Page 92 of The Spell Caster

“This story is very convenient,” Cedar Grey said. “Even if it is true, we can’t be sure where his sympathies lie. With us or… his people.”

Costi scoffed. “What people? I was raised by witches. I’m a witch. A guardian.” He looked directly at me. “My loyalty is here.”

“I’d like to remind everyone that Hell is our ally. Unless Councilor Grey’s recent discoveries have turned up anything to the contrary, I’m inclined to take their demons fighting beside our spell casters as continued cooperation on their part,” Rhodes said.

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” I said with a tight grin that was probably horrifying. I finally had a sword in this fight, and I intended to use it. “You need us.”

Costi’s mouth popped open beside me. He’d just figured out the same thing I had. “Son of a—” he said in a low growl. “How’d we do it, though?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt your private conversation,” Cedar Grey said snidely. “Is it anything you’d like to share with the rest of us?”

I smiled. “We killed half a dozen angels with one spell and saved the Northern Sea Circle from destruction.”

Grey’s eyes narrowed angrily. “Is that a threat?”

“The threat is to the angels if they try to attack the Mountain Circle,” I shot back. “We’re on your side.” Maybe not his side, but the witches’ side. “I’m taking Costi to the infirmary,” I said with finality.

Ash strode forward and locked eyes with me as we came to a silent agreement. The two of us wrestled Costi away from the guardians.

“You’re just… okay with all this?” he said to Ash, who hooked their shoulder under his arm and hoisted him upright.

Ash scoffed. “Don’t be foolish. This isn’t even the weirdest thing about you.”

Chapter 19

LAYLA

The Mountain Circle medical center was swathed in white and blue. A light sheet separating the beds fluttered in the fall breeze from an open window, late-afternoon sun turning the light golden. It should have been comforting and relaxing, but I was strung tight.

I perched on the edge of a wooden chair, watching over Costi as he slept off a high fever. The medical staff had treated and bandaged the burn wound on his chest, gotten him started on antibiotics, and hooked him up to an IV for hydration. Already, his normal color was returning. I’d tucked a blanket over him, and his rest looked peaceful.

It was the opposite of how I felt.

When the nurse had asked what caused his injury, he told them—a spell caster. Casters could incinerate an angel with one shot. Grey could have killed him with a stunt like that if the caster wasn’t precise. I was livid, demanding to know why he didn’t tell the Arcaenum that Grey had not only commanded a caster to hurt a guardian, but that they had gone through with it.

Costi’s only reply was “He threatened you.”

Cedar Grey was using our friendship to try to control us. He was up to something, and I was going to find out what it was.

“You look ready to end someone,” Costi said. His stormy gray eyes were watching me, black hair a delicious mess. “I kinda like it.”

I wanted to say something playful back, but I couldn’t get past the question pooled miserably on my tongue. “What are we supposed to do?”

He turned his head, looking up toward the ceiling. “No idea,” he said. “This is so fucked up. Layla, what am I?”

My heart twisted with the desolation in his voice. “You’re Costi,” I said, swallowing back tears.

He closed his eyes. “They’re gonna make me leave.”

“No. I won’t let them. Besides, they need us.”

He shook his head. “Grey will make sure I’m gone to save his own ass.”

“Then I’m going with you.” I twisted my hands together, fighting the need to reach out to him.

“I’d get you out of here. I don’t give a fuck about the Arcaenum or what they want. But…” His throat bobbed. When he spoke again, his voice scraped out of his throat. “What if I’m… something dangerous? What if I hurt you?”

I bristled. “Constantine Blackthorn! I’ve known you my whole life, and that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

---