Page 67 of The Forty-Year-Old Virgin Witch

Twenty Six

Karl

“You wanted to see me.”

I knelt on the ground, pissed beyond belief that my Elder could still call me to him like a fucking dog. In my fifty years of being undead, he’d never needed to use it on me.

Today Varos wore red robes that trailed on the dusty floor behind him. I sneered in distaste, disgusted by his contentment to live in filth.

“The last time you were here, you asked about Seth.”

I was at least thankful that since I was dead, I didn’t have to worry about a racing pulse or thundering heartbeat to give away my unease. I shrugged, as if I couldn’t recall.

“Who?”

He backhanded me, and that I hadn’t been expecting. I fell back, my jaw already cracking back into place as my healing abilities took over. That hurt.

“Don’t patronize me. You ask of him, only a week after his father ascends to the council after murdering Athene? Then the druids come sniffing around, wanting to know what the vampyres in the area have been up to, throwing around BOTH demons’ names for clout.”

If I had any real blood in my veins, it would have probably frozen.

“Do you want to know what I told them?”

In a war between my pride and information that could help Aggie, I would always choose her.

“I’m sorry for how I acted earlier,” I said. “I’m young and impulsive.”

Varos laughed. “I am old boy, not stupid. Something is happening, and you’re involved. Have you found another human to pine after? It wouldn’t happen to be the same witch the covens are scouring the continent for, is it?”

I fell face-first at his feet, my hands landing at his ankles. “Please. Allow me to leave, and I will go far away—”

Varos tsked, and the small sound left me frozen on the ground. Desperation had me try another tactic.

“You wouldn’t sell out your own child—”

“Idiot, of course I would! How do you think one gets to be my age? By being nice? Perhaps I should kill you now and do everyone a favor!”

I winced but kept my head down. He could, and I’d be powerless to stop him.

“However, I find myself intrigued at the company you keep, and the trouble you’ve gotten yourself into in merely a week.”

Seizing my neck in a tight grip, Varos lifted me off the ground. I didn’t need to breathe, but I also couldn’t escape him if I tried. So I didn’t.

“I’ll tell you everything you need to know. Just let—”

“Oh child, of course you will. Just as the druids did, and just as Seth will when I tell him I have the vampyre who’s likely been colluding with his elusive little witch. Do you know the reward he’s offering?”

He carried me through several rooms, and I knew immediately where we were going. I didn’t bother fighting. There wasn’t any point. Varos was stronger, faster, and far more powerful. I couldn’t beat him if I aged a millennium. He would always be my Elder.

Down a spiraling set of stairs we traveled, until the air smelled of mold and mildew. The stone walls became damp to the touch, and I knew what would happen next.

He opened a cell and threw me in, the iron slats shutting behind me with a finality I felt in my soul.

“Enjoy your stay. I’ll try to remember to throw you blood every now and then, but I may forget. After all, I’m so old and useless.”

His eyes glittered in triumph, but all I felt was an odd sense of detachment. Aggie’s face flashed through my mind, and I regretted I couldn’t tell her I loved her one last time.

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