Rage (Her Monsters Book One) - K.A Knight Page 0,69
my massacre upstairs.
“Monster!” one calls out, from the circle of her coven in the middle of the room. She insults me from safety, they always do. They think they are so untouchable, so immortal. I’m about to show this witch what it means it be mortal.
“Witch,” I spit, and the words are a mix of a huff and a growl in my shifted form’s mouth. My nose ring jangles as I stomp my hoof, my torcs moving with me as well while I tower in the entrance of what looks like a ballroom. Wooden floors line the level with high ceilings above us and there, behind the witches in a cage of magic, are the outcasts and at the very front—Carmichael.
“My ancestors should have killed you when they had the chance. It’s a pity, but I will rectify their mistakes today,” she yells, her red hair floating in the breeze of the suffocating magic in the room.
I huff at her monologuing and charge. She didn’t expect that, none of them did. They all expected me to hesitate long enough for them to chain me. Not happening, not today, not ever again.
Tearing through their masses, breaking their protective circle, I roar as I rip them limb from limb. I lose all track of time, until nothing or no one stands alive around me. Just a circle of dead witches and their blood.
I snort, huffing at them. “Who’s dead now, bitch?” I spit and laughter starts up from the outcasts. The cage must have broken when the witches fell, because they are standing at the back of the room watching me. Most in thanks, some in disgust, but nearly all in fear.
Carmichael steps forward, clapping dramatically. “Bravo, my friend. I guess thanks is owed for the rescue? Come, I will find you some clothes and somewhere without body parts to change.” He steps over the red-haired witch’s head with a twist of his lips, and gestures for me to go first.
Inclining my head slightly, I walk side by side with the vamp as he leads me through his house, which is silent except for the whispering downstairs in the ballroom.
“Forgive them, most have never seen a minotaur in the flesh, you are the stuff of legends after all,” he adds.
I don’t feel the need to answer and he soon stops trying to speak to me. He leads me to an empty room and grabs some clothes from the dresser. “They might be tight but, well, you are massive and most here are not. The shower is through there. Go wash up and change, sleep if you need to, and we shall talk after.” He goes to leave and I force the words out, I still find it strange conversing after being alone this long.
“I am leaving again later, I have my mate to find.”
He nods, those eyes of his filled with amusement. “Of course, I will call the plane and make sure it is prepped.” He places his hand on the door before sighing. “She is a lucky woman, but maybe leave the dismembered bodies until after the first meeting, eh?” he jokes, before sweeping from the room.
Waiting until he is gone, I take the clothes to the bathroom and close the door behind me. I keep my swords with me, placing them on the rim of the bath as I flick on the water.
Steam starts to fill the room as I look into the lit up mirror above the basic white sink. My monster half reflects back. Scars crisscross my fur, most old, ancient even. Turning away, I force the change and stagger from shifting and killing so much in a short amount of time.
Dragging my tired body into the shower, I scrub all the blood away and get out, not bothering to linger. I will stay long enough to ensure they have their wards and protection back up again, and that the witches are truly gone. Then I am leaving, I have wasted enough time.
I need my mate.
Standing before the still lit fire, my naked skin bathed in blood and soot, I watch as the flames dance, entrancing me. The hunters’ bodies lie behind me and it hasn’t even been an hour since I killed them all. My dragon is sleeping soundly, happy after his little spree—for now, until he starts calling for his mate again. The reprieve is nice, allowing me to breathe and think through my next steps.
Clearly, the hunters are looking for me and that means I