The floors too. The pool’s an impressive size. Bigger than the outside one. There are several round porthole lights lining the bottom alternating between red, blue, yellow and purple. It’s peaceful but most importantly…empty.

Rolling up my jeans, I lower myself onto the edge and dip my feet into the warm water.

Ah, that’s heavenly.

I close my eyes and soak in the tranquillity. As I sip this delicious champagne, I wish I could stay in here forever. With my eyes closed, I see images of Gabriel and Ava rolling around upstairs in his bed. Opening them makes it less vivid, but that sharp pang of jealousy is making me want to scream.

There’s a light tap at the door, but it’s enough to make me jump. Amara pokes her head around and smiles awkwardly at me.

‘Morning, Honey. Can I come in?’

I tap the space next to me, happy that she’s here. Hopefully, she’ll help me take my mind off Gabriel and the mess from last night.

‘I just walked past a half-naked Ava bitching to Gabriel about how rude you are. Apparently, you said she had chlamydia?’ she laughs. ‘Couldn’t you have slapped her or set her on fire? I really hate that girl. She’s such a bitch.’ Sitting herself down next to me she stares at my face with her nose scrunched up. ‘No offence, Honey. But you look awful!’

I run my finger along the edge of her black eye. ‘You don’t look too good yourself.’

‘Oh, this?’ She shrugs with a sweet little smile. ‘I’ll cover it with make-up and no one will be the wiser. It doesn’t hurt that much. I could cover yours up too if you like?’

‘Nah. It doesn’t bother me.’

She dips her feet in the water with me as I rest my head on her shoulder with a sigh.

‘I’ve made such a mess of things, Amara. I should never have gone out yesterday. Have you seen Grayson this morning?’

‘Briefly. He’s still in a foul mood. He was so angry that you got hurt yesterday. It would have been sweet if it wasn’t so scary.’ She lets out a massive yawn.

‘Didn’t get much sleep either? I was tossing and turning all night.’

‘Not really. I waited up for Collins. He was with Grayson and Gabriel all night talking to the Nomads that know about you, trying to figure out how Theo knew where to find you. He’s much scarier in real life. I’ve heard stories about him, but nothing I’ve heard does him justice.’

She tells me he’s been around as long as the others, but unlike them, he doesn’t want the veil down. Odd, because he’s a witch. When I ask her why, she says she doesn’t know.

‘Collins changes the subject when I ask. I know it’s not my place,’ she says slowly. ‘But can I say something?’

‘Of course you can.’

‘Please be careful with Grayson. He’s a very clever and powerful man. He gets what he wants one way or another. Collins and I have seen how he is with you. He wants you, and I’m not sure what would happen if the feeling wasn’t mutual.’

‘It’s not mutual. It never will be. The arse called me a feral mutt and nearly snapped my wrist last night.’ I sip my champagne and offer it to her.

‘It’s eight in the morning,’ she scolds. But she holds out her hand anyway. ‘I’ve never had champagne. And yeah, not a great Grayson moment if I’m honest. He’s always been… temperamental. But I have to admit, how he was with John and Gabriel was a little extra crazy than I’m used to.’

‘Have you heard from your dad?’ I ask, handing over the bottle and changing the subject as I do.

‘Nope.’ She rolls her eyes sounding like she couldn’t care less. ‘Grayson said I can stay here for a while with you. So that’s cool! He’s only doing it to win points, but hey.’

‘That’s great news.’ It really is! I clear my throat and ask, ‘Is Gabriel okay?’

‘He thinks you’re mad at him and he blames himself for you getting hurt. He’s also furious at you,’ she adds, looking at me sideways. She bites her bottom lip.

‘Go on. Spit it out. I know you want to.’

‘Well…’ she takes a deep breath, ‘You were a bit…’

‘I was a massive bitch,’ I tell her. ‘I was horrible, ungrateful and vile.’ I look at her as the quizzical crease on her brow deepens. ‘Grayson attacked him, Amara. He beat him badly. Because of me.’

‘That’s…well, that’s not, entirely, true,’ she says, not believing her own words.

‘Yes. It’s entirely true. It was all my fault.’

‘That’s not fair-’

‘I could have got you killed.’ I run my finger gently along the bottom of her bruised eye once more, hating that she has it and that it’s my fault. ‘I got you hurt and for what? A tree?’

‘Theo got me hurt. With his fist. Which he hurled into my face. Not you. And not Gabriel. Grayson’s reaction was completely out of line. And if I’m being honest, so was yours. Gabriel was just trying to look after you, and you threw it back in his face. He cares about you. He was just trying to help.’

‘Yeah, he was trying to help me at the tree lot and got hurt by Theo. He tried to help me with Grayson, and Collins had to carry him out of my bedroom. I won’t give Grayson a reason to go postal on Gabriel again. I won’t. If it means losing him as a friend then so be it.’

‘Hang on…’ She scoffs and shakes her head as she realises. ‘You’re pushing Gabriel away to protect him. Last night wasn’t about punishment for letting Theo get too close at all. It was Grayson acting out of jealousy. Putting Gabriel in his place. And that scared the hell out of you because…you have feelings for him, don’t you? For Gabriel!’

I shrug and avoid her stare. Swigging from the bottle instead of answering her question. But my reaction may as well be me screaming at the top of my lungs that yes…yes, I bloody well do!

‘He has feelings for you too,’ she says with certainty.

‘Not as much as he cares about Ava, clearly,’ I mutter, taking a sip of champagne to wash out that bitter taste of jealousy. I groan as she continues to look at me expectantly, her eyebrows raised. We sit in silence and drink the champagne.

‘Gabriel’s compulsion doesn’t really work on Grayson or Theo. I wonder why?’

‘No idea. And to be honest, I don’t really care. I’m more worried about you. It can’t have been nice seeing Ava this morning. Not if you have feelings for Gabriel.’

‘Honestly? It sucked. I know he has this reputation with girls, and he said himself he flirts with everyone. But it still feels really shit.’ I take a sip of the champagne. ‘It doesn’t matter how I feel. It would cause nothing but trouble with Grayson, and it’s pretty obvious Gabriel doesn’t do feelings. He does sex.’

‘Good sex I bet,’ she says before laughing.

‘Yeah,’ I laugh too. ‘I bet.’

I squeeze her hand and feel like I have a real friend for the first time in my life. I mean, she saved my life last night instead of running to protect herself. Can’t get any more real than that!

∞∞∞

One bottle of champagne later, we start walking back to the house. As we cross the lawn, we meet Gabriel and Collins heading towards us. The cuts and bruises on Gabriel’s face look similar to mine, but days older. They really do heal fast! I wish I could say the same for my guilt over him getting hurt, or my anger that he had Ava here last night.

‘There you are,’ Collins calls over. ‘We’ve been looking for you everywhere. You alright?’

‘We’re fine,’ Amara says happily.

Gabriel’s eyes linger on my impressive black eye as we stop in front of each other. Amara and Collins embrace as we stand a little awkwardly to the side. With a few small shuffling steps, Gabriel’s standing close.

‘Are you okay?’ he asks, running his finger gently along my bruises. ‘About last night. I wanted to apologise for what I said to you-’

I move away and out of reach from his touch, hating that I know where those hands have been, and carry on towards the house.

‘What’s up with you?’ he asks, jogging after me.

‘Nothing,’ I insist, trying not to look into his eyes as I quickly make my way across the lawn. ‘I just want to go inside.’

‘I know Grayson frightened you last night, but I’m fine! Perfectly fine. See?’

‘Yeah, that’s great. Excuse me.’

‘You fancy a walk?’ he asks. ‘I could take you around the orchard again. We could talk-’

‘No. Thanks.’

He blocks my path and holds me in place by my shoulders. Still, I avoid looking into his eyes, but he waits. So, I look up.

‘Are you really still angry at me? I thought last night was just you lashing out. Have I missed something and genuinely pissed you off?’ he asks. ‘Because if I have, can you just tell me? Trying to guess what a woman actually means when they say “They’re fine” is arduous work.’

‘Can you move?’ I barge past him when he doesn’t budge and carry on, but he doesn’t give up and follows me.

‘Did you sleep well?’ he asks keeping up with my pace.

‘Yep.’

‘You spoken to Grayson this morning?’

‘Nope.’

‘What are you doing today?’

I stop, and so does he.

‘What is this? Twenty bloody questions? What do you want, Gabriel?’

His eyes narrow a little, and suddenly he looks very serious.

‘I heard you had a run-in with Ava this morning,’ he says, folding his arms. I just stand there waiting for him to make his point. ‘Well? Did she say something to you?’

‘Go ask her.’ I walk past him, but he blocks my path again. I groan as I stop.

‘I’m asking you.’

‘No,’ I tell him. ‘She didn’t say anything. Can you move now?’

He grabs my arm to stop me and leans down into my face. ‘You know, I don’t have to put up with how you speak to me. No one else would dare treat me with such disrespect, so maybe you could make a bit of an effort-’

‘And what? Bow? sir?’ I yank my arm free. ‘I already have Grayson demanding I lick his boots. I don’t have the energy to feed two male egos. Tiptoeing around you is the least of my priorities. You want someone to curtsy and tell you what you want to hear? I suggest you go find Ava. Because I’m done being a doormat for arrogant men who use sex as a weapon against me.’

‘Oh!’ he scoffs. ‘So this is about Ava. I knew it.’

‘No,’ I scoff back.

‘You’re pissed off that I had her over.’ He watches me with his eyebrows raised and looking beyond smug. ‘Deny it.’

‘I don’t care who you have over.’

‘You might want to say that with a bit less venom. I might believe you then.’

‘I really don’t care. Honestly. Like I said last night, I don’t want you.’ He flinches at my words and the guilt I feel cuts me to my core. ‘If you would rather be with her-’

‘Than with who?’ he asks, stepping forwards as I inwardly slap myself for saying that. ‘Than you? Is that what you want to say?’

‘No…that’s not what I meant-’

‘Because it was you that kicked me out of your room after I took that beating. You can’t tell me to stay away from you, then get mad when you see me with someone else.’

‘I don’t care who you’re with. Now move,’ I warn. Again, he doesn’t let me pass.

‘Then why are you being such a hostile cow?’ With a laugh, he shakes his head. ‘I knew you’d act like this when you saw her.’

‘Like what?’ I’m almost growling at him.

‘Like a jealous child. I knew it. You’re so predictable.’

‘Did you plan this? You wanted me to see her so what…I’d get upset?’ I laugh now because he blinks back at me embarrassed. ‘If you did then you’re pathetic. Manipulative. Clearly, you and Toby spent too much time together.’ I barge into his shoulder and walk away. ‘Thanks for making this so much easier,’ I call back to him.

‘MAKE WHAT EASIER?’ he shouts after me. ‘LILLY! MAKE WHAT EASIER?’

∞∞∞

My heart’s hammering and I’m shaking with anger as I slam the patio door shut behind me. But if I was hoping for some peace, I was wrong.

‘There you are,’ Grayson calls, striding in with a large coffee in his hands. ‘I wanted to run something past you.’

I don’t mean to groan as loudly as I do. My reaction has his eyebrows up.

‘Sorry. Long night,’ I sigh. ‘What can I do for you?’

‘Have you ever heard of something called a Bloodstone?’ he asks, his tone not quite as friendly, but pleasant enough. I couldn’t care less.

‘No.’

‘Well,’ He takes a seat on a stool and gestures for me to join him. I do. ‘It’s a stone made from the blood of two or more witches. If you and I made one together, it would mean that I could find you no matter where you are. If Theo had taken you last night, he wouldn’t have got far with you. I would have been able to find you very quickly and bring you home safely.’

That actually sounds like an excellent idea. But he’s not done explaining the full purpose of a Bloodstone.

‘The second thing it does is give the flow of your magic to me.’

‘Excuse me?’ This, I don’t like the sound of. At all.

‘It’s not as bad as you think, the stone belongs to you. You have to willingly give it to me for it to work. If you take it back, the link is gone straight away. It is magic based on trust. It has to be mutual. When I’m holding it, I can give you access to your magic or cut you off when you start to get overwhelmed. It only works with the binding spell. You don’t want it…you take the cuff off, and you are back in control. What do you think?’

‘I may as well just stick to the cuff.’

‘But with the stone…I could find you.’

‘But you would determine when and if I use my magic.’

‘Only when you’re wearing the cuff. It doesn’t work without you having the binding spell on you.’ This is turning into a row.

‘Sorry.’ I shake my head. ‘But no. I need to keep my magic mine.’

He looks disappointed, but not angry. ‘Okay. No problem. It was just an idea.’ Wow, he took that well. ‘There was something else,’ he adds.

‘What?’

‘I wondered if maybe you would like to have dinner with me tonight.’

I don’t know what’s worse. The way my stomach suddenly drops or the look on his face when he spots how much I don’t want that.

‘You’re upset about last night,’ he says as if that’s obvious. ‘Look. I was angry. I shouldn’t have grabbed you like that, and I am sorry,’ he says with some serious charm. ‘So, what do you say?’

‘I say no,’ I tell him in no uncertain terms. His eye twitches but that’s tough.

‘Just like that?’ he laughs. ‘No?’

‘I understand that you’re the Coven Leader and have the authority to dish out punishment as you see fit. I accept that, because I want to stay here. But I’m afraid your temper and cruelty has completely destroyed any romantic feelings I might have had for you.’

‘I just explained that last night was a mistake.’

‘You battered your own brother, and were a second away from breaking my wrist.’

‘I would never have broken your wrist.’

‘I’ve done the whole dark, dangerous and angry boyfriend routine. And I’m not interested in doing it again, Grayson. I’m sorry if that upsets you, but I can’t do all that again. I don’t want to, so no. I will not be joining you for dinner. And if that alters your offer for me to stay here with you, then please let me know. And I will pack.’

Hendrix walks in holding a mobile phone. ‘Boss. Billy’s on the phone. He has a lead on…err, everything okay?’ he asks with a quick look at me. Grayson looks livid. What’s new?

‘So that’s how you feel?’ he snarls. ‘I lose my temper once, and you strike me off completely?’

‘Yes. That’s how I feel. And I’m afraid that making me date you is not an order I will follow. So, if that’s all, Mr Kendryk, I’m under orders to get as much rest as possible. If you’ll excuse me, sir.’ I give Grayson a small bow, the same as all his other subordinates. And leave them standing in silence before heading into the lounge feeling very empowered.

∞∞∞

‘Hey, Honey,’ Amara greets me tiredly, slumping on the sofa beside me. ‘So, Gabriel’s pissed off with you.’

‘Grayson’s not too happy with me either. Maybe I should go poke Hendrix in the eye and go for the trifecta.’

She laughs and starts flipping through the channels. Finally, she settles on a film. After a while, I lay my head on the armrest and pull my knees up to my chest. I got no sleep last night. I’m exhausted. Thankfully, with her close, it’s not long before I drift off to sleep.

I’m standing in the hall.

Beyond the door, I can hear screaming. Blood-curdling, angry, terrified screams and I know, I know that one of those screaming voices belong to me. The other, to the maid. The third voice belongs to Toby. But he isn’t screaming. He never screams.

He’s laughing.

All of us, out of sight, beyond the door even as we stand here.

How can that be?

He’s urging me to go in. To do what needs to be done.

‘I’ll leave,’ he says. ‘I’ll go and never come back. Get in there and do it.’

‘I can’t. Please. I don’t want to,’ I cry. I plead.

As we watch each other, him with a sly grin and me, with tears gliding down each cheek, the hall begins to fade into another place.

The concrete walls become wooden planks. The low ceiling becomes high wooden rafters. The grey carpet floor becomes grey stones, covered in blood.

‘Lilly…Lilly wake up!’ Amara whispers as she shakes me roughly. I open my eyes which are beyond heavy, thankful that she’s pulled me out of the disturbing nightmare. That damn place is burnt into my mind. The thick blood. The need to escape. The failure to flee. It was the Millers’ barn I think. Perhaps my memories aren’t missing after all. Perhaps they are just in hiding. Like Gabriel said. If I remember, will I go mad again? Will my hair turn white? My brain’s protecting me, but the events may be too strong to be denied their rightful place in my mind.

‘Lilly!’ Amara gives me another shake, snapping me back to the present. It’s dark outside. I’ve slept all day. I grab her wrists to stop the vigorous shakedown she’s giving me and sit up.

‘What’s the matter?’ I moan, rubbing my eyes and trying to wake myself up.

‘Something’s happening in the lobby,’ she tells me.

The angry yells of Gabriel get me to my feet, and together we sneak to the door.

‘What’s going on?’ she whispers nervously in my ear, trying to look out.

‘How the hell am I supposed to know?’ I whisper back with an eye roll and putting my finger to my mouth. ‘Shh. We need to listen.’

‘Get him in my office,’ Grayson orders as he walks through the front door and into the lobby. Billy, Collins and Hendrix are close behind, along with a handful of Nomads.

Gabriel walks inside dragging a man through the lobby towards Grayson’s office. The stranger’s hands are tied behind his back, and a gag is shoved in his mouth. But that doesn’t stop him making it difficult for Gabriel to keep a hold of him as he kicks and thrashes, trying to get himself free.

‘He hasn’t said anything?’ Grayson asks, watching Gabriel and the restrained stranger disappear into his office.

‘Not a word,’ Billy replies.

‘Who’s that?’ I whisper in Amara’s ear. He looks familiar.

‘That’s Malcolm,’ she whispers back. ‘The bloke that came here with that creep John.’ We share a look of confusion before returning our eyes back to them.

‘He’s supposed to be in Italy. Where did you find him?’ Grayson asks.

‘Believe it or not, he was at the Miller’s barn,’ Billy replies.

‘The Miller’s barn? As in the massacre involving Lilly?’

Billy nods. ‘Yes, sir. The farm and the barn are completely derelict. The Miller’s haven’t even been on the land in over ten years. We found Malcolm inside ranting down the phone to someone like a madman. He kept saying he couldn’t find it. That it wasn’t there. As soon as he saw us, he smashed his phone and went silent.’

‘Any idea who he was talking to or what he was looking for?’

Billy shakes his head.

‘Any sign of Tim or John?’ Grayson adds.

‘Tim, yeah,’ Billy sighs. ‘He’s dead. Throat slit and his body hidden in the barn. Been there a few days by the looks of it. Tim’s always been loyal to the cause. My guess is Malcolm killed him, probably because he threatened to tell us he refused to go to Italy to look for the Hooper boy. They never left the country. No sign of John I’m afraid. But, sir…there’s something more worrying.’ Billy hands him a folder full of papers. Grayson flicks through them, his face getting more and more concerned. ‘They go back years. She can’t be more than fifteen in this one,’ Billy adds, pointing at something inside the folder.

‘They’re all of her?’

‘All of Miss Hooper, yes.’

What’s all of me? What’s in that folder? Amara takes my arm as if reading my mind and holds me in place.

Grayson starts to turn in our direction, so we duck out of sight.

‘The girls are asleep. I would rather Lilly not know about any of this. Especially after yesterday. Come into my office, all of you.’ As they all move, I peek out.

Billy and Grayson are walking into his office followed by Hendrix and Collins. Hendrix is about to close the door, and my opportunity to learn what’s going on will be gone. Amara tightens her grip on me as I shuffle.

‘Don’t,’ she whispers. ‘Grayson doesn’t want you to know. It’s not worth making him angry again.’

‘Stay here. Keep out of sight. I’ll be back.’

I charge out from my hiding place and run across the lobby before Hendrix can close the door and jam my foot in it.

‘Err, boss?’ Hendrix says nodding at me in the doorway. ‘We have company.’

‘Get her out of here,’ Grayson says with the briefest glance in my direction. Like none of this concerns me.

‘I don’t think so. Grayson, let me in.’

The Nomad that grabs my hand gets a firm slap around the face.

‘Touch me again, and you’ll regret it,’ I warn. ‘I have a right to be in there.’

‘You want to stay?’ Grayson asks. I nod. ‘Fine.’

∞∞∞

Gabriel’s beautiful features are twisted in hatred and malice as he stands behind Malcolm who’s on his knees.

‘She can’t stay in here, Grayson. Get her out!’ Gabriel demands, but Grayson simply smiles and shrugs.

‘She’s not a prisoner remember? If she wants to be here, she has every right.’

‘Lilly, you need to leave,’ Gabriel insists. ‘This isn’t going to be pleasant.’

‘I need to know what’s going on.’

‘Fucking ridiculous,’ he mutters, looking at me with nothing but hostility. ‘Stubborn idiot.’

His words are harsh and the look on his face extremely hurtful. He leans into Malcolm’s ear and tightens the grip he has on the back of his neck.

‘You better start talking, Malcolm,’ he warns.

Malcolm keeps his eyes down and although he’s shaking, has blood flowing freely from his nose and a black eye, he holds his resolve. Gabriel yanks his head back by his hair and looks down at him. Gabriel’s eyes slowly begin to turn black.

‘Your brain is on fire. Your skin is melting. Feel it.’

These words uttered by Gabriel have Malcolm yelling in agony. The more he screams, the more Gabriel smiles. His eyes flick up to me as if to say- you should have gone when you had the chance.

‘Start talking, Malcolm, and I’ll stop. What are you doing with all those pictures of Lilly? Why were you at that barn? Who were you talking to on the phone?’ Gabriel asks the questions slowly. He’s in no rush to end his suffering. I can’t stand it. The agonised shrieks coming from Malcolm are unbearable. I go to stop it, but Collins takes my arm and holds me back.

‘Please don’t get involved again, Lilly. Malcolm’s gone rogue. We think he had something to do with Theo knowing where to find you,’ Collins explains quickly and quietly.

‘You think he’s the leak?’ I ask.

‘It certainly looks that way.’

There’s a knock on the door. Gabriel’s eyes return to their familiar blue. As they do, Malcolm’s screaming stops and I find myself relieved. Even though he may very well be the reason I was attacked yesterday. Gabriel looks at me briefly before ignoring me entirely and looking to the door. He’s still mad at me. But right now, there are more important things happening.

‘Come in,’ Grayson calls. The door opens and a Nomad walks in holding more piles of papers. Grayson looks nervously at me as they pass me.

‘Don’t even think-’ Grayson’s warning doesn’t stop me. I snatch one of the papers and in the Nomads efforts to pull them away, he drops them all over the floor.

They’re not papers. They’re photos. I’m left looking at dozens of pictures…of me! Me at my uncle’s house sitting outside in the garden beneath the tree, studying in the library and even sleeping in my old bed.

‘Where did you get these?’ I ask with hardly any voice. Shock has taken it from me.

‘The barn, Miss.’

‘Are they all of her?’ Gabriel asks.

The Nomad glances nervously between us. ‘Yes, sir.’

I lean down and pick up one by my foot. There are slashes all over it.

I take a step closer to Malcolm, but Collins retakes my arm. I glare down at Malcolm who still has his eyes on the floor.

‘Why would you do this to my picture?’ I demand.

he says nothing.

‘Tell me why you have all these?’

I look at the others at a loss for words. What the hell is happening?

‘Did you find the men we asked for?’ Gabriel asks Billy.

‘I did. They’re outside,’ Billy replies before heading to the door. He leans out into the lobby and starts talking to someone I can’t see. ‘You three. Inside. Now.’

Three men walk in, heads down and sickly white. They stand by the map-covered wall and stare, terrified, at their feet. I don’t know what has me more uncomfortable. The tension, the photos or the fear on these men’s faces.

‘So…’ Grayson says in an eerie calm as he strolls toward Malcolm. ‘You left this house to look for Harry Hooper’s son in Italy, but never boarded the plane. Instead, you killed Tim and have been skulking around that old barn with hundreds of pictures of Lilly. These photos go back years. Start explaining yourself.’

Malcolm says nothing.

‘Have you been speaking to Theo?’ Again, Malcolm doesn’t say a word. ‘Did you tell him she was at the tree lot?’ Not a word. ‘Why didn’t you go to Italy?’

Silence.

Slowly, Grayson turns his attention to the three men.

‘Let’s start with you then. You are here because I’m told you are close friends of Malcolm’s, so I’m going to ask a question. Anyone is free to answer and understand me when I say I won’t ask twice.’

He seems so calm he may as well be talking about the weather. As he makes his way towards the men, he picks up his miniature sword letter opener and spins it playfully in his hand, making sure they all see it.

He stops in front of the man in the middle. A well-built man in his thirties. He’s almost twice the size of Grayson, but he trembles in fear.

‘Joe…right?’ Grayson asks. The large man nods. ‘Hello, Joe. Let me tell you how this is going to go. I’m going to ask Malcolm a question. If he doesn’t give me an answer, you will pay the price.’ Grayson places his hand on Joe’s shoulder and lowers him to his knees. Joe’s breathing gets shallower as his shaking intensifies.

I don’t like this.

‘Grayson, please don’t hurt anyone-’ I plead, but he holds up a finger silencing me. It’s not enough. ‘Please. Don’t do this. Don’t torture them.’

‘Lilly,’ he says, anger piercing his calm tone. ‘You will either stand there quietly, or I will have you taken upstairs to your room where you will stay until I find out exactly who it is trying to hurt you. What will it be? Stay and hear the answers for yourself? Or go and carry on living in the dark.’

I look up at Collins for some kind of support. He takes my hand in his.

‘It will be okay,’ he whispers quietly. ‘Stay by my side. It’s alright.’

I grip him tightly.

‘I’ll stay,’ I tell Grayson.

‘Good. Now, Malcolm. Did you take these pictures of Lilly?’ I look at Malcolm, whose stubborn refusal to look at anyone tells me he has no intention of speaking.

Grayson points at Joe’s forehead with his finger and pushes his head back, slowly exposing his neck. What is he doing?

‘Malcolm. I suggest you start talking,’ Grayson says. ‘Or poor Joe here will pay the price. Tell me, who took the photographs of Lilly? Whoever it was knew that she was alive years ago. Tell me.’

Malcolm says nothing but stares at the floor breathing hard and looking pained.

‘Malcolm…please,’ Joe says quietly, looking between Grayson and his friend. But Malcolm holds his tongue.

Grayson’s hand grips the sword, and in an unbelievably quick and powerful motion, slices open the man’s throat. His blood sprays over the man to his right.

I scream and slam my free hand over my mouth as Collins takes an even firmer hold of me. Horror and fear overwhelm me completely. Grayson’s not torturing them. He’s outright killing them!

Joe clamps his hands over the deep gash, but the blood spews out of him at an astounding speed. He falls in a heap on the floor and twitches as he turns paler and paler until finally, he stops moving altogether.

Grayson doesn’t even blink as he steps over him to the man on the right. A man in his thirties with short black hair. He has mist-like blood on his face and is trembling.

‘Is he going to kill them all?’ I whisper.

‘Try and keep calm,’ Collins replies quietly. I couldn’t react any other way than I am right now! I’m completely in shock.

‘Who were you talking to on the phone, Malcolm?’ Grayson asks in precisely the same way as he lowers the second man to his knees. His hand grips the blade hilt tighter ready to strike.

‘Come on, Malcolm. Carl’s your friend. You’ve known each other since you were kids,’ Billy urges, but Malcolm says nothing.

‘Mal…’ Carl whimpers. ‘Just tell him what he wants to know! Be loyal, Mal. We’re on his side! sir, please, I’m on your side. Always.’

We all wait, but Malcolm remains silent. Carl’s eyes scrunch up as Grayson deals out another fatal swipe. He falls to the floor choking and gurgling on his own blood. My hands have started shaking as Grayson sets his sights to the last man. He’s no older than twenty, if that. His bottom lip’s trembling as he stares straight ahead. Grayson lets him stay on his feet.

‘This boy here is your nephew, isn’t he?’ Grayson asks slowly, resting the tip of the blade on the young man’s neck. ‘Surely you won’t let him die?’ Grayson digs the knife in, creating a red bead that slides down the blade and onto his hand.

‘Malcolm, for god’s sake!’ I plead. ‘Just tell him what he wants to know!’ I don’t even know these people and I can’t take it.

‘My question to you is this. What were you looking for in the barn?’ Grayson asks.

‘JUST ANSWER HIM!’ I scream, eyeing the knife. He remains quiet but is very agitated. When Grayson raises his hand, Malcolm attempts to move. To get free of Gabriel’s grip and help his nephew. But with a horribly smug grin, Gabriel orders him to stay.

‘I CAN’T TELL YOU! I CAN’T!’ Malcolm bellows.

‘Shame,’ Grayson says, bored. He starts to bring the knife down.

‘NO!’ he pleads. ‘STOP!’

Grayson stops just as the tip of the blade meets the boy’s neck. I’m holding my breath. The boy too as he sits with his eyes scrunched closed, waiting for death.

‘What were you looking for in the barn?’ Grayson asks.

Malcolm is torn. He wants to save his nephew. But he seems incapable of revealing the answers Grayson and the rest of us are so desperate for.

‘Who were you talking to on the phone?’

Tears begin to tumble down Malcolm’s cheeks. But still, he remains quiet.

‘Did you tell Theo about Lilly?’

‘Let my nephew go. And I’ll tell you what I can,’ he replies.

‘Tell me what you know right now, or your nephew dies.’ Is Grayson’s counteroffer.

They watch each other in silence. Neither willing to concede.

‘You have three seconds,’ Grayson says simply. ‘Three..’

‘If I tell you, I’m a dead man.’

‘Two…’

‘Just let him go!’

‘One.’ Grayson slices the young mans throat with speed and ruthlessness. The harrowing wail that Malcolm produces is traumatic in itself. But his cries of pain and misery soon turn to yells of hatred and rage as he sets his eyes on the man that just murdered his friends and family. There’s such anger in his eyes. If looks alone could kill, we would all be dead.

‘You wait. You will pay for this. He’ll make you pay,’ Malcolm growls.

‘Who?’ Grayson enquires, cleaning the blood from his blade with the hem of his shirt. ‘Theo? That’s who you’re working for?’

Malcolm turns to me. ‘The photos of you belong to him,’ he says cruelly. ‘He knew you were in that house with your uncle long before you even met him. He watched you for years. Waiting for you to become a woman. You were a child when he first watched you sleep. He said that he loved you even then. That waiting for you to grow up was agony. He’s coming for you, Red. And he’ll kill everyone here to get you back.’

‘What did you call me?’ I whisper, suddenly filled with a completely different form of fear.

‘You heard me. Red.’

‘Is h-he mad at me?’

‘Oh yeah. But you know him. Pay your dues, he’ll forgive you. He’ll make you watch as he tears them all apart. He’ll make you suffer for a while. But then he’ll love you again.’ He keeps staring at me. Like it was me that killed his people. Like this is all my fault. ‘He wants you. He’s coming to get you.’

‘Who?’ Gabriel growls.

‘They won’t be able to protect you,’ he laughs. ‘Not from him and not from yourself. You’re incapable of refusing him.’

‘I’m not.’ I can barely speak, because if he’s telling the truth… if Toby knows where I am and he has his sights set on me, I’m beyond screwed. I’m worse than dead. I’m doomed.

‘Who’s he talking about?’ Gabriel asks.

‘Toby,’ I reply. ‘He’s talking about Toby. He used to call me that. Red.’ I briefly gesture to my hair.

‘They’re coming for you,’ he sings.

‘Who else is working with him other than you?’ Grayson demands as he stands by my side.

‘Oh, plenty of people. More than you could ever imagine. He’s the rightful leader of this Coven,’ Malcolm says, looking Grayson dead in the eye. ‘Not you. He has plans. Big plans. And if you get in his way, he’ll kill you all. He will take his place as leader, and you’ll be left in the gutter where you belong, Grayson.’

‘How dare you-’

‘How dare I?’ he scoffs. ‘How dare you. How dare you take what’s his. How dare you touch his woman. How dare you cast him out. You have no idea what Toby is capable of. You have no idea what she is capable of when they are together.’ He looks at me with a weird admiration. ‘I do. I’ve seen it. When they are together…they’re magnificent.’

Gabriel’s eyes go black once more. ‘FEEL PAIN!’

Malcolm screams. He screams and cries and thrashes. Grayson takes the bloody knife and starts driving it through Malcolm’s palm. His cries are of utter agony.

‘WHO ELSE IS WORKING FOR TOBY?’ Grayson bellows as Malcolm screams. ‘WHAT WERE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE BARN?’

Gabriel’s torture is worse than anything I could have ever imagined. There’s blood coming from Malcolm’s nose, and soon, his bloodshot eyes are almost completely red as the blood vessels pop.

‘STOP IT!’ I scream. But they don’t. I can’t take it. It’s too much. There’s too much blood. Too much pain. Too much screaming. I do the only thing I can think of and take off my cuff. I toss Grayson and Gabriel aside with a wave of my hands and stare down at Malcolm with terrified tears and a heavy weight on my chest that feels like it wants to kill me.

Malcolm blinks up at me with bloodshot eyes and red streaming from his nose and mouth. The brothers jump to their feet, and the Nomads raise their weapons. I hold up my hands.

‘Stop! Just stop!’ I plead. ‘No more violence. There’s a better way.’

‘No. There is not!’ Grayson snarls. ‘Now move aside.’

‘You take another step, Grayson,’ Malcolm warns. ‘I won’t say another word.’

I turn back to Malcolm as the others begrudgingly stay put.

‘Why would you join him?’ I ask. ‘He’s the devil incarnate.’

Malcolm gets to his feet. Everyone around us tenses and readies themselves to attack and protect me if necessary. But he’s in no condition to hurt anyone. And he knows it. I take a step closer. And so does he.

‘Where’s Toby?’ I ask. ‘Tell us where he is, and I promise you that no more harm will come to you.’

‘Come closer, and I’ll tell you,’ he says, taking another step forward. There’s no fear in his voice. None at all. With another step, he’s standing in front of me. Closer than I’d like.

‘Lilly…’ Gabriel warns.

‘Tell me,’ I order, holding up my hand in a bid to keep Gabriel quiet.

There’s a loud bang. I scream as the window behind Malcolm shatters just before his head explodes. Blood, skull and brains splatter over Grayson and I just as he flings himself on top of me as a human shield. We crash onto the floor next to Malcolm and what’s left of his head. I stare at his body in silent shock as Grayson lifts his head and looks around. There are no more bangs, and no one else has been hit. But someone’s shot Malcolm through the window.

Straight through his head.

Grayson’s soon on his feet and barking orders at the Nomads to get outside and find who shot him. Everyone runs around in a mad dash following his orders as I just stay on the floor looking at the gaping hole in Malcolm’s head. I have his blood in my mouth and in my eyes. I feel its warmth trickling over my skin. I can’t move. I can’t breathe. How have I ended up in the middle of all this violence and death? I never thought anything could make me feel more afraid than what I lived with at Harry’s.

‘It’s okay,’ Gabriel says gently, lowering himself down onto his knees beside me and helping me sit up. ‘Look at me. Not him.’ He brushes the hair out of my eyes and wipes my face clean with the cuff of his sleeve. ‘You’re alright, Beautiful. Let’s get this blood off. Hey…’ he takes my face in his hand and makes sure all I can see is him. ‘You’re alright.’

‘Gabriel,’ I whisper as I shake uncontrollably. ‘W-what…’ I look over my shoulder at the three men with blood still pouring from the gashes in their throats. ‘Oh my god. Oh my god.’

‘You’re alright. Look at me, not them.’ He keeps wiping my face clean, but there’s too much blood.

The room’s in chaos except for us on the floor. He pays no attention to any of it, just me. Even as Grayson kneels next to us.

‘Is she okay?’ he asks Gabriel as he checks me over and helps with the pointless task of trying to clean me. ‘We can’t let her be alone. We have to keep her safe. It’s the only thing that matters! Toby obviously has people working for him, and he’s coming for her. She’s gone really pale. I think she’s going to-’

I start gagging. A waste paper bin is thrust in front of me as I throw up the little food I have in my stomach. Grayson rubs my back as Gabriel holds my hair out of the way.

‘I told you she shouldn’t have been in here for this,’ he hisses. ‘This is too much for her to cope with!’

‘Were you expecting someone to splatter us with Malcolm’s brains?’ Grayson argues back. ‘Because if I’d have known, I wouldn’t have let her in here, would I?!’ He guides my face to his so I can see his dark, concerned eyes. ‘It’s alright, sweetheart. I won’t let Toby get to you.’

I stare at the bodies of four men through pools of tears, either from shock, horror or the vomiting. Toby’s got moles in the house. They’re working with him to overthrow Grayson. He’s coming for me. Who just shot Malcolm? Why?

Grayson looks to Gabriel.

‘There haven’t been any other shots. And the hit was direct to Malcolm’s head. They were aiming for him. Not us. Why?’

‘To stop him talking I imagine. We had Malcolm, and if they know us, they’d know we wouldn’t have stopped until he talked.’

‘Toby wouldn’t want us to know who he has planted in the house.’

Torture. Murder. Conspiracy. Threats. It’s too much. Way too much. But more frightening than any of that is the idea of Toby setting his vindictive sights on me. I’ve seen what he does to the people on his wrong side. Better dead than on the wrong side of Toby Smith. Believe me.

He knows I’m here. He’s coming, and he will cut down anyone who gets in the way of his target.

Me.

‘I need to go,’ I say weakly, pushing their hands off me and getting to my feet.

‘Of course,’ Grayson replies. ‘I’ll take you upstairs to get cleaned up-’

‘I’m leaving. I need…I have to…’

I walk away, stumbling and holding onto furniture as I go to keep myself on my feet.

‘Lilly, Lilly wait!’ He calls after me as I turn to the front door instead of the stairs. ‘Gabriel, stay here.’

The lobby’s full of Nomads running here, there and everywhere. They bump into me as I make my way through them straight to the front door.

No shoes and no socks doesn’t hinder my determination. I’m outside the front door and sprinting down the driveway to the main gate. When I hear hurried footsteps following me, I spin round and shove Grayson away from me. He looks at the spot where I just pushed him and takes a deep breath to calm himself.

I turn, carrying on with my retreat before he can say anything. He runs ahead of me and stands his ground, holding his hands up to stop me.

‘You can’t go. I need you to stay. I need you safe.’

‘Move. Grayson, I need you to move right now. I’m not fucking about.’

‘Neither am I. Come inside and calm down. I’ll make you a cup of tea.’ He takes my arm and attempts to bring me back.

I snatch it away. ‘Tea? Fucking tea? Do you have any idea of what just happened? This violence is worse than anything I saw at Harry’s. You promised me safety.’

‘I’m trying-’

‘There are four dead men on the floor of your office. Three you killed and one shot by an unknown person that could very well have been my former lover. Never mind the psychotic witch that tried to kill me yesterday. A witch you didn’t even have the goddamn courtesy to tell me about! Hendrix seems hellbent on hurting me. John was tortured in front of me. And you’re so unpredictable, I never know if you’re gonna kiss me or hit me!’ I shake my head and laugh with a desperate hysteria. ‘I can’t. I can’t! I just can’t.’ I stumble on the jagged stones as I storm past him, but I don’t care. I need to get away, but he runs after me.

‘The world is far more dangerous than I am. I assure you. Lilly, you can’t go!’

Putting my hand over my cuff, I raise my brow. ‘Try and fucking stop me, Grayson. I never agreed to help you. I never said yes when you asked me to help you break down the veil. I am not your prisoner, and I am not your fucking girlfriend so move. Let me leave.’

‘I’m just trying to keep you safe! For all we know, he said those things to make you run. So Toby can get his hands on you.’

‘He has people in your house!’

‘I’ll find them.’

I try once more to get past, but he stops me.

‘Please, Lilly. Please. I just want to keep you safe.’

‘YOU CAN’T!’ I’m borderline frantic. ‘Not from him! And not from you!’ I point out past the gate and into the darkness as if he’s out there. ‘If Toby’s coming, I can’t be here. I can’t be anywhere near him, please …’ I can’t hold back the desperate tears that are becoming stronger than my anger. ‘Please move aside.’ I walk past him and get as far as the gate. I give it a shake, but it’s locked. I look back at him. ‘Open it, Grayson. Let me out.’

‘No,’ he says, shaking his head.

I close my eyes for a second and take a deep breath to try and calm myself.

‘Open it,’ I repeat when I open my eyes.

He walks towards me, making me back up. ‘I said no.’

I shove him away. He barely moves, but his eyes flash dark.

‘OPEN IT!’

‘NO!’

Another shove and he grabs my arms pushing me back against the gate.

‘I’m getting really sick of your refusal to do as you are bloody told!’

I come apart completely and just burst into tears. I don’t struggle against his grip. I don’t argue. I just sob.

‘I’m so scared,’ I confess. ‘I can’t live like this. I can’t. I’d rather be dead.’

He leans in suddenly and lands me with a possessive kiss. An unwanted kiss. I shove him away with all my strength making him stumble.

‘WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!’ I scream, wiping my mouth and throwing my arms in the air. ‘WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT’S OKAY?!’

‘WHY DO YOU KEEP PUSHING ME AWAY?!’

‘BECAUSE I DON’T WANT YOU!’

I turn back to the gate and rest my head against the bars feeling lost, powerless, afraid and confused. And all I can think about is how I wish it were Gabriel here with me. Not him. I hear his footsteps as he makes his way slowly towards me and he settles his hand on my shoulder. I flinch and shrug it off, gripping the bars and sobbing desperately.

‘What the hell am I going to do?’ I cry. ‘I can’t face him, Grayson.’ I slide down to my knees still gripping the bars tight and continue my wailing. ‘I’m not strong enough.’

‘It will be okay,’ he says gently, kneeling down with me. ‘You won’t have to fight him. We will.’

‘You don’t understand. What he does…what he turns me into… what if I’m not strong enough to resist him? What if he turns me back into who I was?’

‘I won’t let him get anywhere near you for that to happen. Please, come inside. It’s not safe out here.’

I just sob, shrugging off every attempt he makes to touch me, and cling to the gate, afraid that if I let go, I’ll be lost forever.

‘Listen. Theo and Toby are out there. Not to mention Hunters. You can’t leave here without ending up in one of their clutches. You need protection. Let me protect you. I promise, no more violence. No more killing. And I will not kiss you again. I swear. Let us all protect you. There is absolutely nowhere safer for you than here.’

‘It’s not safe for you if I stay. Any of you. Toby will use the people I’m close to. Amara, Collins…Gabriel. I can’t bear to put them at risk. I can’t.’

‘You let me worry about that. Come on,’ he prises my hands from the bars and holds them in his as he looks into my eyes. ‘You don’t have to face him on your own. If he comes here, he’ll find an army between you and him. Trust me. You’re safer here than anywhere else. You have to know that. I swear to you, I will never let anyone hurt you. Not while you have my protection.’ He stands and helps me up. ‘Let’s get you inside and cleaned up. Okay?’

∞∞∞

There are Nomads everywhere. As we make our way past Grayson’s office, Gabriel closes the door so I can’t see the carnage inside. Too late for that. It’s burned into my brain forever.

‘Is she alright?’ he asks gently.

‘She will be,’ Grayson replies. ‘Send some tea up, will you? Actually…make it something stronger.’

I avoid looking at him. My eyes are still streaming with tears. Amara and Collins are in the lounge. She seems almost catatonic as he holds her close.

All the curtains in the house have been closed, keeping us out of the unknown gunman’s sights while the grounds are searched.

We walk in silence up the stairs. Once we’re in my room, Grayson tells me that things will look better in the morning. I don’t see how. Those men will still be dead. Toby and Theo will still be out there. Hunters too.

A Nomad brings up a bottle of whiskey with two glasses, then quickly leaves. As Grayson puts a drink in my hand, he assures me that I’m safe and that no harm will come to any of us.

Tell that to the men on his office floor.

‘Do you want me to stay?’ he offers.

I shake my head, but he stays put. I simply turn and go into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I hear him leave after a few moments muttering a swear word, and get myself into the shower.

I spend hours rewashing my hair. Every time I do, more blood and brain matter seems to come out.

In bed, I cry until I’m too exhausted to cry anymore. No matter where I go or who protects me, he’ll get me. Toby’s everywhere. He always was. I can’t stay here.