Page 45 of Outlawed

I shake my head in disgust. “I hear severing the bond between a witch and her bonded can be excruciatingly painful for both parties. How much you must have hated her.”

“She was a conniving, manipulative bitch. I gave her everything and she⁠—”

I twist my hand and suck the air from his lungs. Not a sound comes from him, even as his eyes lock on mine in horror and his face turns a waxy shade of blue.

“I thought I’d have so much more to ask. That I’d spend half the night torturing all your darkest secrets out of you. But you know what I’ve found out instead? I don’t care. The second I walk away from you tonight, I won’t think about you ever again. You’re not worth it.”

I twist my hand again as oxygen floods his body, making him gulp down lungfuls of air as he dissolves into a coughing fit.

Austin chuckles. “Remind me never to piss you off.”

“You always piss me off. Besides, this shit doesn’t work on you.”

“I’m sure you could get inventive,” he murmurs, moving behind me and pressing in close so I can feel his erection.

“Austin Dyer, are you turned on right now?”

“My dream woman is standing in front of me, with murder in her eyes. Of course, I’m turned on.”

I roll my eyes at him. The man is a walking, talking horn dog with a side of homicidal tendencies. Not that I have any room to talk.

“I’m hungry. Let’s get this over with so I can get home and eat.”

“I could eat,” he agrees.

I look at Porter before turning to Austin. “Let him go.”

“Wait, you’re serious?”

“I’m a woman of my word, Austin.”

“Well, I don’t give a fuck. I’m not letting this⁠—”

I cut him off with a kiss, surprising us both. “Trust me, okay?”

His eyes stare into mine, and for a moment I think he’s going to take matters into his own hands, but reluctantly he takes a step away and nods. “Alright. This is your show.”

He walks toward Porter, who has a glint of smugness in his eye. I twist my wrist and steal his air before checking out my nails. I’m not particularly girly, but even I have to admit my nails have seen better days. The joys of gardening, I guess. Even so, I decide I’m going to find somewhere to get a manicure when everything has calmed down a little. I’ll take Hannah and Jackie with me. And maybe Sarah and Mary, if they’re interested. Perhaps I should find someone who would come to us. Yeah, that might be easier.

“Cece?”

Do I go for a full color, though, or a French tip? The last time I painted my nails, I was a preteen and looked like I’d painted them with my eyes closed.

“Cece?”

Maybe I’ll let Hannah decide. Yeah, I think she’ll like that⁠—

“Calliope!”

I snap out of my thoughts and see Porter on the ground, twitching.

“Ah, crap.” I flood his lungs with air again before looking at Austin sheepishly. “I must have zoned out.”

He looks amused, judging from the smirk on his face. “I have no problem letting him die, but you said you didn’t want that.”

“Right, and I keep my word.” I nod, checking the time on my watch. “It’s actually a little earlier than I thought. Any idea what time the cemetery closes?”

“Around seven, I think. Why?”