Chapter 29 #2
Soren winced and turned beet red.
“Dating witches has been strictly prohibited without first raising the possibility to the junior council.”
Soren sputtered. “I wasn’t dating any of them.”
“Perhaps that was the problem,” Cernunnos drawled.
Evie coughed to cover her laugh.
“Witches are known to be problematic and prone to violence at the slightest provocation,” I went on. “And though the Lords express their regret at having to maintain such a measure, it will prevent something like this from happening in the future.”
They’d made me memorize that little tidbit. I didn’t like them dictating who someone could or could not date, but this had turned out to be a far bigger mess than any of us anticipated. We couldn’t keep wiping out covens every time one of the Lords or any other shifter got tangled up in a few.
Unfortunately for everyone involved, witches often acted as one when one of their own was slighted. They rarely handled problems without consulting their coven mates. This almost always escalated matters into much bigger problems than sometimes necessary.
I didn’t think we should be taking them out like this because Soren couldn’t keep it in his pants. But Soren was a Lord and was therefore considered more important because of some rare set of skills I had yet to witness from him.
But here we were. I was the lackey performing necessary duties.
Duties I hoped I wouldn’t have to keep doing very soon.
“This seems like a leap in logic,” Evie said.
“Shifters and witches don’t really mix,” Seth said. “I can see why they might institute such a rule.”
“They don’t have to mix,” Cernunnos said. “Soren wasn’t looking to mix, only for a brief respite away from his worries.”
Soren stared at the god. “Do you have a problem with me?”
“Not all, young Lord. Merely a concern for your lack of discernment.”
Evie put her hand on Cernunnos’s arm. “Dad.”
Seth grinned broadly and leaned toward Soren. “He’s saying you’re a hoe.”
I had to cover my mouth this time.
“I’m well aware what he’s implying,” Soren growled. “Gods. Can we get this over with so I can go back to ignoring the lot of you?”
“They’re on Ethan’s land,” Seth said. “Do we have permission to enter his territory?”
“We do.” He sent me a text early this morning with his approval, though he hadn’t said whether he’d be there or not.
We could always use an extra set of hands when tangling with witches, but with Cernunnos there, it might be better if he stayed behind.
“Cernunnos and Evie will act as transporters. Ari?”
She nodded. “Happy to take whoever needs a ride.”
“Anyone bringing any weapons?” Seth asked.
Ari patted the small leather bag at her side. “I have what I need.”
Cernunnos and Evie shook their heads. Soren had nothing. I had a few bottles in my crossbody I could use if things got dicey, but no guns or knives or anything like that. I’ve found I didn’t really need them.
Seth pulled out a massive knife strapped to his back. I’d totally missed the harness or whatever he was wearing. “You could cut the head off a grown man with that thing,” I mused.
He grinned. “Or a full grown witch.”
Evie snorted. “Alrighty then. Let’s maybe save the big ass knife for the real feisty ones.” She raised one of her feet. “These are new shoes. I’m going to be annoyed if I ruin them because you’re indiscriminately beheading people.”
She and Seth shared a scary grin.
I waved my phone. “I’m sending you all the pinned location.
We’ll drop in half a mile away and walk the rest of the distance.
There’s one witch who should not be there, but if she is, you must take all caution to avoid her.
Don’t get hit by any of her spells. If you see her, go the opposite direction. ”
Everyone stared at me. “Does she not belong to the coven?” Evie asked.
“She’s the hired help. That black cloud from a few weeks ago probably belonged to her, drawn from her power and the extra juice from the coven. Do not take her appearance for granted. A pretty witch is just as deadly as a mage.”
“What I’m hearing is do not engage with the stunningly pretty witch.” Seth wiggled his eyebrows.
“I’m serious. If you see her, and I don’t, call out to me. I’ll back you up.”
Evie was watching me closer than anyone else. She stepped over and took me by the elbow. “Moira and I will follow. See you in a bit.” Cernunnos grabbed Soren. Ari grabbed Seth.
Evie didn’t budge. “Spill it,” she demanded. “Who’s the witch you’re so scared of?”
“I’ll tell you everything later,” I promised.
“You’ll tell me some now.”
“My mother.”
Evie sucked in a breath. “She’s—”
My BFF never took long to figure something out. “Ah. Is this similar to me and Cliona?”
“A little,” I admitted. “But mine isn’t doing a thing to protect me and never has.”
“If I can kill her, should I?”
Another thing I loved about Evie. She would not hesitate to take someone out if they hurt someone she loved.
“Cernunnos tried and failed.”
Evie’s brows climbed high on her forehead. “How,” she demanded in a flat voice.
“We have to go.”
She stubbornly crossed her arms and refused to move.
“Fine,” I growled. “Ari’s a famous fae weapons master. Mom somehow came into the possession of a god killing star thing. Something. I don’t really know. She almost took him out with it. So, no. Please don’t try to kill her. Not until we know she doesn’t have the star anymore.”
Evie tightened her grip around my arm. “You and I are going to sit down with a shit ton of cheese and wine when this is all over. You’ve been keeping secrets.”
“Yes, well,” I said with a sigh, “looks like it’s your turn to worry about me, isn’t it?”
A flash of hurt appeared in her eyes before she swept me away.