9 #2
Which meant I was going to be lied to.
Lovely.
Did I really expect anything less at this point?
No, but never could I have expected what they wanted from me. I probably should have guessed from the line of questioning, but it sounded too insane, it really did.
I bobbed my head when they were done and met Uncle’s gaze.
“And after it’s discovered what I’ve done?
When I have no reputation and no one will ever trust me ever again?
” I swallowed a sigh when his eyes flashed shock.
“None of them are stupid, Uncle. They will figure it out. This could mean jail for me. We both know that.”
“You’re being dramatic, Madeline,” he chuckled, several others following his lead.
“Uncle, it’s corporate espionage to steal trade secrets and that’s what you want.
You want me to befriend Bevin and get knowledge.
Recipes. Anything I can from Familiar Treasures.
The owner. I don’t even know the legal terms for what spying on a top-tier family is, but we know others would kill me. ”
“You wanted a way out of your mating and we are giving it to you,” Father snapped.
I looked at him. “And what after? What life will I have after? Prison? Someone who loves Bevin making me disappear?”
Uncle held up his hand to Father. “I think that depends on what you bring us, Madeline.”
I bobbed my head and glanced to where his pocket watch had been before meeting his eyes and letting him see I knew it was a lie.
“No. This is another option leading to my probable death and I’d rather just get that over with instead of drawing it out.
If you’re not offering me a real deal, then just end it. ”
“You will do as you’re—” Father started to blast as he stood and made like he would move towards me, but one of my great-uncles stopped him and made him sit back down.
“She’s the only shot anyone might have and it could be us,” he hissed. “Shut up and control your temper for once.” He didn’t wait for Uncle and focused on me. “What do you want, girl?”
“Out,” I answered honestly. “I want a way out, Uncle. I’ll even accept prison if it comes to that.
Serve my sentence quietly as long as there’s no hit put on me or anything, but I want it in writing that I’m free.
Some pension to live my own life when I get out or a payout. Just go live quietly and be… Be.”
His eyes flashed shock and then confusion, most of the men there exchanging glances.
The head of the family tapped the table so I focused back on him.
“You give it everything you have, truly give it even if yes, it means prison, and I will put it in writing with a magical agreement. No hit in prison and an order of disownment. I’ll buy you a small place where you want, to blend in a city or a cottage with a garden if you want. A reasonable living stipend.”
“Without conditions?” I hedged. “One payout? And the property in my name? No strings.”
He looked impressed that I thought of that. “One million full payout, a place of your choosing under a million, and a vehicle since that will all be tricky for you to purchase after prison. If you get us what we want without prison, the payout will be ten million and you disappear.”
“Deal.” I nodded when his eyes flashed shock. “My fiancé is insane, Uncle. Please hear me and do not let that mating happen with anyone else in our family. No one of our blood deserves that monster.”
“I will add it to the agreement, Madeline. As a sign of good faith.” He gave me a sly smile. “Yours will be to reach out to Bevin Millen and show us that you can meet her outside of school and this is an investment worth our time.”
“May I look at my phone and schedule a moment?” I asked, glad when he nodded, curious even.
I pulled it out and looked at my calendar and then the school’s calendar, pulling up a few notices and chats.
I met his gaze. “I have to ask what prompted this. If it’s something specific and then I show up, that will make her suspicious. ”
“She is smart,” that same great-uncle praised.
I nodded as they explained that Bevin’s camp had information on Neal Wyatt—Professor Wyatt’s older brother—who was our enemy. But also the press conference said Bevin was still “pure” and they were interested in trying to pressure her into mating into our family.
And taking over the Millen family and assets which Bevin had outed she was the head of.
Also, that they weren’t sure they believed that Bevin wasn’t a goddess witch no matter the logic provided.
Women had provided it after all and they knew the truth that Charles Shaw wasn’t as smart as people said.
He was easy to manipulate but too powerful to overtake, so there was a real chance that some crazy prophecy could really be in play with Bevin.
And Uncle wanted to control that.
But most importantly? The thing that was the biggest priority to every man in that room, what clearly scared them about Bevin?
Her power. Her getting traction in pushing back against the system that gave them everything they wanted. The support she was gathering and women having the audacity to step out of line and think they could join her.
The irony of them coming to a woman to help them fix all of that was completely lost on them. I realized it also gave me an advantage they would never understand.
“That complicates a lot,” I hedged. “Even if she’s trusting and I have a past with Jasmine, they’ll be on high alert. That means a slower on-ramp because you know some idiot will be completely rash knowing she’s head of the family. She—”
“We will give you the plan and you will execute it,” Father said firmly.
I swallowed down what I really wanted to say and kept Uncle’s gaze. “This will never work if I’m to be treated how the women of this family normally are. If you want the result, this one time, people here will have to pretend I’m male and have a brain.”
“You’re pushing it, Madeline,” Uncle warned.
“With all due respect, I’m putting everything on the line.” I gestured to where the pocket watch had been. “And I’m willing to and give the respect of being honest with you so it works for both of us.”
“Oh? How so?” he challenged, his tone mocking.
“I agree with Bevin and what she’s doing,” I answered bluntly.
“You’re all completely blinded by your sexism, and it’s not only disgusting, but the normal witches and warlocks laugh at you, and it will be the downfall of the top-tier families if it’s not changed.
I’m smarter than most of my male cousins and none of you in this room can even fathom that. ”
Uncle opened his mouth to blast me, but I hurried on.
“However, I don’t believe Bevin will win.
I think a top-tier family will get her or kill her, and her magic helps our world.
Helps our familiars, and clearly the gods wanted that to get free of the Shaws.
I’d rather it be controlled by you than Jean Shaw or someone horrid like the Hughes.
Or the Wyatts because they’re just as bad. You have lines you won’t cross.”
He lost some of his anger and considered that, probably knowing he would never be able to convince me that I was what he thought women were. Certainly not in the time frame he needed to. “Let’s hear your proposal then.”
I mumbled to forgive me and looked back at my phone.
“She’s made friends with normal witches who are a few years older.
Two are in a class that most females tank the midterms because the professor gives us a different test, annoyed us breeders are allowed in Morrigan.
The warning and my study guides to them is one way. The running club is—”
“None of that gets you alone with Bevin,” Father snapped.
“No, but this isn’t something that has a quick result, Father.
” I met Uncle’s gaze. “Over break. I’ll make the small steps and leave the breadcrumbs that I want help getting away from my family and abusive fiancé.
Apologize for throwing her offer of help in her face and—it’s just over a month away. ”
“That’s a longer timeline than I want, Madeline,” he warned. “Do not think to play me.”
“I’d rather under promise and overdeliver instead of disappoint you,” I told him honestly. “But with the way people are acting so unhinged with her, someone is going to be rash and stupid. That’s going to be a problem.”
“Best guess?” he pushed.
I gave a half shrug. “Idiots from the bottom-level top-tier families try to get Winter out of the way so she’s single. Push out Professor Wyatt as her advisor, which won’t happen because I know the council’s approved him and been at a meeting with her.”
“We didn’t know that,” one of my second cousins muttered, the men sharing glances. “You’re sure?”
“No, because I wasn’t there, but it’s a pretty confirmed unchecked thing people know from a confrontation that happened. Bevin supposedly having said it in front of a lot of witnesses.”
Uncle slowly smiled. “You are clearly the right wo—person for the job, Madeline.” He sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Fine, you have until the end of fall break to meet with Bevin alone and then we will enter our legally and magically-binding agreement.”
I swallowed loudly, knowing that was the carrot and the stick was coming next.
“Or you fail and will mate your fiancé without one more complaint or demand,” he said firmly.
I let out a shaky breath. “No, because until Bevin is scooped up or dead, she is still in play, and clearly I’m your best shot. So even if I don’t meet her then, I still have a chance. A change in terms or compensation would be understandable, but that is too much of a punishment.”
“You go too far, Madeline.”
“Also, there are people in this room who would love me to fail, and I worry about the honor of some—the pride in this room that—”
Father slammed down his hand and stood. “For you to dare accuse me of that is so far over the line I should disown you right now!”