Page 24 of Hostile Holiday

Hunter asked, “Where did you learn to do that?”

“Books, Hunter. I learned it all from books. This particular spell is called smother. First, her magic, and then I usecompel truth.”

“He was terrifying!” The woman blurted out. “I was barely seventeen, and he was sliming around at me. I compelled her to do it, and I didn’t let go until her son was born.”

“So, she was tied to the monsters.” Orla nodded. “How have your marital prospects been in the last three decades? Any courtships, fiancés? Lovers?”

The woman looked ill and shook her head. “I just thought I had bad luck.”

“You did. Very bad luck. No kids for you. No love for you. You betrayed the one who trusted you the most.” Orla smiled. “And now, I will take your magic.”

She lifted her hand, and a bright orb left the woman and ended in her hand. “There we go.” The orb went from bright gold to winter white.

Hunter murmured, “Orla, that is inappropriate.”

“Oh, I am giving it back. I am just giving her the pain I felt as a child, the feeling of being tortured and hunted. The feeling of watching my mother tumbling down the stairs and holding her hand as the light went out in her eyes.” She raised the ball. “When you use your magic, that is what you will feel. The pain of a daughter watching her mother die.”

The ball flicked back to her aunt, and her eyes widened. She staggered back with a hand clutched to her chest, and as Orla watched, her grandparents and uncle did the same.

She looked at Hunter. “They all pushed her. It was about power.”

Olmin growled. “That isn’t allowed. It is against the agreements that keep us moving as a society. Forced mating results in unstable offspring. That is a well-known fact. You created that monster. Grendal.”

Orla looked at Olmin. “Did he murder your kitten as well?”

Argo jolted. “He killed your kitten?”

“Yes, and Grandpa made me watch while Dad held Mom back.”

Argo got up. “I will rip his fucking face off.”

Orla stood calmly and pulled her sword. “If you do that before I get to him, I will not be happy.”

Argo blinked. “Where did you have that?”

She shrugged and sheathed it. “It is there when I need it.” She sat back down.

Olmin blinked. “You are really a fallen star.”

She shrugged. “Apparently so.”

Her biological father stared at her in wonder. “I never thought we could manage it.”

Orla tilted her head at him. “You must have tried really hard because here I am.”

The Brenethkis were staring at her.

Orla smiled at them. “Don’t think you will get any additional benefit out of me. I hate politics and don’t move in your circles. Also, after having Winter break the curse on me, I have sealed my blood. No more spells or power drains from others.”

Her father said, “I just want to get to know you. Your mother was a wonderful woman.”

“Yes, she was.” Orla smiled. “For a little kid, she was the best hugger, best protector. Her ability to make a palatable sandwich was a definite issue.”

Her mother’s mother gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.

“None of her family attended the funeral. It was just me and the monsters.” Orla sighed. “Well, I am glad to see where my face came from.”

Hunter blinked and shook his head. “Right. Both of the clans waive the right to interfere with her?”

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