Next everyone else in the house, from Sandford to the witches to the half-demon guards to the shaman cook, filed through with gifts. Once, in a museum, I saw a mural depicting an ancient pharaoh sitting in his throne as a parade of foreign dignitaries presented him with exotic offerings. That's what this looked like. And, like any normal thirteen-year-old girl, Savannah lapped it up.
After dinner, we retired to our room. It was only eight-thirty, but we couldn't keep our eyes open.
'Did you see what Greta gave me?' She pulled an amethyst-encrusted silver ritual dagger from the pile by her bed. 'A new athame. Isn't it great? I bet it was expensive.'
'Very.'
'Can I see the amulet Kristof gave you?'
Nast had asked Savannah to call him by his given name, until she felt ready for something more indicative of their relationship. A wise move, I had to admit.
I passed Savannah the necklace.
'Cool. Bet it's an antique.'
'I'm sure it is.'
'It was nice of him, don't you think? To get you something?'
I nodded.
Savannah yawned and stretched back on the bed. 'I'm so tired.' She lifted her head to look at me. 'Do you think they put something in our cocoa?'
I wanted to shout, 'Yes! Don't you see? Don't you see everything? The gifts, the party, it's all a sham.' Yet the truth was that I wasn't so sure of that myself. Yes, it was over the top. And patently unfair, since I could never compete. But was it a sham? I didn't know, so I settled for answering Savannah's question as honestly as I could.
'I think they probably gave us something to help us sleep,' I said. 'It doesn't feel any stronger than a sleeping potion. Probably valerian root, judging by the aftertaste.'
'Well, I don't know about you, but I'm going to bed. Greta said she has a surprise for me tomorrow. A really good surprise.'
'I'm sure she does,' I said.
Someone knocked at the door. When I called a welcome, Olivia popped her head in.
'Paige? Mr. Nast would like to speak to you.'
Savannah moaned. 'Can't it wait until morning? I'm so tired.'
'He only wants to speak to Paige, dear. I'll stay and keep you company while she's gone.'
Savannah sat up. 'I want to go with Paige.'
Olivia shook her head. 'Your father was very clear. Paige only.'
'But-'
'I'll be fine,' I said.
'Of course she will,' Olivia said. 'Nothing's going to happen to her, Savannah. Your father understands how much you've come to rely on her.' She turned to me. 'Mr. Nast is in the living room.'
I nodded and left.
No one escorted me downstairs. I passed Friesen and another half-demon guard, whom I'd only heard called Anton. Both cast subtle glances my way, but gave no sign that they were watching me. I knew they were, though.
Despite my intent to stay with Savannah, I'll admit to an inkling of temptation as I passed the front door. Earlier I hadn't thought of running. Now, though, as I neared the living room, I had to ask myself what Nast wanted.
I knew Nast had no intention of taking me back to Los Angeles. So long as I was alive, I'd be a threat. A minor one, but a threat nonetheless. Once I'd served my purpose, he'd have me killed. The only question was: When?
As I passed the door, I wondered whether I'd already outlived my usefulness. I hesitated, but only for a second. Nast's hold on Savannah wasn't strong enough to risk incurring her wrath. I had a few more days at least. Enough time to come up with a plan.
When I pushed open the living room door, Nast was inside, laughing as Sandford relayed an anecdote about a shaman.
'Paige, come in,' Nast said. 'Have a seat.'
I did.
'Would you like a drink? Port? Claret? Brandy?'
'Claret would be fine. Thank you.'
Sandford's brows arched, as if surprised I'd accept a drink. I had to trust in my conviction that they wouldn't kill me yet, and behave as if I trusted them.
Once Sandford passed around glasses of claret, Nast settled back in his chair.
'You asked earlier how we knew about Savannah's menses. I thought you should know the truth, though dinner hardly seemed an appropriate time to discuss it.' He sipped his drink, taking his time before continuing. 'I'll be blunt, Paige. Victoria Alden told us.'
The glass almost fell from my hand.
'I realize you won't believe me,' he continued. 'Let me offer proof that I've been speaking to Miss Alden. As for the ceremony, the Coven disapproved of it, but your mother did it for you. Miss Alden believes you borrowed Margaret Levine's car Tuesday night, not to get the tea ingredients, as you told Margaret, but to get the required ceremonial materials.'
I leaped to my feet. 'What did you do to Victoria?'
'I beg your pardon?'
'You said Victoria told you. You forced her to talk, didn't you? What-'
Sandford's laugh cut me short.
Nast smiled. 'Touching, isn't it? How she jumps to the defense of her Coven sister, even after that very person has exiled her from the Coven? We didn't hurt Victoria, Paige. We never even contacted her. She called us.'
'No. She wouldn't do that.'
'Oh, but she did. She got Gabe's number from Mr. Cary's office, then called and offered us a deal. Information for protection. She'd tell us crucial details about Savannah if we'd promise to take my daughter and leave town.'
'No! She'd never-!'
'You don't believe me?' Nast lifted a cell phone from the table by his arm. 'Call her yourself.'
I made no move to take the phone.
'No? Allow me, then.'
He dialed the number, lifted the phone to his ear and said a few words, then passed it to me. I snatched the phone from his hand.
'Tell me he's lying,' I said.
'He isn't,' Victoria said. 'I have the Coven's interests to consider, Paige. I will not-'
'You-Do you have any idea what you've done?'
'I've given Savannah to her father.'
'No, you've given her to a-'
'A Cabal. Yes, I realize that. I know all about them, despite what I said the other day. Savannah is the daughter of a sorcerer and a black witch. She deserves to be where she's going. Evil begets evil.'
'No!' I shouted, flinging the phone into the fireplace.
'Hear that crash, Gabe?' Nast said. 'It's the sound of illusions shattering.' He looked at me. 'I thought you should know, so you're fully aware of the situation. You may leave now.'
Without even waiting for me to go, he turned back to Sandford and resumed their conversation. I stormed from the room.
