Page 274 of The Cruelest Undead

“He said not to open doors. If you go out there, that’s opening a door.”

She hesitated.

“I can’t help it, my love. I feel like someone is hurting, and I want to help them. What could possibly happen by just wandering around and taking a peek?”

He shrugged.

Truth be told, he was curious too. This man was their son’s other mate. It was weird and bizarre, but it was their world now.

“I’ll go with you.”

She smiled.

“You always were up for an adventure.”

Well, honestly, what choice did he have? His wife was always getting them into trouble.

He headed her way, and they held hands as they moved through the door and down the hallway.

It was rock walls, and seemed to go on forever. At a door, she peeked inside, and there were stairs.

“It’s coming from down there.”

“I don’t know, Barb. That seems…”

His wife ignored him, opened another door, and headed down the stairs.

Against John’s best judgment, he also went down, and tried to catch up to his wife.

It didn’t take them long to find the woman locked to a stone with chains, crying.

She was sitting there shivering.

“Please help me,” she whispered. “He’ll be back soon, and then, he’ll hurt me more.”

Barb stayed back.

“Are you trying to kill my grandbabies too?” she asked, lifting a brow.

Aiobeheann shook her head.

“No. I was a witch a long time ago, and I’m still being punished. My mate died, and I’m scared and all alone. I didn’t do anything but love someone. My heart is breaking. I’m like Persephone. I’m trapped here.”

Yeah, Aiobeheann had heard her talk. Death couldn’t stop all of her magick. She was getting stronger now that she’d taken a peek inside a priestess’ head.

Barb gasped.

Oh, that was terrible.

“So you’re a witch?”

She nodded.

“I won’t hurt you,” she said. “I can’t. I no longer have any of my magic. Do you have any food? I haven’t eaten in a long time.”

Barb felt bad for her.

“I’m sorry. We don’t.”

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