Chapter 0453

Madison fires until the gun clicks empty. Every single shot somehow misses the bastard.

I crawl toward my shotgun. I aim. I blow his fucking head off.

Blood sprays across my car. It splatters Madison as the Rogue’s headless body slides down the vehicle.

She flings the door open. She runs to me. Her arms wrap tightly around my neck.

"Let's get inside."

I guide her through the back door. "Stay here. I need to get rid of the bodies. I can’t have more showing up. Not until I figure this out."

"Okay," she whispers.

I reload the gun. I hand it to her.

"Just in case," I mutter.

I find no one else while disposing of the Rogues. I sense no one watching. But that means nothing. Not if I’m losing my ability to sense them. I should have scented the one that tackled me. I should have seen it coming.

It doesn’t matter now. They’re both dead.

I light a match. I toss it onto the bodies. Flames engulf them. I walk away.

"Hannah?" I call out as I enter the kitchen.

Silence. Then a weak, scared voice. "Here!"

I push open the dining room door slowly. Levi has her. Her back is pressed to his chest. His arm locks around her. My kitchen knife is at her throat.

"You're not here," I growl.

He pushes the knife tip into her throat. A bead of blood appears. She squeals.

"You are still not here."

"You're a smart Hunter. But stupid."

"Maybe. But you're still not in this house. You're projecting. Making it seem real. You're strong enough to hold a weapon. Strong enough to feel solid. How did you get in?"

"Does it matter? I'll find all of you. Won't I, Hannah?" He drags her back. She squeezes her eyes shut. She fights tears.

"You put something in her?" I demand.

"No." He smiles.

"It's in you," Hannah cries. "It's in you."

"Me?"

"Every day, you grow weaker." He grins.

"You haven't touched me!" I snap.

"No, I haven't." He agrees. "Funny what a little spell can do. How easy it is to control someone. Right, Hannah?"

"I didn't know," she whispers.

"That's the beauty. They never do." Levi laughs. "Amazing abilities we Witches have!"

"You know many other Witches?" I mutter sarcastically.

His smile vanishes. He glares.

"Why track me? Why take my abilities? What do you get?"

"Pick you off, one by one. Levi and Evelyn get to have lots of fun." He sings.

"Evelyn? Evelyn is locked in a dungeon. Last I heard, she wanted nothing to do with you, you cunt!"

He shoves Hannah aside. He points the knife at me. "What did you say?"

"Which part? Calling you a cunt? Or telling you Evelyn wants nothing to do with you? Let's see. When I threatened to cut her finger off hours ago, she said she never wants to see you again. That you lied her whole life. That if she sees you again, she'll rip your throat out."

"LIES!"

"Nah. Why lie when the truth pisses you off more?"

"I could slice your throat open."

"Yes, you could. But your legs are fading. Anger makes you weak, not strong. You're barely holding on. So get the fuck out of my house. When I see you for real, I'll string you up. I'll let the crows feed on your decaying flesh. That's if the Witch Hunter doesn't get you first."

The knife clatters to the floor. He disappears.

I look at Hannah. She's curled under the side table. "You didn't know you did that to me, did you?"

She shakes her head. She refuses to meet my eyes. "He told me just before you came in."

"Injection? Or a drug?"

"I don't know. I don't know when, where, or how. I don't even know if he's telling the truth. Or if I've done it to others."

"I have a machine downstairs. It scans bodies. We'll find out soon."