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“Stay away,” Gamble said. His voice was rougher than normal. His body started to burn and a new pain was added on. And yet he felt stronger.
The leg Gamble couldn’t move before was suddenly responding and he stood up. His vision distorted, and everything wavered in front of him. All the color bled out of the world, leaving it in nothing but greys and reds. He’d only seen this sight one time when he was a child and he’d vowed to never see it again.
“A demon. No wonder.” The man spat at Gamble. “You should have been killed at birth.”
Gamble was thrust back into his past and he shook his head, not wanting to remember the words thrown at him. He stumbled back and his vision returned to normal as he dropped down to his knees.
“Filthy demon.” “He will be nothing more than a stain on this coven.” “A natural born curse.”
Gamble grabbed his head, shoving the memories away. He wasn’t a child anymore. He’d grown up and he hadn’t turned into the monster they swore he was. But now faced with the challenge of killing, he couldn't. His hands shook and fear sank its claws into him dragging him further down.
“Let them go,” Gamble said.
He wanted to at least spare them. His magic was still wrapped around the children’s minds, keeping them far away from what was happening. Gamble could just make out the garden and the war that was happening. A huge fucking bear was tearing through people and his heart clenched as he recognized Bash. A blur of movement wasn’t too far behind, bodies dropping as it moved around. He could feel his power dwindling there was only so much he could do injured. If only he’d made it to them, then things wouldn’t have to end this way.
Where was Spooky?
“We’re doing the world a favor getting rid of you.” The man and woman stepped forward and both started to chant a spell. Magic sparked in the air and Gamble's stomach clenched. He wanted to see all of them one more time. He wanted to hear Arden chastise him, Bash’s growl, Eldon teasing, to touch Micha’s soft feathers as they snuggled, and hold Spooky one last time.
They say life flashes before one’s eyes as they come close to death but all Gamble could see was the future that would no longer be his.
Air seemed to be sucked out around him, every breath was a gasp as he tried to drag in more. Gamble scratched at his neck but he knew that wasn’t the issue. Whatever spell they were weaving was the cause of the suffocating feeling. The corners of his vision darkened and Gamble crashed to the ground.
A huge black panther appeared in front of Gamble and attacked. Blood sprayed as the woman was dragged down. Her own familiar came out but the panther was faster and twice its size. A roar pierced the air.
Gamble sucked in oxygen filling his lungs as much as he could and coughing from the effort. He blinked slowly trying to keep up with the huge panther’s movements. It was taking on both of the witches and their familiars. As the woman bled out, her familiar slowed down. Their lives were bound together and they would die together.
The realization dawned on Gamble as he watched the black panther shred into the man’s calf and fight with his snake familiar.
“Spooky.” Gamble’s voice was barely over a whisper. Had he summoned the familiar when he’d thought of him?
More blood splattered on the ground as the panther tore into the snake. The man screamed and wavered. He still held his hand up and Gamble's stomach lurched. But Spooky was faster than normal. He shifted to his little cat form and moved around the man only to shift back into his panther form and attack him from behind.
A guttural scream came from the man as claws and teeth sank into him. Spooky wrenched his head back tearing his throat. Hot metallic blood sprayed over them as the shifter stood there, snarling and panting. Gamble wasn't sure what to say. He was in utter shock.
The panther came over to him and Gamble didn’t hesitate as he reached out for Spooky. His fingers touched the hot sticky fluid of blood coating his black fur but Gamble couldn’t find it in him to care.
He shifted and in the panther’s place was his normal Spooky. Big brown eyes, freckles and black cat ears on top of his head.
“Gamble.” Spooky’s hands shook as he cupped Gamble’s face. “What took you so long? I was looking for you.”
Gamble shook his head. “I—” He didn’t have an excuse.
“You’re hurt, I felt it but I couldn’t find you.” Spooky’s brows dipped. “What happened?” His gaze went over to the children behind Gamble before they focused back on the witch.
“I couldn’t kill,” Gamble choked out. Spooky growled at him.
“You don’t need to. I will kill for you.”
Gamble couldn’t ask that of him or place that burden on his shoulders. It was Gamble’s own weakness.
Spooky gripped his face and his dark brown eyes were filled with so much emotion. “You idiot, we are one. I’m your familiar. What you lack, I have. And we’re in this together. So stop this bullshit and depend on me.”
Spooky head-butted him, making a fresh wave of spots dance in his vision.
“And next time call me a lot goddamn sooner!”
Gamble had thought he knew what it meant to have a familiar and when they’d bonded he was sure he’d be able to meet Spooky’s expectations of a witch. But the familiar showed him time and time again that he didn’t want Gamble to be someone else but himself. Flaws and all.
