Witch Hunter Olivia (21 page)

The stadium lights from the soccer field are providing the only source of light for us right now, at least until they ignite the bonfire, but I can’t let that happen.

“Good thing I had the forethought to bring Spike,” I mention, drawing out the fork-tipped blade from the interior pocket of my leather jacket.

“Be careful not to puncture this body here,” Tobias says through Malcolm and I answer with a glare. “Ahh, and there’s your timer.”

I look back over my shoulder at the scoreboard situated across from the main stadium bleachers. It’s counting down from ten minutes.

“I should warn you, Tobias, I’ve got a lot of pent-up aggression itching to be released.”

“I welcome it with open arms, sister,” he says with a menacing grin.

“You’re not my brother,” I reply before rushing the Mauler closest to me.

It swings its clawed hand at me and I sidestep out of the way before sending my right fist across its face and using Spike’s blunt end to add insult to injury. I immediately follow up with a quick knee to the stomach. It recovers and shoves me back before lunging at me again. I duck to the side and rear back and send a swift kick to the back of its head, sending it flipping head over heels before crashing to the ground. I raise Spike into the air and plunge it down into the Mauler’s chest, bursting it into a cloud of purple smoke.

When I go to stand up, I feel the sharp pain of a boot in my back, causing me to fall forward. I catch myself with my palms before my face hits the ground and propel my body to the side when I hear the grunt of the Mauler and sense its foot coming down on me. It stomps onto the ground next to me, missing me by mere inches. I tumble forward when it tries the same attack again. Springing to my feet, I spin to face the Mauler when it rushes me. I step out of the way, but the Mauler stops suddenly and throws a punch, connecting with my face before kicking me hard in the chest, sending me flying back to the ground.

“Ouch, that must’ve hurt,” Tobias says snidely through my brother while looking down at me. He raises his foot and brings it down hard, but I throw up my forearms to block his attack. Shoving his foot away, I roll to the side and pick myself up off the ground. “Tick-tock, tick-tock,” he laughs, pointing to the scoreboard that now shows seven minutes.

I back up and bump into Heath, who hasn’t been able to down the Mauler he’s fighting, since he lacks the essentials needed. I hand him Spike just as the Mauler he’s been fighting leaps at him. He plunges the dagger into its chest, dusting it into puff of purple smoke.

I have to move away from him in order to dodge the incoming attack by the other Mauler. Heath tosses Spike to me and I catch it just in time to roll away from a scissor kick headed right for my face. I watch the Mauler fly by and then regain its footing when it lands before charging me again. I toss the dagger into the air and roundhouse kick the handle as it tumbles back down toward me, sending it flying in the Mauler’s direction. It embeds into its face with force, causing the Mauler to drop to its knees before leaving behind a big cloud of purple dust upon hitting the ground.

I storm over and collect Spike from the pile of ashes before turning to face Malcolm’s hijacked body. Heath joins me as we stare him down. His mouth curls up in a grin and he snaps his fingers, but nothing happens. He snaps again with the same result.

“What? Why isn’t anything happening?” he asks in a frustrated tone.

“Looks like you’re all out of juice,” I say.

“And it looks like you’re almost out of time,” he replies, causing me to glance over at the scoreboard to see there’s only five minutes left until they light the bonfire.

I don’t even give him a chance to try and snap his finger once more. I lunge for the necklace hanging around his neck, but he swats my hand away and issues a forceful kick to my chest, sending me staggering back. Heath attempts to grab hold of Malcolm, but ends up flipped over his shoulder onto his back for his efforts. I rush in again and take a few quick shots, but they’re all blocked. I throw my next punch and he grabs my hand, holding it hostage. I swing my other fist and he seizes that one out of midair too. He draws them both down in between us before rearing back and head-butting me right in the face. I stumble backward and feel my nose when I smell and taste blood. It’s not broken.

Tobias laughs through Malcolm, but then is interrupted by Heath wrapping his arms around his chest, pinning his arms to his sides. I recover and throw a punch aimed at Malcolm’s cheek, but he weaves out of the way. I attempt to fire off a kick, but he flings up his leg to bat it away. He leaps up into the air and plants both feet into my chest when I go to attack again, knocking the wind out of me and sending me crashing back against the ground.

As I make it to my feet, I look over at the scoreboard and see we only have three minutes left. Then I glance over at Malcolm trying to break free from Heath’s grasp, but Heath is holding on for dear life. I can tell Tobias is getting frustrated because his movements are becoming erratic and are no longer calculated.

Standing up, I get into a defensive stance and move closer to the pair. The moment I make eye contact with Heath, I nod and he lets go of his grip on Malcolm. Surprised by the action, Tobias’s guard is down and I make my move. He tries to anticipate my next attack and throws up his hands to block my fake-out punch and I follow-up with a spinning back-hand to his face, causing him to lose his balance. Heath’s right there to deliver a crossover to the jaw, sending Tobias back over to me. I jump up into the air and swing my body around, twisting at the hips, and send a kick across his face, sending him spiraling to the ground.

I move to hover over Malcolm’s body and stare down into the purple eyes of Tobias Young. I plant my foot right on his chest and press down firmly, holding him in place. I reach down with Spike in hand and place the blade up to the chain holding the enchanted pendant around my brother’s neck.

“You messed with the wrong bitch,” I say before cutting the chain and breaking the hold Tobias has on my brother.

The purple shimmer fades from Malcolm’s eyes and they return to their normal golden brown color. They snap closed and he appears to have passed out cold. His mouth droops open, allowing a trail of purple smoke to spill out and dissipate into the air.

“Stay here with him. I’ve got to get Angelica,” I say to Heath and he nods. I look over at the scoreboard and have only a little more than a minute left.

I push through the crowd, making my way as fast as I can toward the giant pile of sticks surrounded by the flag banners that have each Greek house’s letters on them. A verbal countdown rings through the crowd as we reach the last sixty seconds.

“Stop,” I scream, but am drowned out by the chant of the gathered masses. “There’s someone inside the bonfire.” My announcement is still lost amongst the noise.

I notice one of the fraternity guys raise the piece of wood he intends on using to light the fire into the air with a guttural yell accompanying the motion. I get a little more forceful with my approach and start shoving people aside while ignoring the scoffs and jeers that follow.

Finally emerging from the sea of people, I hurry toward the two guys wearing Theta Chi jerseys who are prepping to ignite the torch with what looks like a silver Zippo lighter. The flame kindles at the end of the stick and the guy holding it hoists it up into the air again as the countdown reaches the last ten seconds. The crowd goes crazy with commotion.

The world seems like it’s moving by in slow motion as I rush toward the guy holding the torch. He extends it out in front of the large pile of sticks as the countdown reaches five.

Five …

Four …

Three …

Two …

Right as the countdown reaches one, I swing my leg up and connect with the bottom tip of the torch, sending it flying into the air and out of the frat guy’s hand. A resounding groan sounds from the crowd just before I catch the stick in my hand. I extinguish the flame and immediately crack the stick over my knee, breaking it into two smaller pieces before tossing them to the ground.

“There’s someone inside the bonfire,” I repeat, and everyone seems confused.

A small moan emanates from the pile of wood, drawing me closer to it. “Angelica?” I call out through the gaps between the stacked pieces of wood. Another moan sounds and it has me running around the pile to search for any way to get inside of it.

I see a bundle of sticks that seems out of place near the back of the bonfire and start to remove each piece. A small opening is revealed once the last stick is removed from the section, and I can see there’s a space hollowed out, but it’s too dark to see anything inside. I pull out my cell phone and flash the light from it into the hole and catch a glimpse of Angelica’s bright red hair. She’s sitting there bound by her hands and feet with tape across her mouth.

“Angelica, I’m here. I’m going to get you out, okay?” I can see her blink open her eyes in order to see who’s talking.

This is about to hurt since I notice she’s wearing the bangle. I crawl into the hole while keeping my phone’s light on her. I tuck my phone back into my pocket before drawing out Spike to cut her from the ropes that bind her. Once her hands and feet are free, she rips the tape from her mouth and draws in a huge breath mixed with a sigh of relief.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so glad to see anyone in my whole life,” she says, sending me a wan smile.

I take her by the arm and feel a heavy surge through my midsection, but do my best to ignore it since getting Angelica out of here is more important. I assist her the entire way until she’s safe and sound outside.

When I emerge from the pile of sticks, I flop out onto the ground and lie there staring up at the night sky. A sense of calm washes over me at the thought that at least this part of the mess is over.

“Olivia Adams.” I tilt my head back to see the two who just spoke. Their images are upside down, but there’s no mistaking who they are. The Torres twins. “It seems we meet again.”

“You win. You got me. I surrender,” I say, throwing my hands up in the air and waiting for the silver cuffs to be slapped around my wrists. I’d argue, but it’s probably easier to give in and plead my case later.

“Glad to see you’ve gotten smarter since than the last time we saw each other,” Lexi, the slightly taller twin, says as she draws out a pair of shiny cuffs from the pouch attached to her hip. The sound they make as they clasp around my wrists brings back fond memories of my first witch tag and bag … but that’s a story for another time.

I’ve been in the holding chambers underneath Guild headquarters many times before, but this is the first time I’ve been on this side of the bars. Now I know why a lot of witches change their ways and clean up their acts after spending time down here in this dank and crummy place. It’s literally an underground dungeon complete with lit sconces lining the walls. If anyone needed any proof that this organization is stuck in the dark ages, all they’d need to do is take one good look around this place.

Unfortunately, all of this alone time has done nothing but break my spirits more than they already were. Yeah, sure, Angelica’s safe, and so is my brother, but I’m still down a best friend. I’ve done everything I can to keep my chin up, but the immense guilt I feel is eating away at me. I guess I was a fool to think she’d never find out, and an even bigger fool for hoping she’d forgive me for what I did.

The sound of a metal door creaking open and then slamming closed rings down the long corridor. It catches my attention and pulls me from my thoughts. The clicking of heels on the cement floor follows right after, sounding like they’re headed in my direction.

“Olive?” I hear my mother’s voice call out as I see her round the corner from the hall. Her front is illuminated by the torch on the wall.

“I’m here, Mom,” I say and she rushes over to me. We awkwardly hug each other through the bars lining my cell.

“I heard about everything. Why didn’t you come to me with all this?” she asks in a chastising manner complete with some motherly worry as well.

“Really? Do you have to even ask? What would’ve happened if I did?” I probe, knowing full well what her answer’s going to be.

“A war would’ve broken out,” she answers honestly.

“Exactly. Chalk that one up in the column of unselfish acts,” I joke, but it sounds hollow.

“You saved your brother’s life, and the life of a High Priestess’s daughter,” she says with a weepy smile. “There’s no doubt at all you’re my daughter.”

“That’s what they keep telling me,” I say with a soft laugh. “Is there any word on my case yet? They can’t still think after everything I’ve done that I killed Tobias, right?”

She shakes her head with a concerned look on her face. “They let me in here so I could see you right before they bring you in front of the Elders. They said I only had a moment to talk.” She pauses before speaking again. “You gave them all the evidence, right?”

“Yeah,” I sigh, “and it should be pretty open-and-shut, considering I practically dropped the entire case, complete with eyewitnesses, into their lap.”

“I’m sure this is all going to work out for the best, my dear. I’m so proud of you for what you’ve done. You’ve shown great strength and willpower. You know that, right?”

The only thing that enters my mind is Tara. I may have shown strength and willpower, but I also showed thoughtlessness.

When I go to respond, the sound of the heavy metal door creaking open draws both of our attention. Multiple footsteps resonate throughout the hall and spill out into the cell space.

I turn back to look at my mom. “I guess it’s time to go plead my case,” I mention, and a worried smile shows on her face.

She pulls me in for one last hug before one of the Guild’s guards approaches to unlock my cell. My mother backs away as the door swings open and I’m ushered out of the holding pen by the arm.

After trudging through a few hallways that all look like the holding pen area, complete with cave-like walls, we finally come to the stairs leading up to the main building. The air is much more pleasant up here on ground level as I’m marched toward the Elders’ meeting room where my hearing is going to take place. The sound of my boots clicking on the white marble floor echoes through the entire space, sounding loud in the stillness of the building. It’s like a ghost town up here.

At the end of the corridor we’re walking down, a large dark wood door with ornate golden handles opens as we approach. A person I wasn’t expecting to see exits through it and waits there when she sees us.

“Consider this your second favor,” Constance says as the guard holding onto my arm tries to pull me into the room past her.

I tug back, trying to stay by Constance. “Give me a sec,” I tell the guard, tugging even harder.

He glares at me, but ultimately eases up and allows me to stand there to chat with Constance, not letting go of my arm. “Did you testify on my behalf?”

“Yes. I felt somewhat responsible for what happened, so I thought it was necessary to fill in some of the blanks to your case.”

“Fill in the blanks?” I probe.

“The reason Tobias was after Angelica, the reason I left Tobias, and what I found out about the bangle I thought was for protection.”

The guard tugs on my arm. “Tug one more time and see what happens. Try me,” I fire at him and he stops. I turn back to face Constance. “And?”

“I left Tobias when I found out he was only with me to get closer to my half-sister, Alana. He was a man obsessed with power, and when our relationship ended, he delved even deeper in with the dark witches. I wanted no part of it, nor did I want him a part of his daughter’s life,” she explains.

“Angelica is Tobias’s daughter?”

She nods. “The bangle wasn’t for protection. It was a part of his ritual to gain ultimate power for Alana. If he’d have killed Angelica while she had the bracelet on, her power would’ve been absorbed into it for him to use in his ritual. Apparently after his first two failed attempts, he decided to get a little more drastic with his methods. If memory serves me correctly, Tobias needed to finish the ritual before the rising of the moon on the fourth night after it’s begun. ” She pauses when she begins to get a little emotional. “I’m so sorry you were dragged into this, Olivia.”

“I played my part, so don’t feel too sorry. I was a piece in Tobias’s revenge plot as well.”

“Well, just know that the Guild is aware of everything now, and if they don’t let you go, I’ll be back, and I won’t be in a very good mood,” she says with a soft laugh.

“Thank you, Constance.”

“My pleasure. It was the least I could do since you saved my daughter’s life for a third time,” she says, placing her hand on my shoulder. “Oh, and one more thing.”

I pull against the guard who’s trying to drag me into the room. “Yeah?”

“What would you say to still looking after my Angelica for a little while? I need muscle, and you’re muscle,” she says with a smile.

“As much as I’m probably going to regret this, I’d like that,” I say, which causes her smile to grow even wider.

The guard finally succeeds in bringing me into the chamber of the Elders. He spins me around and plops me down into a stiff and highly uncomfortable wooden chair in front of a group of familiar faces framed by dark maroon velvet curtains covering the room’s large windows behind them. A polished, dark wood table is all that separates the seven Elders from me. Well, that and the shackles on my hands. Their questioning stares slam into me as I meet them eye to eye.

“Is this really necessary?” I ask, raising my cuffed hands.

The head Elder, Conrad Pierce, nods to the guard standing by the door. He comes over and removes the shackles. I rub my wrists to ward off the sudden itch and throbbing. “Thanks.”

Conrad acknowledges my gratitude and then looks down at the paper in front of him. I assume it’s the official report filed by none other than the Torres twins.

“So, explain to us in your own words what transpired at the bonfire last night,” he says while adjusting his glasses in order to get a better view of the document.

I scan up and down the row of Elders seated behind the monstrous table, all eagerly awaiting my testimony. “You already know what happened and have every bit of evidence to prove that the little document in front of you is true. And you have the testimony of a High Priestess,” I reply, but Conrad seems to be displeased by my response.

“I’ll admit that the report I have here is quite the compelling case, Ms. Adams. And the High Priestess Constance Delacour had some very interesting tidbits that were unknown to us. To be honest, we always suspected that Tobias Young was involved with some shady dealings, and now we have evidence to support that. Thankfully, the High Priestess was willing to let the truce stand, and we plan to do a full investigation into all parties that could possibly have ties to this matter.”

“Good, because we wouldn’t want a war to break out or anything,” I say with a hint of sarcasm.

He laughs to himself, but most of the Elders don’t seem to care for my comment, and it shows on their faces. “You haven’t changed a bit since your first year at the academy, Ms. Adams. We saw great potential in you then, and still do.” His remark surprises me. “You do realize what you prevented, right?”

I shrug. “I thought we already covered this—war, right?”

He nods. “But there’s something else. Tobias was using this possession amulet,” he says, drawing out the chained pendant from a file marked
Evidence
. “Do you know what this is used for?” Every one of the Elders leans forward with interrogative stares, waiting for me to answer.

“To possess things?” I reply with more sarcasm.

His laugh rings in my ears. “Yes, but this amulet isn’t just any amulet. It belonged to a powerful dark witch. To be specific, the very witch who caused this Guild to be formed. Tobias had his mortal body killed in a ritual to bond himself to this amulet. If he would’ve been successful in carrying out his plans, we’d have one serious problem on our hands right now. Worse than any war we could imagine.”

“And what could be worse than a war?”

“Well, for starters, your brother would be an extremely powerful dark witch with no trace of his former self. And there’s no way of knowing what Alana had in store for him, but you can rest assured it wouldn’t have been good.”

“How did the bangle play into all of this?”

He tips over the evidence folder and dumps the bracelet onto the table before picking it up. “This was a key ingredient to Tobias’s ritual. It required the sacrifice of self, which was Tobias’s suicide. The death of a person close to the one you possess with the amulet, which was you. And the sacrifice of light witch royalty while wearing this cursed bangle, which was Angelica. It’s a very specific ritual, and judging by what transpired, I’d say Tobias was close to achieving his goal. If it wasn’t for you, that is,” he explains with a smirk. “You’ve done a great service to your Guild, Olivia.”

“My ex-Guild. And don’t for a second think I did this for you and what you stand for. I was in this for three reasons: my best friend, Tara, who died at the hands of this organization, my family, and to avoid the fallout from a war of epic proportions. There was nothing in me that was ever thinking of this Guild except when you sent out your little witch hunt to bring me in,” I answer pointedly. “And you’d better be planning on destroying both those items on that table.”

“I assure you that we have every intention of destroying the bangle and the pendant.”

“Glad to hear it.”

The two Elders sitting on either side of Conrad lean in close to his ear and whisper something. He nods his head while clasping his hands in front of him before resting them on the table, seeming to mull over everything he’s being told. I begin to twiddle my thumbs in my lap since there’s not much else I can do to pass the time while they deliberate.

Conrad raises his hands, signaling the end of discussions, and the Elders relax back into their chairs. He clears his throat before he speaks. “It seems that we’ve reached a decision. Though your actions were not in the interests of the Guild, we can’t fault you for what you have done. No matter how you put it, you have shown great bravery and strong will, two qualities held in the highest regard within this Guild. This organization would be honored to have you amongst our ranks again, Olivia Adams.”

“I appreciate what you’re doing here, Conrad, I really do, but no matter what you say, I’m not interested in coming back.” He quirks an eyebrow at my response.

“Well, I’m very sorry to hear that.”

“Does that mean I’m free to go?”

“It would appear so, yes.”

“Well, thanks for everything, but I hope our paths never have to cross again. No offense,” I say, sliding my chair back to stand.