Tara tapped my shoulder and I jolted back and slammed my head against the side of the van. I didn't even hear her stop, open the door, nothing.

God, she was incredibly agile, and it was unsettling. My stomach twisted just thinking about what else she was hiding from me.

“We’re here, stay put for one moment. I have to talk to my mother. She, uh, doesn't know I'm helping you.”

I gave her a what-the-hell look and she smiled weakly at me like I was some wounded bird she saved. I was forever grateful for her help—if that's what she was really planning—but to see her taking pity on me when I tried so hard to stay strong… irritated me. A swelling heat swirled in my chest and I couldn't distinguish it. Every action. Every step I took, fed it. 

I exhaled, massaged the back of my neck, and suppressed the unpleasant feeling as I accessed my surroundings. It was a secluded cottage enclosed by redwoods. It was made of aged wood and had a patio with thousands of pots of plants and a few ivy vines hanging from the ceiling.

The creaky door swung open and there Raagini was with her signature cigarette in hand, taking a hit off it before she spoke. “If you listened to me, none of this would be happening.” A deep frown exaggerated her fine lines as she strolled down the steps.

Raagini paused, shook off the tail end of the cigarette prompting a few ashes to fall. One ember flared on the dirt and she stomped on it, snuffing out its hope of survival.

I shifted Lucien away involuntarily. The anger felt oddly directed toward me.

I wiggled out the tension in my hands and forced myself not to break eye contact with Raagini. I really didn't want to think about her first warning especially if it was true. It just made me hate my rash decision-making even more. It was a horrible habit I would break.

Raagini slanted her head to the side and mumbled words I couldn't understand, but from the looks of it as she pinched her face into disgust, she was totally insulting me.

I straightened my posture and asked, “So can you help him or not?”

“Maybe.”

My heart dropped and I glared back at Tara with fury laced in every word I said, “How dare you take—”

Raagini held up her hand. “He's under a blood hex. These kinds are incredibly complex. I'll take him to the back.” Raagini flicked her thin wrist and the weight of Lucien’s body left me and I sat there stunned.

His body levitated as Raagini walked back up the steps with his floating body faithfully following behind her.

I blinked with a slack jaw.

I mean, this wasn’t the wildest thing I witnessed, but it was still unusual and hadn't fucking happened before. So it made me question my sanity for the umpteenth time this year.

I snapped out of my thoughts when Raagini was about to slam the door shut. Lucien’s body was already in the cabin out of my line of sight.

I narrowed my eyes, wishing the time I spent in that dungeon helped me hone in on my resting-bitch face. “Don’t do anything weird to him or so help me god, I will find a way to end you whether it's now or a couple years from now.”

Raagini snickered as she held the door cracked open with only her face visible. “There is no god that would help the likes of you and honestly, child. Throwing empty threats won't do him any good. His life is in my hands, so why don't you go wash up, and drink some herbal tea to calm the fuck down.”

“MOM.”

Raagini unlatched her hand from the door and waved it mockingly. “If she would have just.” Tara intensified her glare and Raagini sighed. “Fine. I'm going.” Tara’s face softened as Raagini left and disappeared into the place.

“She means well.”

Means well, my ass. “Right.” I rolled out the pressure in my shoulder blades and jumped out of the back of the van.

The cottage loomed over me as Tara ushered me inside. I sucked in a breath and walked up the steps, pushing through the chipped off-white door into a quirky room full of oddities.

It was a huge, cluttered mess with leather-bound books everywhere. From the coffee table to the grey distressed buffet to the floral black loveseat. I really meant they were everywhere. A limestone fireplace at least made the place feel somewhat cozy as the weak flames cast a warm glow against the forest-green walls.

“The bathroom is right down the hall to your left. I‘m going to go grab a change of clothes for you.” Tara smiled.

My head nodded automatically. My mind and body were finally catching up with one another. Depleted and devastated. But I would never let it overwhelm me again. Lucien needed help and I was going to figure out a way to rid myself of my mother's coven, Gren, and Kaschel. I had no idea what anyone was planning but that was going to change.

The hallway was dark with a faint blue light coming from the cracks in each door I passed. I turned the knob and stepped into the bathroom.

The mirror reflected an unknown version of myself. My body brittle from the months spent in no warmth or light, but I hardened my mind since I couldn't do the same for my body. My appearance filled me with a weird combination of emotions trapped in my heart as I tore off my clothes and turned the shower on. 

Maybe I really was broken and clinging onto the last bit of hope, thinking it could fix me.

The hot water recharged my energy as steam rose and encased the entire bathroom. Wow. How long has it been since I last took a hot shower? My old apartment? Kaschel’s freaky, haunted mansion?

I slapped my cheeks and a tinge of pain lingered until it gradually faded away. I really didn't want to think about him ever again.

I stood in shower for god knows how long, allowing the scorching water to slam against my skin and heat every inch of me.

The harsh knock on the door jolted adrenaline through my veins, and I shoved myself against the wall. The cool contrast subdued my racing heart.

“I'm here to set your clothes down, that's all,” Tara said in a relaxed voice, and I let go of the breath I held in, unclenching my fists.

“Thanks.” I rinsed the rest of the soap off, wrapped the towel around me and stepped out.

The towel was freshly heated by the dryer. It was a surprisingly sweet touch for someone I didn't know well and it didn't feel right, but I didn't have the upper hand to question her motives.

My sight landed on the clothes. Finally, something normal. I pulled the grey oversized t-shirt over my head and slid on the black leggings.

My brunette hair draped behind me as I meandered to the living room. Tara sat on the loveseat with the stacks of books to the side of her, deadly silent without scrolling through her phone or T.V. like a true psychopath.

Tara lifted her gaze and siginaled me to sit beside her. “I told you I would give you answers once we got here so ask.”

My eyebrow cocked, and I hesitantly sat next to her. “You said something about a harbinger at my apartment. What’s that?”

Tara clenched her jaw. “They’re a type of demon. Shapeshifters really. When they change, they can obtain the same essence as the person or creature they are pretending to be.”

I massaged my temples and groaned. I had no clue what to make of this new information. “So, did you ever find the creature?”

“I'm afraid not. Mom—Raagini, only noticed because its transformation leaves a distinctive residue. So, she thought it already had you. Hence why she broke down your door.

“Is the creature a part of the coven?”

“I can't say for sure unless we capture it, but its smell was on you at the club so I’m not sure why it didn't take you.”

I gripped the side arm of the loveseat as my other hand tightened into a fist, forcing my nails into my palm. “Does this mean something else is after me?”

My life was so twisted. I mean, it’s a witch hunt for only me.

An angered fae wanting to punish me and a psychotic grandmother who wants to do who knows what with me. sacrificing me seemed like the way it was going. And now, a demon? When would it end? 

Tara grabbed a hold of my shoulder and squeezed. “You're safe. They can’t get you here. No one can.”

A mocking laugh escaped me and I lifted my head to meet Tara’s sincere eyes, sparkling. “You know that coven—my own fucking grandmother imprisoned me and is now tracking me down from my magic that I can’t seem to control, and now you‘re helping me? What do you possibly have to gain?”

Tara didn’t falter as she said, “I knew your mother. She was great friends with mine, but …”

She has to be fucking with me. Who hasn't said that to me? I broke into a manic fit of giggles and slapped my hand against my knee.

I wiped one tear that fell before I calmed down. “I’m sorry, but?” I lowered a brow.

“I don’t know much else, that’s more my mother’s territory. You can ask me more about the demons and I can tell you about them all day.” Tara perked up and clapped her hands together and her words made me sink deeper into the cushions. 

I sighed. “Right now, I’m more interested in the blood hex on Lucien and how we’re going to get rid of it.”