Chapter 39: Beta of The Year

ZEKE:

This isn't how it's supposed to go down. I come here, save Marelyn from these witches, and take her back home. That's it. The stakes aren't supposed to be raised to this level. I pinch my gaze at the cut on Marelyn's cheek. It's real. Isolde has the exact one, and I clench my fist at my side, needing to punch something.

"I'll give this one to you. You got me, but it's not over yet," I say, shoving my other hand into a pocket hole.

Isolde looks like a thick green snake in a thick green grass with that smile. I have enough vendetta against these witches to want to end it all now. I was headed there, but now I can't. Marelyn is in danger. I can't risk that.

Bessie snarls. "Are you sure, Zeke?"

*

MARE:

"You underestimate me, Diamond." He whispers vaguely and then we all see it.

The rain becomes his pawn. He wields it and strikes the witches. That circle comes over us again and the rain's dropping like building blocks on their body. He protects Isolde, too, but the rest of the