High Witch (High Witch Book 1) by Mona Hanna Page A

took deep breaths, his stomach in a thousand knots, his stress consuming him. His mother wept beside him. This all hurt so much.
    Brayden looked over at Ariel. She stood beside Julius, staring at the machine. Her blonde hair blew about her in the breeze. She looked over at Brayden, her face deathly white, her eyes filled with horror. He wanted to run to her, hold her, but the two men tightened their grip on his arms. He just stared at her in dismay. She stared back, then shut her eyes, taking a deep breath. Julius grasped her arm and led her towards the structure.
    “Nadia!” Ariel called out, twisting as she walked to look at her. “Nadia, he’s just going to kill you! You don’t have to let him! You don’t have to protect him!”
    Nadia just laughed. “My love would never kill me!” she cried, her long, dark hair flowing around her. “Only you will die today — die horribly. Don’t try to trick me! I long to hear your screams.”
    “Nadia!” Ariel cried again, as Julius brought her up close to the machine. “It’s the test! Don’t you remember? Don’t you remember him doing this to you? He’s going to kill you, so he can turn me! Why do you think Brayden’s still alive?”
    Nadia’s expression became one of confusion for a moment. She shook her head. “You wouldn’t come willingly if we’d killed him! My love knows what he’s doing. All that will happen today is you being torn apart. Slowly. Slowly .”
    Julius brought Ariel up to the platform, then held onto her arms tightly, hissing something in her ear. Brayden saw Ariel’s eyes widen, then she looked over at Emily. She nodded. Julius forced her to walk up to the wooden bed.
    “Ariel!” Brayden cried, unable to keep silent anymore. “It’s okay! I forgive you!”
    She wept loudly as Julius raised the metal strips over the bed, holding onto her with his other arm. He lifted her and lay her down, fastening the bindings over her neck, waist and ankles. There was suddenly a blinding flash of light from the metal, and Ariel cried out. Her hands were held down by the strip at her waist. The metal clung close to her, so she couldn’t move. She would never be able to magically transport out of there. Brayden stared at her, horrified.
    Ariel lay there, struggling, staring up at the roof of the machine. Julius stepped down from the platform and walked towards Nadia. He smiled when he reached her.
    “You’ve done so well, my darling,” he said smoothly, grasping her arm and making her release Emily. Brayden’s mother stood there, hands still bound behind her, and looked over at him. He gazed at her with sorrow, wishing he could hug her goodbye. Tears glistened in his eyes. Her own eyes were filled with sadness.
    Julius brought Nadia close to him, embracing her. She placed her arms around him. Julius kissed her neck, tightening his hold on her, pressing her up against him. Brayden knew it was coming.
    “It’s been more than twenty years,” Julius murmured, bringing one of his hands behind his back. Nadia sighed in his arms. Brayden saw Julius bring his hand forward again, this time holding a sharp knife. Nadia was oblivious.
    “Let’s kill her now, darling. I don’t want to wait anymore.”
    “Yes, yes, just one more moment,” Julius breathed. Brayden wondered if the man didn’t want to kill Nadia. If he actually felt sorrow. He didn’t think he could feel anything but the most disgusting emotions, but he wasn’t sure. He winced, his insides squirming.
    “Nadia...” Brayden began, but Julius shot him a look. He looked over at one of the men holding him, and the man went over and grasped Emily by the arms. Brayden got the message. Julius didn’t need his mother any more; she was of no use to him. She could easily be killed, if Brayden didn’t keep quiet.
    He began to become riddled with anxiety. Could he just stand there and let Nadia die? Ariel killing her in battle was one thing, but this ... Julius kissed Nadia deeply, and she