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“Big words,” Tilly teased.
“A blood oath,” Cole responded. He ensured no one was watching before cutting shallowly into his palm and handing the knife to Maggie.
She winced but cut into it and grasped Cole’s hand.
One by one, they all repeated the actions until they all had clasped hands and exchanged blood.
Despite Stephanie’s reluctance, she agreed in the end.
“We swear to hold the locations of the siblings a secret until they are brought back to life, and we’ll allow fate to lead the way,” Maggie said.
They placed their cut hands on top of one another and swore the oath.
???
It was late when Stephanie returned to The White Witch. She had a two-space parking area at the rear, and she parked there. For a while, she stared at the inn from her car as she watched Kit pace back and forth in front of his window. He was clearly agitated about something and obviously consulting The White Witch because his mouth was moving at a mile a minute. Guilt hit her as she recalled the oath she’d given less than an hour ago, and Stephanie realised she was already tempted to break it.
Although Kit hadn’t mentioned his siblings much, she knew he missed them and that he was still worried about them. Stephanie was beyond shocked that she and all five of her friends had bought inns haunted by one family. What was the significance of that coincidence in the grand scheme of things?
She also found amusement in the battles unfolding at the other pubs as the ghosts tried to oust the intruders.
Kit was treating her differently, and she wondered why. He was insistent on protecting her, despite needing her to leave. Stephanie experienced a twinge, as the need to save her must be warring with the urge to protect the evil he’d trapped.
Kit gestured wildly, and Stephanie contemplated what he was ranting about. Suddenly, Kit stopped pacing and spun to face her.
Several things happened at once.
Kit’s mouth formed the word, ‘run’ while night fell without warning.
From the treeline behind her vehicle, darkness rushed towards her, and she sensed an overwhelming presence of evil. Stephanie fumbled with the door, and with a panicked shove, managed to get it open. She tumbled out of the car onto her knees, grazing them in the gravel, and the breath left her body in a soft huff.
“Stephanie, run! I cannot leave!” Kit bellowed from the nearest entrance.
Stephanie struggled to regain her feet even as the grating screech of claws scratching metal assaulted her ears. That sound, more than anything, propelled Stephanie into action, and she scrambled up and ran in Kit’s direction.
“Faster!” Kit yelled as he gazed at something over her shoulder.
Just as she approached the entrance, there was a stinging blow to her back, and Stephanie cried out as she was flung into Kit’s arms.
Instantly, he yanked her inside, arms wrapping her in the hardened shield of his body, and slammed the door shut.
Kit
“Now!” he roared to The White Witch, and she reacted by putting up a defensive barrier. The Human Killer launched itself against the door, sensing Stephanie on the other side, mere feet away. A pained howl escaped him as the barrier shot back anaggressive attack in retaliation when he touched it. But it didn’t stop him as he threw himself against the magical wall around the inn repeatedly.
Kit paid little attention as he held Stephanie in his embrace. She’d passed out as soon as she fell into his arms, and Kit’s hands were sticky. Carefully holding her close, he glanced at one hand and was shocked to see bright red blood covering it.
“Blast!” Kit exclaimed, realising Stephanie was injured. “Can you hold while I check her over?” he asked The White Witch.
She trilled her reply, and Kit got the sense she was enjoying herself.
He rolled his eyes and picked Stephanie up, and, cradling her in his arms, he carried her to the nearest table. Kit summoned blankets and covered the surface before laying Stephanie face down on them. Several curse words left his lips as he stared at the long-jagged gashes on her back that were bleeding freely. Her top had been shredded and was sticking to the nasty injuries, causing Kit to grimace. This is going to hurt badly.
He summoned hot water, cotton wool, antiseptic, and scissors. While The White Witch battled the Human Killer, Kit gently cut Stephanie’s t-shirt straight up the middle. The fabric was clinging to the wounds.
Kit winced as he pried them loose, and Stephanie murmured in pain. The injuries were healing faster than he preferred and Kit knew they were infected by the Human Killer claws, which carried a wicked poison.
In all haste, now he realised how serious this was.
