Pixie Dust (Pixie Dust Chronicles 1)

“Ack! Way too much information Roxy!”

“Oh please Karli…..we both know you’re not as innocent as you pretend to be.” She cracked her knuckles. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d really like to get this over with.”

With preternatural speed, she swung her arm out and back handed me. I flew into the wall with a teeth-chattering thud. She may be in her human form, but she definitely still had her demon strength. I was stunned from the impact. She took advantage of that by grabbing me by the shirt and throwing me into the coffee table, shattering it into a million pieces. While I was doubling over in pain, she kicked me, hard. Bile rose up in my throat. I was pretty sure at least a few of my ribs were broken. Breathing was excruciating.

She straddled me, as the blows continued to rain down. My eyes were filled with tears, making my vision blurry. One was so swollen that I could barely keep it open. I could feel small pieces of glass embedded into my back. Anxiety, panic, and fear all surfaced simultaneously. The pain was becoming more than I could handle. I could feel my consciousness drifting away. The room blurred in and out of focus.

“Oh no you don’t.” She slapped me across the face. “You’re going to stay awake until you take your dying breath.” Just when I thought the pain couldn’t get any worse, it felt like a white hot poker just sliced through my gut. Instinctively, I reached down with my hand. Blood was oozing out of my stomach. I looked down and could barely make out a large shard of glass, sticking straight up from my abdomen with Roxy’s hand on one end, grinding it even further into me. I began choking on the hot, metallic liquid that was rising up from my throat. I turned my head, vomiting up blood. Roxy sat back with a smug look of satisfaction on her face. It was then that I knew I was going to die. Blood was pooling onto the new carpeting below my body. I was too weak to fight anymore. Everything was in slow motion now. Just as my lids were about to close, I heard the voice of an angel in my head.

Karli, can you hear me?

Vance? Is that you?

Yes, baby it’s me. Leo called me and told me you were in trouble.

Vance, it’s too late. I’m so sorry for everything. Please know that----

Karli, don’t. It’s not too late. I’m coming into your building right now. Just hold on a few more seconds.

Suddenly, my front door was blasted off its hinges. Roxy turned her head in surprise just as Vance waved his arm, chanting something in Latin I think. She flew off of me, slumping down the wall, unconscious. I looked up and saw him towering over me. His eyes met mine and widened in panic as he knelt down beside me. He framed my face with his powerful hands. “Karli, oh God, look at you! What did she do to you?”

“Vance,I---”

“Shh honey, don’t talk. I’m going to fix this. You’re going to be okay. Just don’t give up on me. I can make this better.”

I couldn’t hold on, no matter how badly I wanted to. I felt myself slipping away with each labored breath. I focused on Vance’s beautiful face. I figured if I had to die, I could at least have a moment of peace beforehand. I could feel the blood filling my lungs. I tried forming words but I had no voice anymore. My lids were becoming heavy. I was blinking very slowly. I felt my heart giving up, and I was cold. Sooo unbelievably cold. Vance closed his eyes for a moment and then sprinkled dust over my gushing wound. A blue glow started radiating from his palm as he muttered something unintelligible. I smiled faintly, happy to have him with me in the end before I gave into the blackness.

Chapter 31

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Out of nowhere, I was hit with a bolt of lightning straight through my stomach. My eyes flew open in shock as I gasped for air. I felt like I was drowning in rough seas. My hand shot up for help and landed on Vance’s muscled chest. What was happening to me? I looked around, trying to make sense of everything. When I came back to his face which was streaked with tears, I remembered. I was dying, but now, I’m……….not? I sat up in disbelief.

“Whoa, Karli, take it easy.” He said. “You’ve just been through a lot. You need to be careful.”

I blinked repeatedly. “What……….” My head was still swimming.“What happened? W-What….. did you do?”

“I healed you.” He began showering me with kisses. “For a second there, I thought I lost you. But you’re okay.” He sat back and smiled. “You’re going to be okay Karli.”

I looked down at my blood soaked shirt. I lifted the hem and found smooth skin underneath. There was only a tiny little scar remaining in the spot where I was stabbed. My ribs felt fine. There was dried blood on my face, but nothing hurt anymore and my vision was clear. “Oh my God, how did you do that?”

“Good ‘ole, reliable fairy magic.” He smiled. “I never leave home without it.”

I continued inspecting my body for damage. I’m sure I still looked like hell, but I felt great! “That’s amazing Vance! I feel---” I was stopped short when I saw Roxy coming up from behind him. She was no longer unconscious and she looked royally pissed off. The planes of her face sharpened and she gave me an evil smile, revealing two rows of shark-like teeth.

Vance, look out behind you! I shouted in my head. He turned around, but not before she could sink her teeth into his neck, severing his main artery. He collapsed on the floor as a massive flow of blood was pouring out of him.

“You bitch!” She screamed. “Why do you always have men coming to your rescue? Now look at what you made me do!”

I crab-walked backwards, trying to get away from her. I looked at Vance who didn’t seem to be doing so well. He appeared to be the unconscious one now. Vance, can you hear me? Please tell me you can hear me! No response. I managed to stand, seconds before Roxy’s fist came flying towards my face again. “Ow, you bitch!” I screamed as I stumbled backwards. I managed to catch my balance and lunged for her, tackling her to the ground.

We rolled around a few times before she had me pinned beneath her again. “You want more, you little whore?” She shouted. “I’ll give you more!” She grabbed two fistfuls of my hair and slammed my head into the ground. Fuck, that hurt! While I was dazed, she slammed her head into my face, breaking my nose. I rolled over onto my knees and vomited up my breakfast. “Oh look at you, you pathetic excuse for a woman.” She laughed. “I don’t know what Chad ever saw in you. If only he could see you now looking so weak, so useless.”

I glared up at her as she stood, wiping the blood away from my face. I glanced over at Vance who looked much paler than he did a minute ago. I swear I will make this right. I vowed to him. I stood up while I was conjuring some dust. I don’t know where it came from, but I felt incredible power in the palm of my hand. I was so enraged; all I could see was my anger and hatred for this woman in front of me. I looked down and saw a red glowing orb forming. I looked back at Roxy and saw her eyes widen in surprise.

“I’ll show you weak and useless, bitch!” I wound my arm like a major league pitcher and the ball of light flew out of my hand, directly into the center of Roxy’s chest. She flew backwards and had a circular, smoldering mark in her shirt from the impact.

“What did you do?” She shrieked. Her teeth were sharpening even more as she stood up again. “I’ll get you for that, you cunt!”