The Blessed And The Beast

Fifty-Five: Joselin

Joselin’s P.O.V.

Charlie was the definition of beauty. Everything about her was perfect and symmetrical. Her curls looked immaculate even without products or styling tools out in the woods.

“Are you okay to be here?” Charlie asked lowly, but everyone around would still hear her question. It was the curse of not having a pack link.

But I could talk to Tobias privately, which was good enough for me. He was all I needed.

Most of the pack knew my story. Those who had been there the day I was found heard my story, and word was spread through the pack. But from the horrified looks on their faces when they saw Rona tied to the rock with her skin carved up, I don’t think this is what they had expected.

At least Rona had been knocked out during it. That wasn’t a luxury I had been given, and from the way he was moving and screaming, neither was Cyrus.

“I am fine,” I said as calmly as possible. Because I was. I had come to terms with my past a long time ago, and after facing the alter in the mountains with Tobias, this one didn’t seem so bad…even though there was a body on this one. ‘You saw her? Cora? Did you see her here with your own eyes?”

My head tilted down as I examined the dirt beneath us, seeing the signs of a small struggle in the loose soil. The indents from feet and paws were deep.

“Yes. I saw her. Damien almost had her too. He got a bite on Cora’s arm before she got away.” Her words made my eyes widen, and I glanced at the beast of a man with excitement. There was barely any on the corner of his mouth, but the tiny spot of red there was good enough for me.

He drew blood.

I bent my knees, squatting by the disturbed soil. My fingers slipped through the Earth as I closed my eyes and pulled the foreign object from the ground.

“Woah.” One the guard said, and as I opened my eyes, I watched as three drops of blood began forming at the top of the dirt. With a swipe of my hand, they collected, and the large crimson blob hovered over my palm.

It wasn’t until I looked up that I noticed all of Rona’s blood had risen, too; the pool of liquid was far too large and sloshed angrily at the disruption. As I rose to my feet, the invisible wall holding it up broke, and Rona’s blood rushed out and back over the dirt and grass before reabsorbing. There was no use for it now that she was dead.

Aurora stepped back, the blood barely missing her toes as she released her hold on Rona’s arm. “No one deserves to die this way.”

Her murmur made my chest tighten as I bit back my response that no one deserved to live that way either. Once you experience the horror that Rona did… that I did …that Cyrus did, it scars you.

back to that night. I would never be free

as I glanced back down at the redhead before turning my back to her. “If she can teleport, we need to get back to the castle and

I could take with me

asked over my shoulder at Charlie and the bear

her face. She could judge all she wanted, but taking care of the body of a woman who had tried to kill me through my childhood and who had killed her own mother was not at the top of

stepped back toward Rona in an almost defensive stance, her hand clutching the cold one of

on the dead when we are trying to

Now that Cora knew we were onto her, she would either gun for Cyrus, more determined than ever, or derail. Everyone knew once a serial killer was exposed, they

of you!” Aurora argued, thrusting her finger back toward the body. “She was being controlled!

a woman who had lived her life hiding in a cave, I had been stupid to assume that

you wish, Aurora. But I will focus on protecting the rest of our people, the ones still living.” I turned back to

way soon. I’ll help take care of the body.” She said as Damien stepped forward with a

princess and the mother of the queen, but the rest looked

firmly, subtly insisting that she come home to visit soon and assure

more people than I had

cleared and we landed in the castle’s foyer, I let out a breath of relief.

to look for anything that could indicate where she was hiding, to check on Cyrus, and

The only people in sight were the guards lining the walls. There were more than normal, two on every door and one blocking the entrance to

were on full lockdown, just as I

and guards to protect the crown. Since Cyrus was with them, I could focus on what

over my shoulder to anyone that would listen, and one of the guards responded immediately that they were in the dungeon from behind

out, breaking the barrier Cora had in place to protect her room. Clearly, she had cast it before when she was weaker and

into the wall behind it, and I surveyed the area. It looked clean and empty. Like

gone or done anything while

flick of my wrist, the mattress lifted off the box spring, showing nothing was hidden beneath it before it fell back down.

Empty. All of them.

everything they saw and touched!” I shouted angrily, grabbing the tray

was dry with no fingerprints or lip marks. The pitcher