Page 88 of Hex You

Hunter frantically tore at the ropes, releasing the knots she tied that had bound Amphitrite’s body but not her power. With the mob behind her, there was no way Hunter could make it back to the car, much less to the olive tree. If she was going to end Amphitrite’s reign of terror, she had to end it now.

As Hunter struggled to release the final knot, a loudboomsounded and a flash of emerald lit the park. Gripping the poppet, she spun around.

“Mag!” Hunter fought back a swell of tears as her twin collapsed onto the wet grass, her skin a sickly green in the light of the magical barrier she’d cast around the snarling mob.

“You’ll pay for what you did to my sister,” Hunter growled to theinvisible Amphitrite and yanked on the end of the rope. It unraveled, freeing the poppet and dropping to the ground like a dead snake.

A snarl creased Hunter’s face as the sea goddess materialized before her. “Welcome back.”

Amphitrite shook out her brown hair, releasing a current of salt-tinged air that stung Hunter’s cheeks.“I never left.”She stretched her long, blue arms overhead and rolled her slender neck as if stepping out of a small car after a long journey.“It’s really a shame that you don’t know the difference between binding the body of a goddess from doing harm in this realm and banishing her completely. The space between the two is vast.”

“It’s funny that you mention the vastness of space. I carry that power within me, and you made the mistake of sending your minion to poison my sister. Now my magic is free.” Hunter unclenched her hands, and blue flames licked up her fingertips.

“I wouldn’t, if I were you.”

Goose bumps peaked against Hunter’s arms, and behind her, Emily screamed.

Hunter whirled around. Beside Emily, Jax listed from right to left, a strand of kelp swaying in the hypnotic pulse of ocean waves.

More wails sounded as members of the crowd began to sway in unison with Jax.

“Mortals, such spongey creatures, yet you cannot survive in water. However, water is the elixir of life and makes up nearly your entire body. Did you know that, Witch? That mortal blood is mostly water?”

With a snap of the sea goddess’s fingers, blood seeped from Jax’s pores. It slid down his face, rained from his fingertips, and bloomed against his white T-shirt in tie-dyed bursts of cherry and crimson.

Scarlet mottled the corners of Hunter’s vision. She didn’t need to hear the shrieks to know the same was happening to members of her town.

Emily’s cries ceased as she, too, began swaying and blood spurted from her pores like juice from a lemon.

Hunter rushed to her friends. She gripped Jax’s bloody shoulders and shook him. No response. His stare remained vacant, his eyes unblinking. Emily was next. Her curls had lifted from her shoulders and floated around her head in an unseen current. Hunter pressed her own blood-streaked hand against Emily’s cheek. “I’ll fix this. Just hold on.” She reached for Jax’s hand and held it tight as she spun around to face Amphitrite.

“Let them go!” she shouted, fire burning within her chest. Beside her, Xena shook off Abigail’s bathrobe. There was a flash of light and then the huge cat arched her back and hissed as she stalked toward the goddess.

“Admirable but tedious.”Amphitrite held out her arm, spraying water at Xena with the strength of a fire hose.

“Xena!” Hunter shouted as the cat flew back toward Khenti and Mercy, shaking arms still outstretched and eyes pinched shut in concentration as she continued to siphon Khenti’s energy for her spell.

“When will you learn to ignore the unimportant?”Amphitrite blinked slowly as she studied her long, glowing fingers still dripping with water.“Come with me, Witch, and I’ll release your friends.”Water sprayed as she returned her hand to the folds of her shimmering skirts and leveled her gaze on Hunter.“Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do for your poor sister.”Her frown was a mocking pout that hacked at Hunter’s heart.“But, to show that I have truly forgiven you for your blasphemy, I’ll put an end to this mess with the townsfolk.”She motioned to the mob. No longer screaming to end Hunter’s life, they now needed to save their own.

Hunter straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I would sooner rot in Hel than walk one foot by your side.”

Amphitrite’s throat bobbed with a tight swallow.“I have offered you more than—”

“Wait. Shut up.” Realization sprouted a smile against Hunter’s lips. “You need me.”

Amphitrite floated forward, a neon-green trail as slimy as a sea slug in her wake. “Needis such a strong word.”

“Then leave,” Hunter said, holding her ground.

“Over and over I have been betrayed.”The sea goddess wrinkled her thin nose.“And betrayal is a nasty companion, but one that is easily slayed by revenge. I want my revenge.”Amphitrite tossed back her hair, and Hunter grimaced as salt water splashed her face.“Come with me, and I’ll make sure your end is swift.”

“It’s not this realm’s fault your husband can’t keep it in his pants,” Hunter said, blinking the salt water from her eyes.

Amphitrite’s jaw ticked, and her skin flashed an array of Las Vegas neon.

Behind Hunter, Jax and Emily gurgled.

“Your friends don’t seem to have much time.”Amphitrite’s man-eating smile returned.“Face it, Witch. Only the power of a goddess can save them.”Her gaze roamed over Jax and Emily before drifting to the crowd.