“Ah.”
She huffs. “Well, you probably know why I’m calling.”
Emme stirs beside me and stretches. The sheet covering her slips down and exposes her breast. “It was an accident,” I blurt out.
There’s a rather dramatic and irate pause on the other end. “What was an accident?” she asks.
“I don’t fuckin’ know. Whatever you’re asking about.”
“The werewolf who was cut up like sushi?” she asks. “I thought some mutant octopus witch did that.”
“She did,” I reply.
“Then what are you talking about?” she bites out.
“I don’t know.” Clearly. “Whatever it is you want to talk about.”
Here’s the deal, I used to be a good liar. But with the most beloved Wird sister lying naked next to me, I’m not anymore.
Taran replies, sounding pissier than when she accused me of blowing out her eardrum. “Tell me you’re day drinking, Bren. Tell me it’s Witches Brew. Tell me I shouldn’t light your ass up like fireworks.”
“I…”
I’ve got nothing is what I’ve got.
“For hell’s sake, Bren,” she barks into the phone. “Get a hold of yourself and grow up, man. This is embarrassing.”
And now in addition to being an alcoholic she thinks I’m a loser.
From the other end of the line, I hear her fluff her hair. “Anyway, I’m calling because no one’s heard from Emme. I just got in from Iran. Gemini’s pissed, something about me causing international, unconscionable, and blasphemous chaos or some nonsense. It’s a total lie. The Caspian mountain only caught a little bit on fire and that sacred shrine was really old. It was one good windstorm from crumbling into powder, but like always, it’s my fault. Can you believe that shit?”
“No,” I say, although I really can. Taran and I share the same vocabulary and temper. Some have speculated as to why we never dated. This is why. We would seriously murder each other.
“Gemini’s at the Den working things through with the Caspian Den. Get this, their alpha is a wereibex. An actual ibex! He almost attacked me, but then realized I was just there to save the day. Gemini insists that the only reason he didn’t go all ibex on me is because my clothes were in tatters and my boobs were hanging out, but honest-to-God, even though they were, he was a decent guy.”
“I’m sure he was,” I say, watching Emme sit up.
“Anyway, the thing with Genevieve and the witches took forever. Shayna and Koda were about to crash or play a round of Jack Be Nimble meets Horny Humpty Dumpty or whatever the hell, and they realized Emme wasn’t here. Do you think she ran out for food or something? Koda says her scent is older, from earlier last evening. Tell me you know where she is and that she’s safe before we all lose our damn minds.”
“Is everything all right?” Emme asks. “You seem stressed.”
No biggie. I’m just about to die.
I cover the receiver with my palm, thanking heaven and back Taran doesn’t have supernatural hearing and that Emme’s voice is so soft.
“It’s Taran,” I whisper. “She wants to know where you are.”
Emme pushes the hair from her face. She smiles and extends her palm, requesting the phone.
Damn. Does the army know about that smile? She could be our secret weapon against the terrorists.
“Hi, Taran.”
“Omigod, Emme. Thank God. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she replies. “We were badly banged up and tired, so I stayed with Bren.”
“You sound exhausted,” Taran says.
She knows. Yup definitely knows.
“I just woke up,” Emme says, flashing me another grin.
Taran huffs. “Well considering you spent the night kicking ass and wiping the floor with octopus parts, I can’t blame you for crashing. I slept a little on the plane, after Gemini and I had makeup sex, you know how it goes.”
Emme runs her fingertips down my chest. “I do, actually.”
“Why didn’t you call to say you were staying at Bren’s?”
“Well…”
No!
I make a grab for the phone. Emme squirms away from me. For a little thing, she’s really slippery.
“A lot happened last night, Taran. More than I expected considering I was only going on a date.”
“No kidding,” Taran replies. “Look, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. All of us are. Celia felt so bad, she and Aric are en route home.”
Taran’s attention shifts. “Emme’s fine. She’s at Bren’s. You can go back to whatever messed up nursery rhyme you’re doing…What…Koda, calm down…Don’t you growl at me…We tell each other everything. Why does this shock you…Just, look, don’t wear that Little Bo Peep outfit around me…It’s disturbing…I don’t care what you do in your bedroom, I only care what I do in mine….okay, Jack and Jill then. Sorry, the dress threw me off…”
Taran returns to the call. “Damn, Koda is so sensitive. Hopefully, Shayna will sheer his ass or carry his bucket, whatever turns him on, so he’ll be less cranky. I haven’t slept much, but I’m pretty wired. I can come get you if you want.”
“No, thank you,” Emme replies. “I’m still worn out. Bren can just take me home later.”
“Okay, sweetie,” Taran says. “Whatever you want.”
“Taran, one more thing,” Emme says.
I shake my head. Don’t do it. Don’t tell her. I wanna live.
Emme pats my shoulder, speaking lightly into the phone. “Do you know what happened to the Lessers?”
“The fish and the ferret who invoked Mirror?” Taran asks.
“I believe Merche was a guinea pig,” Emme clarifies. “I spoke with Genevieve about giving them a chance, but I can’t be certain she will.”
“Well, Emme, let’s just say Genevieve did you a favor by not killing them. Had it been me pulling that crap, you know she would have come at me, wand and broomstick waving. From what Shayna said, Vieve changed the Lessers back to full humans. Vieve is returning them home for the local covens to deal with. It’s a smart move. It absolves Vieve of any guilt and forces the other head witches to apologize and make amends.”
“And amplifies Genevieve’s reputation as a just and strong leader,” Emme adds.
“Once more the great and powerful Genevieve comes
