I watched, unable to look away as their kiss moved past chaste. Cian kissed down Akiva’s jaw, mouthing over his throat before visibly sinking long fangs into his throat.
I heard Akiva moan and that was quite frankly enough for me.
“I’m going back to the car,” I announced, looking everywhere but at them.
They didn’t even notice. Indra was nosing around the clearing, turning over bodies and sniffing at dead vampires. I sure as hell didn’t want to join him in his investigation. I didn’t care.
I easily followed the traces of my magic back to Cian’s Jaguar, and I briefly considered wiping blood from my hand on it before sitting instead on the ground and letting my whip fall to the ground in a flurry of sparkling magic, settling there before fading to nothing once more.
“Goddess, please protect Aveline,” I whispered to the starry sky above. “Please, let her be okay and let me get her home in one piece tonight.”
If the coven wouldn’t let her go, then I really would have to fight them all for her. Would the new King of the New Orleans Clade help me? Would Indra and Akiva? Or would they simply disappear once they’d taken me back to town, complacent with what had already been done?
Chapter 4
It was a good thing Cian remembered the head. He’d thrown it in the trunk when he’d arrived back at the car, looking fresh and healed, save for the tears in his jacket.
“You forgot this,” he said sweetly, gesturing to the trunk as he slammed it, and I gave him a half-assed smile.
“Thanks.” I stood by my side of the car, opening the door after the locks clicked, only for Akiva to lean on it and shut it once more.
“A summoner,” the lich was very interested, and stood close in front of me. “La, aasif. Don’t get in yet.” He folded his arms and looked me over. “I do not see it.”
“What’s there to see?” He couldn’t see what kind of witch I was.
“Don’t sell yourself short.” Still he pulled away and slid into his own seat, leaving me to roll my eyes and silently scream at how he managed to turn my words on me before getting into the car as well.
The men spoke of the fight, of Cian’s new title of King, without asking me for much input. Not that I had much to give. Indra talked less frequently, and within a few minutes was content to rest his face against the window, eyes closed, and listen. I was as well, though I stared at the lights and what landmarks I could make out in the dark.
When we arrived back at the cemetery gates, Cian tossed Gavin’s head over the stone and watched it roll to a stop at Colette’s feet.
The witch studied it, though didn’t touch it, before letting her eyes lift back to Cian’s. “So it is done.” She did not sound surprised. “And you are a summoner.”
It was not a question, and my stomach tightened almost painfully.
“Where’s my cousin?” I asked curtly.
“I don’t suppose we could convince you to join our coven?” Colette spoke as if I hadn’t said a word. “Summoning is a rare gift. The more people who know about your power, the more danger you’re in.” She very pointedly let her gaze drift over the three preternaturals I’d gone to the swamp with.
“Seems like she’s had it worse with you so far than us,” Indra said quietly.
“I’ll be fine, thanks for the concern.” My tone was clipped. “Where’s my cousin?”
“She’s coming now. We do not hold witches captive here.”
What a lie. That was exactly what she’d done with Aveline.
Footsteps sounded on the stone and I turned my head to see my cousin sprinting towards me, giving Colette a wide berth before falling into me and causing both of us to nearly collapse.
“You came!” she gasped. “I–I thought I sensed you earlier, but I was so scared-“ She linked her arms around my waist, a fine tremble going through her body.
“Of course I came.” I glared at Colette over her shoulder and Aveline pressed her forehead to mine “Come on, Av.” I wanted to get away from these witches.
“Our invitation is open,” Colette said as I tugged Aveline over the line of cemetery property. “And I truly wish you would reconsider. Witches should stick together. Neither of you are so common as to be wasting your gifts."
I tossed Cian a grateful glance as he stepped between Colette and me, shielding me from her not-so-friendly invitation.
“No,” I snapped again. “We don’t want anything to do with you, so leave us alone.”
Aveline still shook and I turned from the cemetery, dragging her along with me.
Once we were out of earshot, I slowed to give my cousin a break. “Are you okay?” I checked her for injury as best I could. It seemed she’d been dragged out of bed in only a thin t-shirt and shorts. She didn’t even have shoes on.
“I’m fine,” she told me shakily, her blue eyes finding mine. This was nothing like the Aveline I knew. Tear tracks carved pale lines in her dirty face and I half-heartedly considered going back and summoning The Devil to show the New Orleans Coven just what a summoner could do.
“No!” Aveline grabbed my hand, drawing my attention. “I know what you’re thinking but just…just don’t, okay? I’m fine. They didn’t hurt me, I swear.”
Still I frowned as I looked at her, both of us having stopped on the sidewalk. Aveline shook while I strongly sifted through possibilities of getting back at Colette for what she’d done. One hand curled and uncurled at my side as I fought to not show my emotions on my face.
“What time is it?” she asked finally, looking around us.
“It’s uh…“ I looked at my phone.
