Chapter 44
“It’s time, my future,” Hazel said. Rubin was holding her tight in his arms. He’d known, known all day that she was going to hunt Magdahl. She was going alone.
“She knows you’re coming,” he said gruffly. His wolf was fighting to the surface to fight for her.
“I want her to know and worry. Dark magic robs a lot of power. It’s a delusion.
Magdahl has tricked herself into thinking she’s running at what used to be her full strength.
It’s been a long time since anyone has really challenged her.
She should have felt me at their little orgy, despite the stealth potion. ”
“I can’t let you go alone.” Rubin pulled Hazel closer.
“You are my future. I’ve seen it. And, Drake and Hayden need you. You’ll be the best at hunting the guards. No one may ever know or see you when Jaxom escapes, but he won’t escape without you there.”
“That’s all fine and good but…”
“My future. Hear that? I’ve seen it. You are my future. This is just a bump in the road.” Hazel kissed Rubin gently. “Please trust me.”
“I do. I saw you walk into that place and walk out, leaving death to our enemies in your wake. But, you weren’t up against that evil bitch.”
“Oh, it really will be magnificent. I intend to make her suffer. Trapped in an endless loop. Come, my future. We’re packed. It’s time to harass Drake. He needs a fair bit of hope. Jaxom is coming home.”
Alpha Thorn’s camp was bustling with wolves coming in from hunting Renz’ warriors and wolves going out to replace them. Hazel could see Rubin responding to his brothers working to take down Renz. More than anything, Renz needed to die, but his time was not completed yet.
“Hazel, Rubin, what are you doing here?”
Hazel turned to see Asher approaching. A very naked Asher must have just got back from creating problems for Renz.
“Point me to Drake, please,” Hazel said. The fact she was polite for once stopped Asher in his tracks.
“I can’t. Hayden’s having an attack and Drake is melting.”
Hazel got out a potion and flashed it at Asher.
“You telling me that will help Hayden?”
“Yep. For a couple weeks. Enough for after Jaxom escapes.”
Asher’s stance got tense. “Will Jaxom escape?” That question was everything. All of Asher’s hopes and fears spelled out in three simple words.
“Yes.”
Asher’s countenance turned feral. “Follow me.”
Drake was curled up around Hayden. The poor guy was panting and sweating all over Drake. The look on Drake’s face almost broke Hazel’s heart. These damn attacks were infuriating, especially when they needed to concentrate on bigger problems.
“What are you doing in here, Hazel? Go away.” Drake growled as he rose to block Hayden from her and Rubin’s view.
“Open up, Hayden,” Hazel said, ignoring the fury rising up to attack her. Rubin nudged his shoulder in front of her, willing to take on an out-of-control Alpha.
“Drake, it’s okay. You got a way to make this stop?” Hayden grated out.
“For a few weeks. It only works once, but you won’t have to worry about being incapacitated while Jaxom escapes.”
“Give me.”
Hayden reached over his mate, grabbed the vial, and downed it. At least one Alpha knew how to listen. Hazel smiled at the instant relief washing over Hayden. He sucked in a deep breath and relaxed into Drake’s arms.
“One more for you to carry, Drake.” Hazel handed him a vial in a leather pouch.
“Attach that to your necklace. When you get to Jaxom, it will give him the energy to run home. He will get to Blood Moon borders if you get that down his stubborn throat. You’ll need to out stubborn him.
No room for pity or compassion. You pry his jaw open if you have to. ”
Drake took the pouch and got it on his necklace, then pulled Hayden close again.
“How do you know I’ll get to Jaxom? That he won’t die in there?”
“Hmpf, someone is wallowing pretty deep,” Hazel said with no compassion. “Believe me or not. I don’t care. Rubin, my future, stay here. Have fun hunting.”
“I love you, little lady.”
Hazel leaned in as Rubin kissed her. She ran her hands through his yellow hair. She needed his strong arms around her for just a moment longer. Thank the Moon Goddess, he wasn’t fighting the momentary separation. Neither of them would be safe until the wicked bitch was entombed.
Hazel stepped back, gave her handsome mate a mischievous smile and walked out of the tent, blending into the night.
Ecrin sprawled out before her as she sat up on the side of the hill.
She pushed her power out like a thin sheet blanketing the city.
Magdahl needed to know Hazel was here and, most importantly, Magdahl needed to know her time of suffering till the bitter end was at hand.
Death had been necessary but too swift for Cain.
This time, Magdahl would pay for her crimes before she died. So many crimes. So much time to suffer.
That light blanket highlighted a red spark shooting up into the stormy night. Magdahl was awake, aware and frightened. She was calling for help from her sisters. The problem was, those sisters couldn’t see the alarm being raised over Hazel’s smothering blanket.
The streets were quiet as Hazel wandered through. The citizens of Ecrin knew the hunters were not only at the gates, but in the city.
Ravens followed, flitting from roof to roof. They, too, had seen Magdahl’s plea for help. The difference was, they weren’t there to help.
“Magdahl,” Hazel sang out. The name echoed down the street.
A chorus of ravens mimicked her, “Magdahl.” It reverberated across the city. Hazel praised her lovelies for their accompaniment.
“Magdahl!?” she sang. Her chorus added their voices to her song. Windows closed and doors were locked as Hazel and her ravens sang.
“Oh, Magdahl!”
“Magdahl.”
“Magdahl.”
The evil bitch’s house sat just outside the castle, snugged up next to the cliff.
She was properly ensconced in her tomb. She just didn’t realize she’d never leave that place.
And, no one would ever live there after she died centuries from now.
So many centuries of pain and suffering that creature had encouraged.
So many centuries of backlash waiting to land on her head.
A thick black cloud blasted out of the house, engulfing Hazel and her ravens. Hazel coughed as she waived off the cloud of smoke. Harmless vapors against the green magic washing through her body.
“Oh, Magdahl!”
“Magdahl.”
“Magdahl.”
“You have no business here, witch Hazel,” the bitch yelled from the confines of her tomb.
Hazel slowly walked the border, adding her own border to the enchantments protecting it. The old bitch had grown lazy in her quest for immortality and power.
“Don’t you want to talk to me, Magdahl?” Raven song repeated her on the rooftops.
“Stop it. Stop calling my name. I will kill you if you come in here, you interfering cunt.”
“Big words for a woman trapped by a little witch and a couple of ravens,” Hazel mused as she stood in front of Magdahl’s door.
“You came to kill me. You can’t. This place protects me,” Magdahl screeched.
“Yes. Yes it does protect you from death,” Hazel answered loud enough for the cunt to hear. After all, that’s all she was now. A needy cunt. “Have you ever heard of things being too good to be true?”
Magdahl opened the door but didn’t step out. Hazel blew powder out of her clenched fist into Magdahl’s face.
“I didn’t come to kill you quickly, ugly hag,” Hazel said softly as Magdahl coughed. She gasped in air, and more powder, only to cough some more.
“What have you done to me?” Magdahl wheezed as another coughing fit took over. More powder lept up her nostrils as she sucked in air. She sank to the floor, leaning weakly on the door frame.
“I’ve delivered the Moon Goddess’ judgment. Didn’t you see that coming?” Hazel mocked her as she squatted down to look in Magdahl’s watery eyes. Coughs and gasps rasped in her chest. Powder flowing into lungs powerless to stop the flow.
“How old are you Magdahl? And don’t lie. I already know.”
“Fifteen hundred years. Please make the coughing stop,” Magdahl wheezed. The punishment clicked in on the naming of her age. “Can’t breathe.”
“Oh, it will stop and then the fun begins.”
“What did you do?” Magdahl’s eyes slowly clouded over. Her world was going so dark. So very, very dark.
“I think you may have achieved the immortality you’ve been looking for,” Hazel laughed. “All you’ll have left is your ears and that little clit between your legs.”
“What? What?” Magdahl coughed as more powder crawled up her chest.
“For every person you forced to orgasm, you will orgasm. For every person raped by you, and every rape people endured because of your influence, you will orgasm. For every person forced to endure a sexual assault because of your influence, you will orgasm.” Hazel hummed as Magdahl’s lips closed over.
The woman mumbled and screamed but it was all too muffled to understand.
“You will see their faces every single time. And don’t worry, you won’t starve to death.
I’ve set up caretakers for you. The food can go in.
The water can go in. But, it can’t come back out of your mouth.
I’m going to keep you well fed, Magdahl. ”
“Magdahl.”
“Magdahl.”
Magdahl’s muffled screams hurt Hazel’s ears. That was an impressive feat.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret. You try to hurt yourself, you’ll orgasm.
You try to hurt a caregiver, you’ll orgasm.
Those are free of charge. A little bit of pleasure for all the sexual abuse you’ve flung out into the realms. There will be no dying until you’ve paid the price for every rape you’ve had even a smidgen of a hand in.
I’d have included all the pain, beatings and murders but that could mean you’d never die.
Can’t let you live the dream you’ve always sought after.
Immortality is no longer something you can attain. I need you to die, eventually.”
Hazel laughed as Magdahl tried to swipe her raggedy nails at her. The woman screeched as an orgasm ripped though her body, harsh and intense. No quarter given.
“They aren’t nice orgasms are they. Forced orgasms never are.” Hazel laughed as Magdahl writhed in another orgasm. “Enjoy, you evil cunt. I’ll be long dead before your body even thinks about rotting into dust.”
Hazel hummed as she wandered through the city. Ecrin felt more peaceful already.