Chapter 7

7

Nova's stipulation in regard to my dog backfired. "You can't leave," she blustered.

"Can Clover stay?"

"No." Her pissed expression didn't bother me one bit. A lifetime of seeing it on my fake parents' faces rendered me immune.

Was I being stubborn? Yes. I didn't want to fight with someone who, while not a friend, I had high regard for, but at the same time, as a grown-ass woman, I didn't need her issuing ultimatums. "I'm sorry you feel that way. I'll leave immediately with Clover and send you my contact info and stuff once I get settled." Never mind the fact I'd need to get a job to pay rent and whatnot. Somehow, someway, I'd make a home for me and Clover.

"You would abandon the cause over an Infernal hound?" She sounded incredulous.

"Not abandon, simply live elsewhere. I'll be honest, the castle and the commune life aren't exactly my cup of tea. There's no privacy, no MacDonald's, heck, I can't even watch my favorite shows because of the lack of televisions." I'd been watching Jeff Probst and Survivor for more than two decades. I hated missing the weekly drama.

"It's not safe outside the castle. You know the demons can sense you." Nova tried to use logic against me. However, she seemed to be forgetting one thing…

"I've gotten better at holding my magic tight, and if that's not enough, I now know how to fight." I might not be the best when it came to using a scythe, but blasting with magic? I'd gotten quite adept.

"You're still in training. There's still so much to learn."

"Learn from who? My magic works differently than everyone else," I pointed out. "Most of what I've gleaned was through my own efforts and experimentation."

Nova's face stiffened into a hard, disappointed mask. "This hissy fit over a menace is unbecoming for a messovenata."

I rolled my eyes. "A title and job I never asked for. A role you dragged me into."

"We saved your life!"

"You did, and in return I've been risking mine. I've been trying to fulfill this destiny everyone has pinned on me. I've lost everything because of it and now that I've found something that makes me happy, you're trying to take it away."

"You're being unreasonable in asking to keep a dog that is known to be deadly that you encountered only a few hours ago."

"It was love at first sight." It truly was. "If you'd just give Clover a chance…" I glanced down at my dog, sitting patiently by my side, looking adorable.

Nova didn't let her glance stray and snapped, "The fate of the world is more important than your stubborn refusal to listen to reason. I won't have it."

"Won't?" I asked arching my brow.

"Since you won't listen to reason, then you leave me no choice." Her hand swirled as her lips moved silently.

I'll admit, shock had me gaping rather than reacting as Nova went to cast a spell on me. Not so Clover, though. My dog suddenly leaped in the air between us, and the magic Nova flung hit Clover full on. A flash of colors that dissipated against his fur.

Clover hit the ground on four paws, shook his fur, unharmed but pissed. The three heads growled at Nova.

She pointed. "I told you it's dangerous."

"You're insane. It protected me."

"You've obviously been bewitched by this beast." She raised her second hand, readying to attack again.

I saw red. My fists clenched as I gritted out, "Are you seriously going to hex me?"

"You must be made to see reason."

"The only thing I see is you bullying me into doing what you want. How about what I want?"

"The world?—"

"Needs me to be strong, and that means not bending to everyone's whims." I'd done that enough already in my life.

Nova gave no warning as her hands shifted and magic spewed. I didn't move at all, but a shield appeared before me and repelled it.

My lips went into a flat line as I said coldly, "I'm leaving now before you force me to do something I don't want to."

I exited the castle and made it a few strides before Vance and Cain flanked me. They must have been nearby listening.

"Nova only wants what's best—" Vance started to say but I cut him off.

"I don't doubt she has good intentions, however, that doesn't mean her methods or reasoning are right. I might be a reaper witch, but that doesn't mean she or anyone else owns me."

"She just wants to protect humanity," Vance countered.

"I understand that, and I'll still help. I just won't be living under the same roof."

"I'll go with you," Cain declared.

It might have been more thrilling if I didn't suspect an ulterior motive. "I don't think so. You probably intend to murder my baby when I'm not around." Said baby leaned against me with trust.

"I wouldn't do that," he exclaimed with affront.

"Wouldn't you? You made your intention very clear back in the tower."

"If the mutt is important to you, then I'll deal with it." He sounded sincere.

My lips pursed. "I'll think about it."

"Sadie…" Vance adopted a cajoling tone, and I was done.

Despite not having reached the teleporting dais, I clutched the talisman and thought of nowhere in particular, just said, I don't want to be here.

To my surprise, despite the valley's supposed protection against portals opening outside the dais in the woods, I found myself in the cold place.

Back so soon? asked the voice.

I need a place to stay, one where people won't try and lynch my dog.

I take it your new pet wasn't accepted?

Let's just say shit got ugly, hence the need for a new home.

What of your mates?

What of them? My sour reply. They'd stood back and done nothing to help.

I know a place you can hide. It is remote, though.

Does it have food, water, and a roof to sleep under?

Water and shelter, yes. Food will most likely require scavenging as it's been abandoned for a long time.

So long as I can pop out and do some groceries, maybe pick up some Mickey D's, I'm sure it will be fine.

I swear the voice smiled as it said, I look forward to trying this Mickey that you're so fond of.

The comment had me apologizing. I'm sorry. I guess my abandoning Nova and the gang will put a crimp in my plans to find you a body.

A temporary delay. I've lasted this long. A while longer won't kill me. I swear I heard a giggle.

Did you just make a joke?

Yes. Again, the little giggle. It is nice to have someone to converse with again. It makes my existence less lonely. I'd begun to forget who I used to be.

Then I'll have to make a point to visit daily if I can. Because I couldn't imagine living in endless dark nothingness with no one to speak with.

I would like that. Ready to see your new home?

Yes, please.

Without any warning, I suddenly found myself outside, blinking. And by outside, I meant part way up a snowy and very cold mountain.

"What the hell? Where am I?" I swore as I hugged my upper body and glanced around. Was the voice trying to kill me, sending me to such a barren and wintery locale? Clover leaned on me and the heat from his body eased some of my shivering. A peek down at my puppy showed the snow melting around his feet.

"I know I told the voice to send us somewhere we wouldn't be bothered, but this is a bit much," I grumbled. I gripped the talisman, ready to invoke it and give the voice shit when I noticed something. A squint at the stone fa?ade before me showed a sheet of ice but beneath it…

"Is that a door hiding under there?" I muttered.

Intrigued, I removed my hand from my token and walked closer, tucking into the vee formed by rock so that the wind only nipped instead of chewed my exposed flesh. I really needed to get out of this cold. Or I could warm myself up. After all, I was a witch.

I closed my eyes for a brief second and called on my magic, imagining myself wrapped in a warm cocoon of air. The relief proved instant. With the worry of freezing to death handled, I studied the building carved literally into the stone of the mountain.

While I remained wary about touching it, Clover had no problem nosing the ice, melting it to no ill effect. It led to me extending the heat encasing my body to the ice covering what appeared to be a door set within smoothed rock.

The ice melted and began to give way, shattering into chunks as I smacked it. As it cleared, I noticed the smooth layer actually held some words. Words I couldn't read, I should add. Want to bet it was something along the lines of, "Beware, do not enter?"

By the time I'd removed the ice from the door frame, I could feel myself tiring. I'd expended more magic than I should have, considering I'd yet to figure out what might await inside, not to mention I wouldn't have an easy meal to eat to replenish my energy.

Here was hoping nothing nasty waited on the other side of the door.

Clover stood in front of it, but not growling which kind of reassured. Still, hadn't I just given myself shit for not being careful and rushing in? At the same time, would the voice send me somewhere to die? If I croaked, she wouldn't get a body.

My lips pursed. "What do you say, Clover? Shall we see what's inside?

"Woof."

With my dog's approval, I put my hand on the stone door. The spot I touched lit up, and with a creak, the mountain opened for me.