Page 3 of The Slayer Seduction

I will return to the mortal lands time and time again, hunting the beasts that plague their fragile little lives, but only for her.

She is my purpose.

Chapter 2

Iris

Iknew I was a fool for coming here.

Even my familiar, Scarlett, who is usually pretty easygoing, is feeling the eerie vibes of this place.

“Mistress, we should leave,” she says directly into my mind.

“I need answers, Scarlett.”

The fox lets out an indignant huff. She’s the only one who knows how out of control my visions have gotten. I’m not sure I’ve had a full night’s rest in months.

At first, they were visions about the wolves, nothing sinister, just small glimpses of what would happen. But a few months ago is when things really took a turn.

My visions have grown darker, and I’m concerned about their ominous message. It was easy enough to ignore when I just thought they were about me. But the one I saw last night? With my sweet best friend Ember’s neck covered in blood, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Maybe Delphine can help,” Scarlett suggests, and I shake my head.

My grandmother has been more cryptic than usual, like maybe she knows something I don’t. Usually she would be the first person I go to with any magical problems, but I need someone who can give it to me straight. Maybe my visions are making me paranoid, seeing things that aren’t there, but either way, it’s what’s landed me in front of this swamp mansion about to deal with a nomad witch whose gift with tarot is legendary throughout the community. I had to dig deep into my savings to afford her, and I’m not turning back now.

Especially when the witch makes you pay upfront before she’ll even read your cards. I’m here and I’m getting my money’s worth.

Scarlett sniffs the air and crinkles her little nose.

“What is it?” I ask her.

“Men,” Scarlett says with disgust.

Sure enough, three large men in suits approach us. I clutch my wand in my hand, ready to strike if they so much as look at us wrong.

“You’re here to see mistress Izora?” the largest man in the center asks.

“Yes. I’m Iris Fuselier,” I tell them, and they nod.

They create an intimidating formation around us and walk us up the dimly lit cobblestone path. This woman has made a fortune off the paranormal and mortal communities alike and it shows with the grandness of her home.

Scarlett trots next to me, showing the men a little bit of fang, letting them know she’s ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

We enter the home and stand in the high-ceilinged foyer. There are paintings covering nearly every single wall, and you can just tell they were all expensive, one of a kind, original pieces of art. However, none of them match, the color scheme is jarring—it has Scarlett snickering next to me.

“You can’t buy class.”

I hold in a snort, trying my best to smile, but not show any teeth.

My back is ram-rod straight and I swallow thickly as I watch Izora nearly float down the stairs in all her glory. She has alabaster skin so white I wonder if she ever leaves her home and dark brown hair that curls around her face, which is mostly covered by thick cheetah print glasses. The fringed kaftan she’s wearing makes her look like a peacock, and I wonder if this is her everyday attire or just what she wears to show off her affluence to guests.

“Hmm, a Celestial witch. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one of you…In fact…No, never mind,” she says to herself more than me. “Come, come. I do not have all night,” she says, waving her hand to the room to the left of the foyer.

With wand-less magic, she opens the massive mahogany cabinet, sending her tarot cards flying in the air as they shuffle themselves.

“Sit,” she demands, and I do as I’m told and Scarlett comes to my feet, still on alert as I wait for the woman’s next direction. “In your message, you said that you are a seer?”

“Well, not exactly. I don’t have the gift under control. It’s why I’m here. I can’t seem to decipher any of the visions, and they’re keeping me up all night.”