Page 159 of Last Gift: Supernatural Battle

Rooke backed up. “You’re going off-script.”

“Yes, I am.”

I washed my magic over the symbols on the wall until they were all aglow. I took a breath. “This is Tempest Bronte Corentine, daughter of Hazeluna Corentine, and granddaughter of Rowaness Corentine. The Buried Knolls will be attacked by the demon king and his army tomorrow night at sundown. This is an urgent call to all of the Mother’s children to join us in the fight for our coven and lives. We accept any help with open arms. And for those who chose not to come to our aid.” I frowned at the wall. “We wish you and your covens happiness and health in the centuries ahead.”

I severed the connection, not waiting for replies, then joined Rooke at the table.

“I think you meant that.” She was squinting at me.

“I think I did,” I told her. “Not the original coven, but the others… I know what I’d do in their shoes, but they’re not me.”

“See what I mean about being a leader, even when you’re not a leader?”

I grimaced. “That’s the last leadery job I’m doing unless the coven decides I’m the woman for the job.”

“Part of you hopes they don’t?” Rooke asked.

I pursed my lips. When the relics first chose me, I would’ve taken nearly any excuse not to accept the role of high esteemed. Now… “I am the best person to sit on the authority, but if they can’t see my value, then what I offer is without value. That’s my seat, and it must be given to me all the same.”

Rooke dipped her head.

“What I hope for,” I continued, “is a perfect drink to share with my cousin before I go make the most of the rest of the evening with my mate.”

My cousin waved a hand, and a gunpowder gimlet appeared before me. A dark beer appeared before her. I’d never seen her drink the stuff. As good a time as any to try something new, I supposed.

I lifted my glass to her bottle. “I am so very fucking glad I met you, cousin.”

She clinked her glass against mine. “The fucking gladness is all mine.”

42

For all my determination not to lead, I was the one silently moving through the caves checking on the positions of magus, Vissimo, and Luthers. I couldn’t not. What if something had been missed? This was a matter of life and death for so many. What happened here tonight would set the tone for years or decades, even centuries to come.

The four learning centers had been reserved for Luthers and accompanying magus teams. Luthers needed space to shift and fight.

Magus were dotted in teams through the nooks and crannies of our cave systems. Some would embed in the stone to ambush victims. All had been allocated weapons and charms for the battle.

The five hundred and seventy Vissimo would largely await their victims throughout the rooms and tunnels, speed and stealth being their huge advantage. Teams of magus were periodically stationed down the tunnels to ensure all supernaturals had some level of magical backup and protection.

Magus from foreign covens were in their positions in four-affinity teams.

I entered the eating chamber, not sure that checking everything over had reassured me one bit.

“Are they here yet?” Basilia moaned.

The same restlessness plagued me. I wanted it over or started already. Then I could stop expecting it to happen. “I feel you. We’ve got ten minutes.”

She flopped into a chair, blowing out a breath. “A lot can be done in ten minutes. I could probably paint the nails of everyone in this room in ten minutes.” She glanced around, then settled her gaze upon Andie, who was standing quietly in Sascha’s arms. “What happens to your nail polish when you shift?”

“I keep my nails short to play music, so I don’t often paint them.”

Basilia rolled her eyes. “Such an Andie response. What would theoretically happen?”

Andie raised her brows and called over her shoulder. “Delta, what happens to your nail polish when you shift?”

Each supernatural had their most trusted in the chamber with them.

A female Luther broke off her conversation with Hairy. “It’s there when I shift back.”

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