the solution to the problem.
There’s hope. “How much needs to be injected?”
“Enough.”
I roll my eyes, calling on my patience. “Where can I get Glow?”
Now Rufus really does laugh. “Good luck with finding some. We had several flasks stashed on the ship, but no doubt it’s been confiscated and disposed of by now.”
I don’t know what to do. It’d be so easy to just tell Damon why I need distilled day water, and he could get some for me.
But he can’t know. Only Astrid can, or else the coven will get a step ahead of us.
“What you’ve told me is very valuable,” I say, trying to keep my voice from shaking as I turn away.
I’m trembling from a mix of excitement, happiness, and dread. My knees feel weak because I know what I have to do next. I glance at the rack of weapons on the far wall. Along with a keyring, there’s the spike, some swords, and a large ax.
I remember what it felt like to lift its heavy weight. How cumbersome it was.
“You swore,” Glen snarls, misreading my hesitation for second thoughts. “If you don’t carry out your end of the bargain, you’ll have a stain on your soul.”
“I’m not backing out.” I face him, my expression resolute. “I’ll do it.”
Seeming surprised, his lips thin. “You ever beheaded someone before?”
“No.”
“Chopped wood?”
“Nope.”
At the end of our training session with daggers this afternoon, Damon made me slice his arm with a real blade. It was the first time I’d used an actual weapon, and he said I needed to learn what it felt like to injure someone. To open their flesh.
I hated it.
“Just don’t hold back,” Glen tells me. “Having a half-severed neck would cause great pain.”
“Any other tips?” I can’t believe I’m getting instructions on how to execute someone. And from the person I’m supposed to kill, no less.
“Make sure you’ve got a good grip and a stable stance. Aim well.”
Nodding, I feel numb as I go to the ax. It isn’t the typical kind, like the one Kirian uses. No, this blade is far too large. Too long. It’s meant only for killing. There are blood stains on the handle, and I try to avoid touching the rust-colored wood grain.
Some of it probably belongs to poor Tibbs.
At least his death won’t be in vain. If these men hadn’t killed him, I might’ve never learned this information. I’ve got a few days to figure out if the rumor is legit, but it’s a good lead.
Carrying the ax in one hand, I unlock the door with the other. The keys jingle in my shaky hand as I slip them into my pocket.
“Steady, girl.” Glen watches me like I might crumble to pieces.
“I’m fine,” I insist, though that might be a lie. “Who’s first?”
“Earlwyn. He’s the oldest and weakest.”
I give everyone a wide birth as I shuffle around to the back of the cell. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. When I open them, my gaze goes to Earlwyn’s neck. With him lying on his stomach, I’ll sever the spine first.
That’s good, right? I should probably do it this way with all of them. At the very least, I don’t want to look into their eyes when I take their lives.
“Do it,” Earlwyn rasps, and the misery in his voice is unbearable.
Deal or no deal, this is still the right thing to do.
Just like Glen instructed, I position my feet and hands so I’m as stable as possible. Then I look at my target.
“I’m sorry,” I say with a lump in my throat, right before I raise the ax and bring it down with all my strength.
Damon
I’ve had about five too many cups of ale. One great story about Tibbs turned into twenty, and Dermott had way more memories than I did. I had no idea the two were so close, but from the way he’s draining the alcohol, I’d say he’s hurting worse than I am.
Several minutes ago, I thought I felt distress coming from Whitley, but it passed quickly. Maybe it was a nightmare. I’ll enjoy comforting her.
With my cock.
I hope I didn’t say that out loud.
When the men bust up with laughter, I think maybe I did, but they’re looking at Linus and someone says something about “those frisky mermaids.”
I join in with a chuckle, even though I missed the exciting tale. Speaking of missing something, I’ve been away from Whitley for too long. The new bond isn’t happy about that.
I have the sudden urge to go