Ashes of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #2) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,78

back for a while.”

“You just got here,” she pointed out crossly, folding her arms over her chest, staring meaningfully at me.

“I have a mark on my thigh that allows King Karnavious to hunt me down no matter where I am. I can’t stay anywhere long, or he shows up and tries to caveman my ass over his shoulder.”

“What kind of mark? Did he mark you as one of his witches?”

“I’m not one of his witches. This mark is different. It’s the kind that is so deep into my flesh that I can’t remove it, not even with magic. When I went into heat the first time, it happened in his home. He offered a way to protect me from the alphas by placing a mark on my flesh. I just hadn’t understood exactly what it would mean, but he did. I was naïve enough to think it would remain for a limited amount of time.”

“Do you know the type of magic he used to create the mark?” Esme asked, frowning, already knowing the answer.

“Blood magic, which in hindsight should have clued me in on his intentions at the time. I just wasn’t aware anyone would actually want to be connected to me, especially Knox. We didn’t hit it off or even like each other when he did the marking, so it was easy to assume he didn’t want that connection for any length of time. I was horribly wrong, considering he wants to use me as a weapon.”

“Every male within the Nine Realms craves to control a Hecate witch, Aria. You’re the shit of legends, and we’ve not had one with a strong link to the bloodline for some time now. You are more than a weapon, and considering the show you gave us the other night, I’m assuming you’re not looking for a coven. You are a coven worth of power in this tiny little silver package.”

“No, I don’t need a coven. However, the House of Magic does. I don’t even wield the same magic as you. It’s more primal and rawer, which I’m sure you felt when I cast to protect you and the others from Tristan’s soldiers.” Shaking my head, I waved my hands in front of me, “We’re off track, and Knox is currently chasing me, so we need to cut this short. My sister, Kinvara, will bring more witches to you, as well as supplies. I enhanced the castle with a barrier, I’m sure you’ve noticed. That will keep enemies out and still allow you to go out if you choose. You’ll earn your keep, or you’ll have to go,” I said, smirking as I fed her words back to her. “Prove to me you’re worth keeping. More witches will be joining you, but I need someone tough enough to do what is required. I think you’re that person. You’re powerful, which means you can enforce the rules. If you see someone who doesn’t belong or grow suspicious of them, don’t take any chances, kill them.”

“What are the rules?”

“First rule? Don’t be an asshole, Esme,” I snorted, watching her lips twitching in response. “Also, you have some serious resting bitch face when you’re thinking.”

“That may be harder to fix. My sparkling personality and resting bitch face makes people assume that I’m much colder than I am. How many witches are you planning to hide in here?”

“Here? Only a few more, for now, I think. There’s a larger castle that will soon be vacant. I think it will be a better fit for us.”

“Castles don’t go vacant.”

“No, but if you murder the dark coven currently in residence, they tend to be open for new ownership,” I said, shrugging as I stood to stretch.

“You’d need an army,” Esme scoffed, eyeing me.

“Oh, you sweet summer child. I am a fucking army. Esmerelda, this goes without saying, but to be sure you understand, if you cross me, I will burn you from the inside out. I will make sure you feel every moment of the pain until your flesh begins to sizzle, separating from your bones until your eyes pop out of your fucking skull. Then, and only then, will I remove your head and leave it for Knox to find. I’ll instruct him to place it on the seat of his throne, so you’re nothing more than a fucking chair for his surprisingly firm, very nice ass. My family is the only thing I really care about, and this plan ensures them and the witches within the Nine