“I’m bound here,” I inform her. “The witches in Bunafi bound me and I’m pregnant.”
Martha gasps at the same time Florence’s eyes widen even more, though I didn’t know it was possible for that to happen. She hums, then takes a step toward me. She holds out her hand, palm facing up, then closes her eyes.
Something warm slides throughout my entire body, almost comforting like a hug from the inside out, closing my eyes, I let the sensation take over. Then, as suddenly as it began, it stops. My entire body jolts and my eyes pop open.
“You are indeed with child, it is a healthy babe. Now we must keep you protected at all costs.”
“What does that mean?” Martha demands. Florence cringes, then shifts her gaze from me to Martha, then back to me again. “You didn’t,” Martha breathes.
Florence clears her throat. “I did, because that is what Colton asked of me. It is not my place to question him, not when I’ve already warned him.”
“Florence,” Martha hisses.
“Can you tell me what is going on?” I snap.
They stare one another down for a long moment, then it’s Martha who speaks first. “There was talk about you possibly being some kind of mirage sent by the devil, that perhaps you weren’t the real Birdie Collins and were just a façade.”
My shoulders square and I flick my gaze between them. “And?” I demand.
“And Colton asked me to bring in someone who has a different kind of magic than I do to test that theory. I went to her, talked to her, and she should be arriving soon.”
“You are not serious?” Martha asks.
“Well, I’m me, there is nobody else but me,” I say, lifting my chin and looking down my nose at her.
Florence gives me a sad gaze and shakes her head. “I am sorry, Birdie. It was not my intent to cause you harm or put you in danger, but I have to do what Colton asks of me.”
“Hogwash,” Martha growls. “You suggested her. Maybe you’re the mirage. Maybe you’re trying to steal her magic for yourself,” she snaps.
My entire body jerks and I wonder if she could be right. I don’t think it’s something that is completely out of the realm of reality at this point. I would believe anything at all at this point. None of this is normal, so if Martha thinks that Florence is trying to steal my magic then maybe she freaking is.
Florence’s eyes widen, then she takes a step backward. Martha holds up her hand and calls to her to stop, but then something happens. Everything around me goes black. Blinking, I realize that it’s not my vision, but instead, it’s coming from Florence.
Instinctually, I lift my hands and watch as blue sparks fly through the air. Florence’s body suddenly is no longer shrouded in darkness and her entire body flies through the air.
Then, as if she’s done it a million times, Martha walks over to me, she puts her palm out flat and gold sparks fly from her hand.
I turn my head to look over at Martha, but I’m too shocked to say anything. Instead, I shift my gaze back to Florence and together we hold our hands toward her, watching the blue and gold sparks move through the air, their aim true and on Florence.
The darkness around the room dissipates, but Florence lifts her gaze to meet mine and there is nothing but blackness that fills her eyes. The evil practically pours out of her. My breath hitches and I stumble backward, losing my balance and I almost fall to the ground.
Martha calls out my name and I straighten my shoulders, holding my palms out again and try hard to force the light to pour from me. I’m so confused, and I’m terrified. Something is wrong, Florence’s body jerks, her black eyes meet mine and then she opens her mouth.
“Keep your hands up,” Martha shouts.
I do, but my entire body starts to tremble and quake. My knees buckle, and I fall down to the hardwood floor, but continue to keep my hands up. Florence lets out a screech and it shakes me down to my bones, but I don’t take my hands away and neither does Martha.
A blackness escapes Florence’s mouth, it’s a long dark mass and I blink twice, trying to focus my eyes to see what it is, but it’s floating, flying fast, and it heads straight for me. Martha screams, but I shift my focus from Florence back to the black blob headed my way.
Then something happens. The blob stops right in front of me. Continuing to hold my hands out, I stand my ground, planting my feet wide. The blue sparks continue to fly from my hands. It’s totally weird and it’s as if time is completely suspended.
My breath hitches when the blob starts heading for me again, Martha directs her attention toward it as well and her sparks fly forward. I hear her grunt once, then again. I can’t turn to look at her, so I’m not sure if she’s okay.
I hear something behind me, but I ignore it. We hold fast, steadily as we try to beat back whatever the fuck this monster is. Martha growls, then I hear someone else growl behind me. I cannot turn away from this thing though. I saw the way it kind of just came out of Florence and no way in hell do I want that thing finding its way inside of me.
“Is it just me or is this thing shrinking?” I grind out.
Martha growls again, then I hear her speak through gritted teeth. “Yes, hold fast, Birdie.”
I do exactly what Martha suggests, and I hold fucking fast. Gnashing my teeth together, I start to breathe heavily, panting as I attempt to hold off this beast, or whatever it is. I don’t know what it is and I don’t want to, I just want it gone.
“Enough,” a voice booms.
I know that voice.
COLT
I hear something upstairs. It’s foreign, but there is
