Free Infernal Ties by Holly Evans Page B

runes back to their full strength. Pain was blocking my thought process. I double-checked the finger was still safely in my inner pocket before I trudged through the cemetery back to Serena’s. She owed me far more than a bit of information on a new witch.  

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

    Serena fussed over me when I showed up back on her doorstep, coated in bruises, my leather jacket and jeans in tatters. I kept a hold of the finger for a little while, just in case.  
    “Evelyn, you should be more careful. Come, let me heal you and let’s get you clean.”
    I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was more concerned about my dripping blood onto her nice clean floor than the actual state of me. Still, I stripped down to my underwear in her spacious bathroom, where we both inspected my injuries. I was more than a little pissed to see that one of the zombies had damaged my tattoo. The deep bite mark broke through two of the more colourful butterflies on my shoulder. The tattoo began as a butterfly on either side of the base of my spine, the butterflies fluttered up my spine until they exploded out into a large kaleidoscope across my shoulders. They were in every shape and colour. I’d chosen it to remind me of the beauty and fragility of life, to live every moment as if it was my last. I hoped that it wouldn’t become something darker, that I could get to Quin in time. I’d devoted myself to keeping him safe, and to protecting the city. I’d be lost without him.  
    A burning pain cut through my thoughts as Serena coated my injuries in a lurid pink paste. I tried to move away from her, but she held me firm with a stern expression on her face.  
    “Stay still, Evelyn, I’m helping you.”
    I gritted my teeth and stood still as the burning dug deep into my muscles before it slowly faded a few minutes later. I kept the finger on me; I wasn’t foolish enough to hand it over without getting my end of the bargain. Serena’s eyes kept darting to it, but she didn’t mention it. She stepped back and looked me over with an appraising eye. I felt like a racehorse at auction.  
    “Have a nice hot shower, I’ll put out some fresh clothes for you.”
    With that, she left. The hot water cleansed my body, but it didn’t alleviate the exhaustion. I leaned back against the cold tile and tried to pull myself together. I was making progress. I was a step closer to getting Quin back. The image of the pink-hilted dagger formed in my mind and made me smile; he would laugh when he saw it. He was getting closer. I was going to get him back.  
    Serena had left a small heap of clothing outside the door for me. Her taste was, as usual, impeccable. The entire heap must have cost more than a month’s rent. I picked up the pale blue skinny jeans, but it was the stunning leather jacket that caught my eye. The leather was soft, high-quality, and supple. It must have cost tens of thousands of crowns. Suddenly all the trouble I’d been through for some old finger was starting to look worth it. I wriggled into the jeans, pulled on the tank top and buttoned up the shirt. The jacket was like a second skin; it was elegantly tailored to flatter my figure while still being practical with my blades. I was in love.
      I pulled my boots on, leaving a trail of mud and dirt behind me as I headed down to find Serena and wrap everything up. The finger was cold and slightly slimy in my hand; I’d be glad to be rid of the damn thing. Witches had some revolting habits. She’d been good enough to heal me, though.  
    She stood up in the living room and held out her hand, palm up expectantly. I crossed my arms over my chest.  
    “Tell me about the new witch and coven first.”
    She sighed softly and sat down on the leather sofa, her legs crossed at the ankles and her backbone straight. I sat in the armchair opposite her and allowed her to compose herself before she began.  
    “I do not know her name, or the reason she moved to this city. She is far older than I