Page 123 of Haunted Hearts

I canfeelFulton trying to use magic. It feels like a splash of water on my face before it slides away. Whatever spell he threw isn’t effective.

“You took advantage of a group of people who were tricked by the corrupt organization that oversees their wellbeing,” I glare at the warlock. “For that, I’m giving you to my men to do with what they wish.”

Theo and Viktor scowl before opening their mouths to object but I hold up my hand. Or what’s left of it. The bones draw Fulton’s attention before he visibly cringes away.

“You guys do what you want with him. Brock, you get in on it too, he destroyed reapers. You deserve a piece of the warlock. But when his soul is free, it’s mine.”

There’s a short pause before Theo pulls Fulton closer to him. Our eyes meet again. His search my face for something as if he doesn’t quite believe I’m able to step back when the warlock is in our grasp. I smile at him.

“He’s all yours. Go for it.”

Kwil steps forward and Brock’s stance widens. Viktor cracks his knuckles while Jonah chuckles darkly as his tail snakes around Fulton’s ankles. Theo’s smile is colder than the hail falling from the sky.

“You heard her, men.” His hand tightens around Fulton’s neck. “Let’s give Willow what she wants.”

I take another step back as all five men descend on Fulton.

The screams the warlock lets out are blood curdling. And speaking of blood, his goes flying. It splatters over my robe, my hands, and face. I don’t wipe it away. I’ll bathe in it until there isn’t a drop left in his body.

After a few minutes, everything goes silent. The guys step back as Fulton’s body hits the ground. I don’t spare it a single glance. Instead, I focus on his soul. It stands there, quivering like a leaf. He turns and tries to run but the guys only push him back.

“Well, that was quick.” I chuckle as Fulton and everyone else looks at me. “Now, I suppose it’s my turn.”

“What are you going to do to me?” he whispers.

My amusement vanishes as I consider his question. I could do to him what I did to his brother. Destroy his soul, therefore any proof of his existence. That would be satisfying. But only in the moment. The tension gathering in my chest and just under my skin tells me the Realm of the Dead doesn’t want the extinction of this soul either.

I need to do more than simply wash my hands of him. I look away to study the world around me. The realm has gone silent, as if waiting to hear my answer. While reapers are fighting to keep the monsters above us at bay, the storm continues to roar around us. The bitter cold doesn’t faze me, the hail doesn’t touch me.

It all falls to the background while I consider what I will do now that I have Fulton in my grasp.

My eyes land on something in the distance. One of the trees that Dad planted tumbles across the desert, completely ignored by everyone. As I watch it, the answer to Fulton’s question becomes clear. Obvious, in fact. It’s like a sign from the universe. One I have every intention of listening to.

I turn to Brock. “All the trees that once lived in your woods, they’re spirits right?” At his nod, I turn to Viktor. “Can you do me a favor?”

His response is immediate. “Anything.”

“Grab that little tree tumbling away.”

He doesn’t question my request or hesitate. Immediately, he turns and jogs after the tumbling sapling. Fulton tries to use the opening as his chance to escape but it’s Jonah whose tail wraps around his neck and yanks him back.

“Where are you going? My woman hasn’t even started with your punishment.”

“Get your filthy grubby hands off of me!” Fulton turns and throws his hands up.

And they just hang there, suspended in the air, doing nothing. Brock chuckles darkly before punching the spirit in the face.

“Any power you had in the Realm of the Living belongs to the Realm of the Dead now. And because you have no more Death Magic, you’re just a nobody. Powerless to stop us from doing anything to you.” My reaper’s grin is sadistic.

And hot.

“Willow.”

I turn at the sound of Viktor’s voice to find him returning with the sapling in hand. He holds it up and grins at me.

“This what you were looking for?”

“Yes, perfect.” I point to the ground beside Fulton. “Shove it into the ground there.”

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