Page 113 of Wicked Curses
Orin strolled over to the chair where he’d been sitting. Bending, he lifted the bundle he’d wrapped in a canvas sheet. He’d cut and stitched it to sling over his shoulder and across his chest. He lifted his sword from the table and swung it onto his back.
“Did you really think I’d missed your plotting?” he asked. “I’ve been preparing, too, witch. You’re not leaving this town, or thisrealm, without me.”
A flash of red ran through her eyes. Aside from her bite, it was the most vampiric thing he’d ever seen from her. He liked it.
Yes, he definitely enjoyed pissing off his little witch and igniting her fire. Soon, he’d also enjoy making her pay for turning to the demon by fucking any memory of that creature from her. And then he would go out and screw every woman he encountered; he might even make her watch.
That would be great fun.
He sauntered over to her and held out his arm; she ignored it as she shoved past him. “We don’t want you with us.”
“That doesn’t matter, Sahira. We’re in this together, whether you like it or not.”
When she stalked over to the door and threw it open, he followed her onto the porch and down the steps. He fingered the dagger at his side and the crossbow under his cloak while strolling beside her as she stomped toward the pit.
“Go back,” she said. “If we find a way out, I’ll send someone for you.”
“I’m not stupid enough to believe that.”
“I wouldn’t leave everyone else here to spite you.”
He did believe that, but he wasn’t about to let her wander the Barren Lands with only a demon and a witch. She needed more protection than that.
When they rounded some of the buildings and the pit came into view, a sneer curved his upper lip when he spotted the demon waiting with the other witch. The two of them exchanged uneasy looks as he and Sahira approached.
“He’s coming with us?” Elsa inquired.
“Believe me, it wasn’t part of my plan,” Sahira said. “He was waiting for me when I came downstairs this morning. Apparently, he managed to figure out we were planning to leave.”
“I’m not stupid, witch,” Orin sneered.
“I disagree,” Sahira muttered.
Zeth laughed loudly as Elsa grinned. Orin glowered at the demon, who smiled back at him. Orin contemplated killing him now, but Sahira would probably refuse to leave if he did, and getting out of this town was their only chance of escaping this realm.
“I told him we didn’t want him with us,” Sahira said, “but Orin doesn’t give a shit about what anyone other than Orin wants.”
He draped an arm casually around her shoulders as he leaned closer. “That’s not true. I also care about my family.”
She shrugged out from under his arm and focused on the others. “I’m sorry about this. I should have been more discreet, but I didn’t think he was paying attention.”
Orin wasn’t about to tell her that he’d paid a whole lot of attention to her over the past ten days. He’d never give her that kind of information to use as a weapon against him.
“It’s fine.” Zeth handed her one of the two spears he held. “He adds another layer of protection. Plus, he’s got supplies and can help.”
Yep, Orin was going to love killing that asshole.
“He’s going to make things more miserable,” Sahira stated.
Elsa rested her hand on Sahira’s arm but didn’t say anything as they turned to face the Barren Lands. Once they went out there, they wouldn’t turn back.
Belda had warned him about what awaited them in all that sand. Now it was time to find out for himself.
Without looking back at the town, Orin flanked Sahira’s side as they started into the Barren Lands. He was sure it wouldn’t take long to encounter the horrors that lay beyond.
Let the games begin… again, he decided with a smile.
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