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palms became sweaty and her hand tightened into fists. Rage coursed through her veins.
    “How?”
    Something within her smiled and she glanced over at the freshly brewed coffee in the coffeemaker. She’d had enough. This was the last time he’d make a fool out of her.
    “Rufus,” she called out.
    “What is it now?” he called from the other room. “I’m watching the game!”
    “I just need to talk to you, that’s all. Need your opinion about dinner.” Althea smiled as she picked the skillet up from the floor.
    Rufus walked in, munching on cookies. She turned and their eyes met. He sickened her to no end. Something blossomed inside her that day. Something dark, something malevolent. Something primal and ancient.
    She wagged a finger at him. “Come here, darling, I have something for you.” The dumb bastard walked over like he was getting a treat. As soon as he was close enough, she wailed on him with the cast-iron skillet. “You son of a bitch!”
    She no longer saw her husband, but a red, hazy mist that had overpowered her. The entire time she was wailing on him, a sense of satisfaction and a deep, sick gratification graced her aura. To add to his injury, she poured piping hot coffee over him. His screams of agony sent a rush of control over her. She smiled at the feeling and felt no remorse.
    Yes, she was sated. A badly injured Rufus lay on the floor. He could barely move. Soon after, a neighbor had called the police. You would think one would become used to the constant bickering of a married couple. But not her next-door neighbor, Mattie Hays.
    When they found her, Althea was sitting in the kitchen floor talking to herself. Apparently she didn’t know what had come over her or what she’d done to Rufus.
    Neighbors and family members knew he abused her, and everyone believed she did what she did in self-defense.
    Althea knew otherwise. Now she knew of the sickness lurking deep within her. That night she’d created a monster. That night, she gained her powers and life as she knew it would never be the same again.

Chapter Seven
     
    “Wake up, Althea.” Vukasin’s familiar voice pulled her from the dark depths that started it all. “Please, sweetheart, awaken!” He chanted something in his native tongue.
    Althea’s hand immediately flew to her head. “Wh—what happened?” The vampire and wolf helped her into the chair. Her mouth was dry and her head thumped like crazy. Apparently she was working on obtaining a nasty goose egg up there. “Ow!” She winced as she lightly touched the sore spot.
    “What the hell happened to you?”
    Suddenly she came to her senses. “Oh, you guys, you can’t be here.” She gasped. “You’ve never been to my office before.”
    “Oh, Althea, we’re afraid something is horribly wrong with you.” Quinton shook his head. “We need to protect you.”
    She sighed. “There’s nothing you or anyone can do for me. Earlier I looked into the mirror, but someone else was looking back at me. Dimples was here too. She saw—whatever it was that’s inside me, staring at her, apparently. She flew out of here with her tail between her legs.” Althea looked at them both. “Dimples don’t run from anyone. She’s like me.”
    “It’s the witch,” Vukasin muttered. “We’ve battled with her again. She wasn’t lying when she said she grows stronger each time she enters this realm.”
    “Yeah.” Althea’s mouth was dry. Reading her mind, Quinton quickly summoned a cold glass of water. “Oh, my darling. Thank you so much.” Grateful, she gulped the water down in one setting. “But, what the hell is she doing inside of me?”
    Suddenly, a black cloud formed in the room and began to take shape. Althea gasped and rose, ready for another encounter. As the mist cloud settled, a figure in a hooded black cloak remained. She couldn’t make out the face, but she knew the familiar presence.
    The figure pulled back the hood, revealing an all too familiar face.
    Althea