There was a murmuring as they discussed whether to take me seriously. I attempted to play on it. "Before every one of you regrets it," I said quietly.
Jaz was dragged to his feet and let go. I looked him up and down quickly. He seemed in one piece, so I moved to stand next to him. The dagger he wielded was nowhere to be seen.
"Let us go. Now." I was pushing my luck, and I knew it. The woman who seemed to be in charge here looked at me carefully.
"No, I don't think you have your powers yet. And when you do, we'll be in a better position to take them." Her head turned slightly to the creature beside her. "Finish him."
"No—" I was too late, as a thug from the side of us stepped forward and planted Jaz's dagger into his side. I managed to grab him as he crumpled, but he was too heavy, and I fell with him.
The wound oozed with blood. "Goddamn it. Tell me you'll live," I whispered into Jaz's ear.
"Don't worry about me, you need to look after yourself if I can't."
"Yeah, well, that isn't going so well at the moment, is it?” I looked at the silver dagger poking out of his body and winced. "You're a fucking wolf thing, and you carry a silver dagger? Do you have a death wish?" Jaz didn't respond, but his lip quivered in amusement.
And basically the reality of it was the mean doggy I kissed earlier was slipping away.
Shit. What do I do?
I looked back at the group of people and the woman in charge, my eyes narrowing as she started talking.
"He will die before sunrise. Come with us, and he has a chance to survive."
"No, she's lying, Carina. I will die regardless." But I didn't think so. I saw his colour had changed for the worse. This was going to be the second death I’d witnessed today, and the second time I couldn't do a damn thing about it.
I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of everything on my shoulders. It was building, escalating to a point which didn't even make sense anymore. My brain switched off as I became angry. Whatever was happening, I was trusting it completely.
"Everything will be okay," I said as I held Jaz's hand. I knew he'd die if I didn't do something. I just didn't know what. Yet.
"Listen, Carina. If you're taken to the facility, you will need to fight to survive. But remember," he gasped, and I didn't know if he could carry on talking. "Everyone is your enemy. Find a friend. You have at least one."
I bent and brushed my lips across his. "I'm okay. I haven't had enough chocolate today, and I'm pretty pissed at the world. And who needs friends?" I got a hint of a smile from him, and then it was gone, and pain was in its place.
"You will be taken to a high security facility. Come quietly, Carina," The woman said, and I instantly hated her high tones.
I climbed to my feet. I didn't feel quite myself anymore. Something, somewhere, had changed. I turned to face the woman, and all who looked at me gasped.
The warriors, big creatures with large weapons, looked unsure of themselves. Whatever I was capable of, whoever I was supposed to be, I guess I was stepping up.
I took my time looking at everyone in front of me. I had one chance. And even I didn't know how this was going to turn out. Or whether I would fall flat on my face.
They were scared of little old me? Well, they fucking should be.
"Here's the deal. You can take me, if you free Jaz. Otherwise, I start killing you all." The woman hesitated. I wasn't sure if this decision was above her pay-grade or something, but she had exactly two seconds to decide.
A heat built inside me, raging hot, setting my blood on fire. I pointed at the ugly fucker next to the woman.
"This is her fault you die." A moment later, my hands were encompassed in fire and so was the creature. I heard his screams in my head as I ripped out his soul.
And I knew exactly what I was doing and what was happening.
Moments later, he'd burned out. He was a pile of red ashes on the ground. Creatures backed away from me, and I really couldn't blame them.
"Save him," the woman bit out, and someone rushed to Jaz and pulled him up onto unsteady feet.
I turned to him. "Disappear, Jaz. I got this." He was shaking his head, but I held up my hand. "Go, I need to know you're safe."
It took a moment, but he eventually nodded. And then he was gone. Surprisingly, I didn't feel alone. I'd been fighting for something my entire life. This was no different.
Well, except maybe a couple of things. I was innocent and going to prison. I was a demon who'd always tried to do the right thing as a human. And it actually looked like I was an evil fucking bitch who could steal souls and burn fuckers up.
I smiled at the woman in front of me and saw a bead of swear appear on her upper lip. Yeah, my inner bitch was finally coming out.
The End
Afterword
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