Page 57 of Court of Heathens

“There is nothing we can do. We’ll fight until our last breath and pray to the gods they take our souls far away from our bodies so when he steals them for his army, we do not have to watch or be trapped within.”

“Agatha, what do we do? Do we run?” someone calls.

“There is no point. They have surrounded us. We would not get far.”

“What if we create a portal?—”

A flash of magic fills the air, and Agatha sighs. “He will block it. We’ll fight. There is no other way. Barricade the younglings and elders in their homes behind barriers as strong as we can make them. Everyone else, stay with me.” She looks at me, seeming to debate something. “Go, Freya.”

“What?” I shake my head adamantly. “No, I’m staying here?—”

“Go.” Her eyebrows lower in meaning, and my heart freezes. Does she know he’s here for me? “Before it’s too late.”

I stare into her eyes. “Whether or not I’m here, he will kill you. I cannot and will not live with that. If I die, then it will be at your side. My coven. My family.”

“Child.” She squeezes my hand. “We will always be your home, even if it might not have always seemed like it. Now let us protect you this time. Go now.” She glances behind me. “And wherever you are, demon, go with her and keep her safe.”

It’s the second time tonight I am speechless, my eyes going to my demon who gives me a dark, serious look. “She knows about you.”

He says nothing, and neither does Agatha. There’s a groan from the zombies, and I jump, realising now is not the time. Turning back to her, I drop her hand. “I’m staying, and that’s final.”

I dismiss her penetrating gaze and the truth prodding at me. Later, I’ll confront them, but for now, we need to face this threat. The necromancer is here somewhere. He has to be. What does he want with me?

More importantly, why aren’t his soldiers attacking?

I saw what he did to that village, and I have no doubt he will do something like that here.

They crossed the barrier before, so why aren’t they now?

It’s then I realise they are waiting for me.

All of their eyes turn to me, and when the voices come, it’s his in their bodies.

“Hello, witch, I have been waiting for you.”

I try to ignore the goosebumps that erupt on my skin or, even worse, the vines within me that are starting to move, recognising his magic. It doesn’t care if he is evil. It doesn’t care that we are enemies. All it cares about is it feels like death and magic and it wants it.

“Leave,” I demand, stepping forward.

Agatha tries to pull me backward, but I ignore her and step away again, feeling my men at my back. They won’t stop me, even if they want to—they know better. I might be acting tough, but inside, I’m terrified.

“Witch, that is not a nice way to say hello, especially after we came all this way.” The voice is a whip, cutting into us, and the zombies shuffle forward a few steps—a threat.

“A necromancer throwing a tantrum!” I yell, scanning their ranks, looking for him. Why am I antagonising him? I know reasoning with him won’t help, but pissing someone off like this isn’t a good idea. Honestly, what will he do to me that he hasn’t already planned? “Take your soldiers and leave.”

After we came all this way?This time, his voice is in my head, darkand sticky like oil.For you, travelling so far to find you? That’s quite rude. We are not enemies, witch.

“Yes, we are,” I answer aloud. “When you threaten my home and my coven, we are enemies.”

I fall to my knees in agony as something stabs into my brain, and then his roaring voice cuts through my nerves.They are not your coven! They are holding you back! They are nothing but naysayers. Where were they when our kind was slaughtered? They hid and helped. They are not your friends or family, witch. They are your enemy. I will show you that.

Hands help me to my feet, and worried voices reach me, but my eyes lock on the zombies now steadily marching towards us with intent and death in their eyes.

He’s going to kill everyone here because of me.

“Stop! Leave!” I demand, but it’s clear he’s done talking.

Swallowing my fear, I glance at Phrixius, then my demon and Sha. “We have to do something.”

---