Page 99 of Which Witch Is Wicked?
"She isn't doing it." Killian emerged from the billowing smoke like a dark angel from a horror film. "Our child is." Pride and satisfaction weighed heavy in his voice and reflected in his arrogant stance.
"That isn'tpossible," Lucy said, spittle flying from her mouth.
"Theoretically neither was the babe's conception." Killian marched through the perpetual flames and grabbed Tierra, helping her to her feet. His raven wings enfolded her, adding another layer of protection against the furious flames that soared higher as Lucy's mood darkened. Killian's black eyes searched Tierra and his nostrils flared with anger. "You will pay for this, Lucifer."
"Youdareto threaten me?" Lucy roared. Flames snapped and snarled up the walls to the ceiling, eating through to the second story.
"There isnothingI wouldn't dare for this woman and our child. You can't kill her, so give it up. She isboundto me. She ismine,and I am the onlybeingwho can take her life in this world or any other."
"Mark my words, Killian Bane, you have made an enemy on this day. You might have saved that witch from burning, but that brat is still in play, and the Devil always gets her due." Lucy flared, becoming one with the flames. The fire rumbled and the earth shook.
Killian tightened his hold on Tierra and shot through the fire-eaten cavity in the ceiling, bursting through the roof into the sky. He angled right and dove toward the ocean as Ambrosia's exploded in a black ball of fire.
13
Tierra went from blistering flames to freezing water.
Not just cold water, but saltwater that acted like acid, washing over the burns on her arms and legs. Just as quickly as she was dumped in the ocean, she was back in the sky, gasping for air. Killian shook the moisture from his wings, and Tierra squealed at the violent movement.
His hold tightened around her and he whispered in her ear. "I've got you. You're safe. Hang on to me a little longer. That's right, just like that." His lips brushed against her cheek.
She shut her eyes and let him take over. She'd have to deal with the fallout of today, but for a few moments she could float weightless in his arms and think of nothing.
Too soon they landed, and carefully he set her on her feet. She'd lost her shoes at some point, which wasn't surprising. More often than not, she was barefoot anyway.
Killian's voice rumbled over her. "Here, let me." His hands were at her throat, and he tore the brimstone choke collar from around her neck and threw it far, until it disappeared into the ocean.
Tierra inhaled with overwhelming relief. Power surged inside her and washed away the stench and sickness the brimstone had invoked. The earth embraced her as she connected with it.
Her head fell back on her shoulders and she closed her eyes in ecstasy.
"God, I love watching you do that." Killian drew her in to his chest, one hand cupping her face, tracing the tracks her tears had made, while the other rubbed the marks on her neck left by the brimstone. His lips lowered to within an air's brush of taking hers, a groan escaping him.
"What the fuck, Tierra?" Aerin yelled. "Ambrosia's is burning to the ground, and you're out here sucking face withDeath!"
Tierra jerked in Killian's embrace and tried to move away, but he grabbed her arm and held her next to him, keeping that connection between them as though he couldn't bear to let her go.
Aerin and Claire ran up, their brooms clutched in their hands. Killian had landed Tierra just outside the wards. Her sisters came to a stop just inside.
Once again a line had been drawn between them.
"Are you okay?" Claire took in Tierra's sooty and singed clothing, the angry second degree burns on her exposed arms and legs. She narrowed her eyes at Killian. "Where's Moira?"
"She's nothere?"Killian asked. "Tierra needs to be healed,now!"
"They have Moira," Tierra revealed. "War and Conquest took her.
They were lying in wait for us, along with Lucy—"
"Lucy?" Aerin questioned. "You must be mistaken."
"I'm not. She's Satan, Aerin, as in the Queen Bitch of Hell. She possessed Sunny, and she's the one who smuggled brimstone into the manor and laced the tea and coffee with it. She's been poisoning us with evil, and the other Horsemen are working with her. They also have Aunt
Justine." She turned to Killian. "We have to get them back."
Slowly, he shook his head as though in regret. "I can't help you with that."
"Why not?"
