Page 96 of Which Witch Is Wicked?
Idols, desecration, cannibalism, sexual rituals, virgin sacrifices." She sighed wistfully again, causing bile to rise in Tierra's throat.
"You'd be hard pressed to find a virgin in today's world," the woman continued. "Oh, wait. I did hear a rumor that Tierra was such a virgin. Is that really true? How did an earth witch, such as yourself, retain your virginity? And at your age? Unbelievable, a true miracle there. Witches in general are known for spreading their legs for just about anyone, isn't that right, Moira?"
"Bitch!" Moira spat. "How 'bout you kiss the north end of a southbound mule."
"Yes, I have been called that and worse. Most address me by the Devil, Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub, though I must admit, that one isn't a favorite. Doesn't sound very attractive, does it? For the last few centuries, thoseclosestto me have called me Lucy." The air shimmered and Sunny's body convulsed. She fell to the ground in a heap, and Lucy stepped out of her like she'd slipped out of a trench coat.
Moira gasped. "Holy jumping Jehoshaphat. That just ain't right."
"Sunny!" Tierra's heart pounded in her chest and tears sprang to her eyes at seeing her longtime friend crumpled in a heap on the sidewalk.
"Don't worry," Lucy said. "She'll wake up, eventually, and feel like she's been on a bender. This isn't the first time I've worn her. All the money stolen from the shop, yeah, my work. She's becoming really comfortable, almost tailor-made." Lucy kicked Sunny's legs aside and slithered closer to Tierra. "But you on the other hand, to be inside you with Death's child budding to life, nowthatis definitely something I'd like to experience."
Tierra shuddered with revulsion.Holy Mother of Earth.True evil stood in front of her and radiated out in nauseating waves. Her stomach lurched, and she swallowed the need to vomit. "Over my dead body."
Lucy had been in their house. Broken bread with them. Tried to act as a confidant, one that had seduced Aerin into thinking that Lucy was an ally. Claire, too. Killian had been right. But why the hell hadn't he told her that theDevilhad been the one courting them?
Lucy smiled as though enjoying Tierra's scrambled thoughts.
Can she read my mind?
"I'm right surprised you can change in and out of them bodies so fast, old as you are," Moira said, getting her wits about her faster than Tierra. "And if you're lookin' to get some work done on account of those saggy tits, I can give you some numbers."
Lucy laughed and pointed at Moira. "Youwill be fun to play with."
She motioned to Nick and Dru. "Get her out of here. Lock her up with Justine. I'm sure the two of them will love the Hell out of that."
"No!" Tierra rushed toward Moira and came up quick when Dru yanked Moira's hair, pulling her head back and exposing her throat to the sharp blade of his sword. He nicked the thin skin above her jugular and Tierra froze.
"Hey!" Nick yelled. "Watch the blade! She's mine to taunt, not yours."
"Seems he's got a pretty big sword," Moira said. "Who knows? I might enjoy it more than your itty bitty arrow."
"Why the fuck would you want a few minutes alone with thiswitchis beyond me," War said.
Rain started to fall in fat drops and quickly turned into a curtain of water.
"Stop it, Moira," Nick muttered through clenched teeth, wiping water from his eyes.
"If you're afraid of a little water, asshole," Tierra said, "let me provide you with some shelter." The earth trembled, and Tierra split open the asphalt under Nick's feet. He jumped aside as if expecting her to try and bury him. She hadn't thought Killian had shared his humbling defeat months ago with his fellow Horsemen. She should have known better.
Lucy reached out her hand and Tierra's airway closed off as if Lucy had her fingers physically wrapped around her throat. "Don't, Tierra. I'm much stronger than you, and the earth ismine. I fell from Heaven to make sure of it." Lucy's arm flew out to the side, and Tierra soared through the sky, landing on her side in the middle of the street a hundred yards away, the air knocked out of her as her ribs and shoulder took most of the impact.
"Tierra!" Moira screamed, straining in War's unbreakable hold. Water flooded from the sky, and waves pitched violently on the ocean, cresting over the pier.
"I told youtwoto getherout of here," Lucy growled at Nick and Dru. "What the fuck are you waiting for?"
Dru said something under his breath that Tierra didn't catch. He grasped Moira's arms, and restrained her hands behind her while Moira screamed Tierra's name. Her voice raised the tide, and seawater spilled over the wharves into the parking lots and inched toward them.
Horses suddenly appeared galloping down the road, one red, one white. Water splashed from their hooves and they pounded the earth in a symphony of cymbals and war drums heralding the end of days.
Tierra reached under the soaked fabric of her skirt and freed her wand.
"Oh, no, you don't, you upstart littlewitch." Lucy rushed forward and stomped on Tierra's wrist. "Want to play like that, do you? Let's see how you like this."
She slipped a chain over Tierra's head and secured it around her neck like a leash.
Suddenly the world went dark, lifeless, and deafening screams of the damned rang in Tierra's ears.
