Chapter 476

I blinked to see Shelly screaming, tears streaming down her face, frantically trying to retrieve the dagger from Abby’s chest. I breathed a sigh of relief, grabbing the cup. I jumped to her side, seizing her face. “What the fuck are you doing, you stupid fucking bitch? You killed our pup. My baby.” She grabbed a clump of my hair and ripped it out, but I remained focused on her tears. I needed exactly five.

Her nails raked my face, and I felt blood trickle down as they sliced through my skin. I had to jerk back as one claw came too close to my eye. But once five tears fell into the cup, I pulled away. I didn’t want to hurt her any more than necessary.

I walked to Rick, who was still screaming and crying. Toya and my mother held his arms, preventing him from attacking me. I grabbed his face and collected his five tears as he screamed, “I hate you. I should have let Vince kill you.” His words washed over me, but his next insult stung. “You are nothing like your father. You are the rot in the world, and eventually, everyone will see it. That’s why the goddess never gave you a good mate. You deserved Brandon. You deserve each other. That’s why the goddess took your pup. You would only ruin it.”

I kissed his brow. “You might be right,” I whispered, turning back to Abby.

“Leave her alone!” Shelly screamed as I returned to the burning bowl beside Abby. I poured some of the burning liquid into the cup, then grabbed Abby by the shoulders and tipped some into her mouth. “DON’T TOUCH MY DAUGHTER!” Shelly fought harder, but Wendy tightened her grip.

I laid Abby back on the table and ripped the dagger from her chest. Standing over her, I poured the remaining burning liquid into the jagged wound. Rick screamed, “Leave her alone!” His scream made my hand tremble, but I grabbed the bowl and upended it over her, setting her aflame. I fanned the flames until they reached a few inches high.

“NO!” Shelly lunged, but Wendy caught her. “Please, no.” She crumpled to her knees beside her mate.

The hatred in their eyes as they embraced dried my mouth. “They will understand,” my grandmother whispered behind me. “Finish it.”

I raised my hands over Abby, channeling more power. “Lorna ca shad une ben sou sla clen da shure sav itsha dom.” I watched as the wound in her chest slowly closed, the brand Vince burned into her skin flaking off. I retrieved the dagger and waited. The fire burned for a few minutes as the couple watched in horror.

I started to worry. I looked back, but my grandmother was gone. Did I mess this up? My fingers tightened on the dagger, and I closed my eyes, bowing my head. “Goddess, hear me. Deliver this child from the fire. Save her from the fate thrust upon her unwilling soul. Help guide me to cut the thread that ties her to this place and allow me to set her free.”

Rick fought to stand, gasping for breath. “I’ll kill you.” He struggled against Toya and my mother’s hold. But I remained focused on the flames above Abby’s body. “Let me go!” he screamed. Shelly grabbed Toya’s leg, distracting her and allowing Rick to break free. He leaped over the table and lunged for me, but I raised a shield between him and the table. “Let go of my baby!” he screamed, slamming his hands against the invisible barrier. But I couldn’t afford a moment’s distraction. I needed to see the cord. Rick threw himself against the magic. “As soon as this is done, you’re dead. Do you hear me?” he snarled, consumed by his rage. “YOU ARE DEAD!”

I refused to look at him as he snarled, remaining focused on Abby. I snapped my hand out as soon as I saw the thin black cord. Vince’s scream echoed through the cabin, causing everyone to cover their ears—all but me, as I stayed focused on Abby. I felt blood trickle from my ear, adding to the blood already streaming down my face.

“I’ll kill you!” Shelly and Rick screamed again. Rick charged the shield, and this time, I let him through. His hand clamped around my throat, and he leaned in. “I hope your soul is turned away by the goddess.” Then he squeezed.

“Daddy, let her go.”