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THIRTY-ONE

VICTORIA STEPPED IN FRONT of Aden and kissed him, just as he had done to her She was there, in his arms, exactly where he liked her, and with the touch of her hot, soft lips, his senses snapped back into place, Caleb’s pleading drowned out, the witch’s hold on him broken Before he could thank her, however, she ju toward Marie

"What are you--"

The two clashed together and rolled to the ground in a tangle of limbs

Victoria’s skin couldn’t be cut, so Aden didn’t worry about her Yet He approached the beast, who had positioned hi everyone inside, and raised his hands, as if he meant to pet The beast--he needed a nah his nostrils, clearly agitated by all the violence

"Can you place the witches along the wall for me?" Aden asked

There was a moment of suspended silence, where no oneto see ould happen Finally the beast dipped his head and began gathering the witches with histhe wall The ones still conscious tried to dart away, but he snarled in their faces, and they settled against the illingly

Finally, only Marie was left Her fight with Victoria hadn’t slowed Or gentled Nails slashed, teeth bit, fists punched and legs kicked

When the beast moved for her, Aden said, "Not her Not until I remove the vampire Okay?"

Chomper snorted as he nodded

"Good boy," Aden said "There’ll be lots of pets for you when this is over"

Choue rolled out, red and wet, and his tail actually wagged

Aden turned to the still-fighting girls They were rolling on the ground, their punches more concentrated--nose, throats, sto or slapping This was knockdown-drag-out, and to the death Without a single drop of blood spilled, since neither was bleeding

What was the best way to break up a witch and a vampire?

Caleb babbled, and Aden tried not to allow himself to become distracted "Victoria Separate Please"

Aherself away and pinned herself to the wall, ar into rock, as if they were the only thing holding her in place

Marie spun, facing Aden "Notto back down "There’s notyou to the grave with me"

"You’ll try"

"I’ll succeed"

"Really? What about her?" Grinning, Marie held out her hand and wiggled her fingers, revealing a ring very much like the one Victoria alore

Aden realized as about to happen, and his stoht, away fro to block, forcing the liquid to splash him instead But he was too late, and Marie moved too quickly Every poisonous drop hit Victoria’s profile Her face, her neck, her ar her pain, clothes and flesh sizzling

Aden changed his direction and sla her and holding her down He was so angry, he alirl before, and didn’t want to start now Instead, he hopped to his feet and ritted teeth

Choainst the wall A gust of air left her on a pained moan

"Hold her down"

The beast went back for her, pinning her to the ground as Aden had, using his teeth instead of legs

She struggled against the hold "Letbody in his arms and held his wrist over herhis blood "Call theto order," he told the witch

"Why don’t you come over here and request that to ain? Ha!

Do what she says, Caleb beseeched We have to do what she says

Caleb! Dude It’s not gonna happen Leave the boy alone She’s bad news Julian

No She isn’t!

Julian cursed at him

He’s ensnared, Elijah explained, just like Aden was Only Caleb hasn’t snapped out of it yet You won’t be able to talk any sense into hi eased and her teeth loosened on Aden’s wrist With his free hand, he s increased, htheaded

"I think I’ll stay here," Aden said Victoria’s eyes were closed, and she was breathing heavily She radiated tension, but she wasn’t screa to order, Marie, or I let the beast have you And if you’re warded against death, you’ll get to live in his sto fro death to relieve you"

"I don’t care! Do you hearto order, you’re right about that I don’t need the elders But your friends need to die, and so they will At erous They’re evil They will die"

She wasn’t going to relent, and if she was telling the truth, they would die in just a fewto have to force her to do what he wanted And there was only one way to do that