Page 95 of Secrets & Curses of Crimson

“No one will be killing my family except me,” I declared. So Jesper was planning on screwing over my father. I didn’t know what was better, my father being the leader of Elloryon or Jesper. “Forgive me, queen, but you made a big mistake when you came here last time. You told Genia she could have the blood witch coven if you died. So now she is betting on that. It's why she had you bring thebloodstone.”

“But if I die, I will just go back to Exile.”

“No, she is going to force you to give it to Cassius and then kill both of you.”

“I need a fucking drink.” Della breathed as she started rummaging through the kitchen until she found liquor and popped it open, taking a swig from it. “All of this lying and deceit is disgusting. I can’t believe fae haven’t become extinct yet.”

“Alright… This has been a really fucking long day.” I groaned and took the bottle from Della and took a swig to help calm my racing thoughts. “Here is what is going to happen. I’m going to pull you into the courtyard and pretend like I am punishing you, then I will fucking gut Genia. How does that sound to everyone?”

Gods, I kind of wanted Jesper to witness his mother’s downfall. But I couldn’t risk keeping her prisoner.

“Sounds good.” Della and Lyra nodded. First, though, I grabbed Lyra’s shirt and pulled it down so I could make sure she didn’t have a blood mark. She didn’t.

“Sorry, I had to make sure.” I frowned at her. “You need to be hysterical when I unfreeze them.”

Lyra immediately became hysterical before pausing.

“Let’s do this; I want to see Genia get what she has coming to her. I want you to break the curseso Kaz can come home.”

I saw Della frown at her words.

I nodded and put the gag in her mouth. When I glanced toward Della, she was frowning at Wisp, who was dark purple. I took a deep breath and got back in position as I unfroze everyone.

“You’re right; let’s punish her in the courtyard in front of everyone so they know I will not tolerate this.” I nodded and wrapped Lyra up in my darkness gently and dragged her outside.

“Witches, everyone come out here now!” I bellowed. Witches poured from their cottages and stared frightened at Lyra. Genia’s smile was wicked as I waited for everyone to be gathered. I glanced around at the horrified faces. These poor witches had been under this cruel woman’s care.

“I want you all to witness what happens to anyone who rebels against me, but mostly who threatens my husband, Cassius.”

“Husband!” Genia pretended like she didn't know. I smiled at her. “Sorry, we just didn’t know that.” She cleared her throat.

“That’s right.” I smiled as my eyes burned bright red in my fury. Tell me what she is thinking. I demanded my magic.Stupid whore. Your father was right; you’re as dumb as your whore mother. You don’t deserve to be queen.

“Let this be a lesson to each of you to not fuck with me. I will always be two steps ahead of you,” I sneered.

Genia’s eyes narrowed on me, but before she could do anything, I froze her again. The witches all whispered harshly as I let Lyra go.

“Please stay put if you’d like to witness Genia die; if you don’t want to see this, now is your time to go.”

I smiled when no one left. I stepped forward with my nails and punctured her above her collarbone before pricking my finger again and dripped blood into her wound. Smiling, I stepped back and unfroze her. Genia was confused at first when Lyra was no longer wrapped in my darkness. She glanced around when she noticed the shift in the air. Her eyes flashed to mine with anger.

“You Crimson whore,” she spat at me.

I tossed my viper-handled dagger at her feet.

“Pick up the dagger, Genia, and stay alert for this. I want you to witness what your greed got you.”

She bent down and wrapped her hand around the handle. Her eyes were wide with consciousness. Della was watching closely at the show. I smiled brightly at Genia when our eyes met.

“Before you die, I want you to know that I will make Jesper’s death as painful as I can. He will be begging to die before I am done.”

“Fuck you!” She tried to spit on me. “Your mother begged me and your father to not kill her. But just know that I made it unbearable for her.”

My eyes flashed red, and my blood witch marks glowed brightly, illuminating the area around me. My magic escaped me and created a storm-like cloud above me. It crackled and popped like it had in Brim’s home.

“Cut out your tongue, Genia,” I demanded.

She was shaking her head as if she could stop my direction, but in the end, she couldn’t. Genia cried loudly as she cut her tongue out. I walked around her, wanting to cause her immense pain.

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