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An impatient Marissa planted her hands on her hips. “What is taking that man so long? Is he looking with his ass?”
Daphne snickered. It seemed some things hadn’t changed since she’d been gone, including men being inept at finding items.
“While he’s fucking around inside, I’m going to check the wood pile I saw around back. Maybe there’s an axe.”
Marissa didn’t make any jokes as she sauntered off, leaving Daphne alone in the stupid cage. Foiled by metal. It was so unfair.
Movement drew her eye and dropped her jaw as Circe, her head at a decidedly unhealthy angle, rose from the ground.
“You’re dead!” Daphne exclaimed.
“As if I’d be so easy to kill. I will heal from this. And when I do, I’ll be back for you, Champion.” With slash of her hand, smoke enveloped Circe and when it dissipated, the witch was gone.
Just in time for Baptiste to emerge with a jug. He held it up, crowing, “I found some acid that should melt those suckers.” It took him a second to notice. “Where’s the body?”
“Gone. Circe is still alive.”
Chapter 13
Should have let me eat the witch.
For once, Garou had a point.
“I snapped her neck. How can she be alive?” Baptiste asked as he kicked at the bones on the ground.
“She’s been dabbling in some dark magic.” Daphne’s lips twisted. “Really dark stuff, to the point the Mother can’t penetrate it and Marissa stated she couldn’t access her full power.”
Bad place, Garou agreed.
“This place is all kinds of unhealthy. I recommend we get out of here ASAP before we start looking like those trees.”
“Any time you’re ready,” she replied dryly.
“Stand back from the bars while I weaken them with this acid.” He tried not to wonder why the witch had such potent stuff on hand as he knelt and poured the liquid in the jug around the welded joints. The fumes had Daphne covering her nose. He tried to be more masculine about it and let those nasal hairs burn.
As he began kicking the bars with his heavy boots, Marissa came around the cottage empty-handed. Not that it mattered. The bars snapped from the base and with a twisted yank, he managed to create a space large enough for the dryad to exit.
“Yay! You’re free.” Marissa clapped her hands.
“Now’s not the time to celebrate,” Daphne grumbled.
“What’s wrong?” asked the pink-haired witch.
“Circe’s still alive despite her snapped neck.” Baptiste filled her in.
Marissa’s mouth rounded. “How is that possible?”
“Because she’s found a way to heal major injuries. Should have taken her head,” Daphne huffed.
Decapitation tended to make death permanent.
“Sh-ee-it,” Marissa drawled. “You think she’s still close by?” She eyed the rotted trees around the cottage suspiciously.
“Most likely since this is a power hub for her. Which is why we need to take care of it,” Daphne said grimly.
“How?” Baptiste queried.
“She’s poisoned the land with her blood magic and sacrifices, but there’s one thing that cleanses.” Daphne moved to the cauldron and kicked it over, spilling its noxious contents on the ground. She then crouched by the fire pit with its glowing embers. She glanced at him over her shoulder. “We need to start a fire. A big one.”
