AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t think so,” she said, putting a halt to Harlin’s intimidating stride. “This one isn’t what she appears.”
“What?”
“I think she was kidnapped and then apprenticed to become a witch.”
They looked at the littlest witch and could see that Daemona was right. Behind the dirt and grime, and beneath the dark cowl and conical witch’s hat, was just a little red-haired girl with freckles and pigtails. She stuck her tongue out at the men.
“What is your name?” asked Daemona, stooping to be at the girl’s level.
“Esmerelda. Why did you destroy my aunts?”
“They weren’t your aunts. They were witches that kidnapped you. Tell us, do you know where your mother and father are? Where are you from?”
“My aunts have had me for a long time. Maybe most of this year. But I miss my mommy. I used to live in Tall Town.”
“Do you know where that is?” asked Daemona.
Ghul Lykos nodded. “Yes, but it’s out of our way and we need to hurry.”
“We can’t leave her here and we can’t take her with us to Ghul Tark’s. We need to take her home first.” Harlin nodded his agreement, though his face was grim.
“Uncle Ghul Tark?” asked Esmerelda.
They looked at her in curious shock.
“That’s what my aunts said to call him,” she said with a whimper. “He’s scary.”
“When did you see him last?” Daemona asked.
“He was here a few nights ago. He said he was expecting you. That he would see you again soon.” Her dirty brows rose, and she looked concerned at their surprise.
“Me?” asked Daemona. “Again?”
“Yes, he said a Succubus with two fighting men was coming. But it’s all right,” she assured Daemona. “He said you would betray your wicked companions and join him. Then he said we could all be a family again with the Grey Empress as our new mother. I want a mommy again.”
Harlin and Ghul Lykos looked at Daemona.
“Did I say something wrong?” Esmerelda asked, glancing at their faces.
“Oh boy,” breathed Daemona.
Chapter 9:
“It doesn’t mean anything,” Daemona said as they tramped through the swamp.
“Even if Ghul Tark was lying,” said Harlin.
Daemona growled, “Of course he was lying!”
“Let me finish. Even if he was lying that you would betray us, which he probably was—.”
“Did you just say ‘probably?’” Daemona stopped short, slapping her hand against Harlin’s chest and putting her nose as close to the taller man’s as possible. “If I was going to betray you—which I haven’t—I would have done it already, before coming to this hellacious mosquito-ridden part of the world. Trust that!”
“I’m not even talking about that. I’m just trying to say that if he knows we are here, that’s what is dangerous. My whole plan was to sneak in under his nose.”
“Yeah! Good job with that,” snapped Daemona. “You’re quite the park ranger, aren’t you?”
“That’s royal huntsman to you, thief.”
