Page 26 of Bewitching the Orc Chief

More orcs joined the fray, apparently deciding the witches were a bigger threat than clan politics. Smart of them. The Sisters might be powerful, but they’d never faced the raw strength and determination of angry orcs.

“Traitors!” Alris’s voice cracked with rage. “See how deeply her corruption runs!”

Lisabet’s chanting grew stronger, drawing more of my essence away. I fought to stay conscious as memories slipped through my fingers like water. But something else slippedthrough the cracks in the circle—something ancient and hungry that lived in the spaces between worlds.

Gus launched himself at Lisabet’s face and knocked her back. His mouth opened impossibly wide, revealing row upon row of needle-sharp teeth. The witch screamed as he landed on her chest, but the sound cut off as he fed on her soul.

That’s my boy.

The silver cords binding me dissolved. I stumbled but caught myself, power flooding back into my body. My hands shot up, magic crackling between my fingers as I sought the source of… everything. The whole damn flood of misery needed to be staunched like a wound.

I dug my fingers into the dirt andtwisted. Roots sprang to life and burrowed through the earth with my muttered orders. They shot up around Alris, wrapping around his wrists and ankles and dragging him to his knees. The shaman fought to regain control, but the roots only tightened their hold, sinking into his flesh with eager ferocity.

Osen’s movements snapped back to their natural speed and grace. His fist drove into Coth’s stomach, doubling his uncle over. A knee to the face sent him reeling backward. Blood sprayed from Coth’s broken nose as he toppled.

“Yield,” Osen commanded, standing over his fallen challenger.

Coth spat blood and tried to rise. Osen’s boot pressed against his throat.

“I said yield.”

“I... yield.” Coth choked out, tapping the ground in surrender.

The words had barely left his mouth when Alris screamed in rage. Dark power gathered around his staff as he aimed it at Osen’s unprotected back. “You will not ruin everything I’ve built!”

“No!” The cry tore from my throat as I reached for my magic.

But the blast never came. Galan’s blade took Alris in the side, driving deep between his ribs. The shaman’s eyes went wide with shock, blood already staining his ceremonial robes.

Osen was there in an instant, pinning the dying man with one massive hand. “Why?” he demanded. “Why betray us like this?”

“You...” he wheezed, gaze locked on Osen. “You are... just like him. Too weak to... to do what must be done.”

Osen reeled back, horror dawning on his face. “It was you,” he snarled. “You arranged the challenge that killed my father.”

“Someone had to…” Alris coughed wetly, “when he refused to see... the old ways were best.”

The shaman’s eyes rolled back, and his body went slack. Just like that, he was gone—taking his schemes and secrets to whatever dark afterlife awaited him.

Silence fell over the clearing. I looked around, taking stock of the aftermath. The Sisters were subdued by a mess of angry orcs or fled into the gathering darkness. Coth lay unconscious, Galan hovering nearby with an unreadable expression. And Osen...

I pressed closer to Osen, feeling the tremors running through his massive frame. Rage and grief warred in the disgusted glare he directed at Alris’s body. His arms tightened around me almost painfully, but I didn’t complain. He needed this—needed something solid to hold on to as his world tilted on its axis.

Osen’s embrace loosened enough to let him cup my cheek, turning my face up to his. His thumb brushed over my lower lip. “You saved an Axebreaker. Again.”

“We saved each other.” I swayed on my feet. Goddess, I was tired. Using that much magic always left me drained, but combined with the attempted draining... “Though I think your cousin deserves some credit, too.”

Galan shifted uncomfortably as heads turned his way. “I just... Father was wrong. About a lot of things.” His gaze dropped to Alris’s body. “We all were.”

Osen nodded, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. “We have much to discuss. All of us.” His voice carried the weight of command again. “But first, my mate needs rest.”

The word ‘mate’ sent a ripple through the crowd. I felt their stares like physical touches—some hostile, some curious, some accepting. It would take time for them to fully accept a witch in their midst. But Osen’s grip never wavered, and Torain stepped closer in silent support.

Gus trotted over, looking entirely too pleased with himself. His fur was perfectly groomed despite the chaos, not a whisker out of place. He bumped his head against my leg before settling at our feet.

“Your cat,” Osen murmured against my hair, “is terrifying.”

A weak laugh escaped me. “You have no idea.”

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