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.

every few weeks, taking me back to that night. I would never

her. “If she can teleport, we need to get back to the

blood on the edge of my shirt, something I could take with me and keep my magic focused on teleporting

you coming with?” I asked over my shoulder at Charlie and the

the body like this?” Aurora asked, appalled, disgust lacing her words and on her face. She could judge all she wanted, but taking care of the body of a woman who had tried to kill me through

stance, her hand clutching the cold one of the

is no need to waste time on the dead

Cyrus, more determined than ever, or derail. Everyone knew once a serial killer was exposed, they tended to panic, and their actions would become more erratic, normally

finger back toward the body. “She was being controlled! We have no clue which of her actions were truly hers

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

are free to do as you wish, Aurora. But I will focus on protecting the rest of our people, the ones still living.”

I’ll help take care of the body.” She said as

grabbed my arm, and I watched as several guards linked together. A handful remained, determined to protect the princess and the mother of the queen, but the rest looked anxious to get back to defend their people, their families, their king, and their

be it. We will see you soon.” I said firmly, subtly insisting that she come home to visit soon and assure her brother that she was

and I had a brief moment where my confidence faltered. It was more people than I had ever taken on my own, and I felt like a kid trying to

in the castle’s foyer, I let out a breath of relief. Tobias held under my elbow to keep me up, but I

where she was hiding, to check on Cyrus, and then to track Cora

stragglers. The only people in sight were the guards lining the walls. There were more than normal, two on every

were on full lockdown, just

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

listen, and one of the guards responded immediately that they were

her room. Clearly, she had cast it before when she was weaker and felt

the area. It looked clean and empty. Like she night here since arriving. Now that

have gone or done anything while she was

showing nothing was hidden beneath it

Empty. All of them.

since Cora’s arrival brought to me. I want to know everything they saw and touched!” I shouted angrily, grabbing the tray from the dresser containing a water pitcher and an empty glass and throwing it against

had been untouched. The glass was dry with no