Page 78 of Poison's Kiss
Sierra seems confused now. "That was a human witch with a nasty spell that fucked Amy up enough to give her some leverage. Her heart was beating too fast when she was running. I heard it clear as day. Amy is still young to her powers, but Thad was old. I could smell it in his blood when he was in changed form. There's no way this is related."
I guess Kane hasn't been looping the guys in on the details, just the basics. I'm sure he was trying to protect them by not involving them. Zee was involved already, refusing to leave when Kane basically begged him to.
Kane pulls out his phone and hands it to her. I can see by the horror on her face that it's pictures from Thad's murder. I cringe as think back to that gruesome day. The police still haven't released his body for burial - a burial I'll make sure gets done properly.
"A human witchdiddo that. This is dangerous. If she can kill a changer as old and strong as Thad, she can kill Amy or Zee without a problem. The younger the fey, the easier death can come," Kane murmurs through strain, and then he turns to Zee. "I want you back here. Alyssa can cast a protection spell."
I nod when his eyes turn to me, but Zee shakes his head at Kane.
"You saved me from the worst part of my life. I'm with you. Besides, Alyssa has sort of grown on me."
He gives me a wink, making me smile as he pokes at Kane a little. I may not be bonded to him, but he's still possessive as far as his friends go. Kane just grips his head tighter, not finding any humor right now.
"We want to help, too," Deke chimes in, sliding to the edge of the couch. "Sierra and I can drop Amy off with Clyde's coven. They'll keep her safe."
"Hell no," Amy barks. "I want revenge. This bitch planned on killing me."
Kane slides back, trying to find a way around letting them help.
"Fine. If you want to help, go speak to some of the local covens... human covens. They're mostly harmless. This all started in Pine Shore. There's someone here who knows something. In the meantime, no parties. Alyssa is still going to cast a spell."
I nod and head over to the corner to practice in silence. I'm about to start when I hear the conversation take a turn.
"You're going back to Edgebrook?" Sierra almost growls. "Amy was just attacked, and you're going to stay with the witch who tricked you into falling in love?"
Kane glances to me, and then his eyes narrow at her. "This is about Alyssa and me. Thetwoofusare being targeted. We're in this together, and I'm not going to leave her."
"Iwas attacked, Kane," Amy cries, poking herself in the chest with her finger to emphasize her point. "Me. Not her.I'mthe one who needs you right now."
Zee steps in and relieves Kane from the bad-guy role. "Alyssa is the mortal. She needs more protection. This wouldn't have happened at all if we had just let her cast the protection spell the first time she offered. We have to go back to Edgebrook. It started here, but it's moved there."
Kane stands up, walking toward the door, turning his back on the seething women. Deke seems to understand, considering he's not worried about Amy the way he is Kane.
"I can't believe you!" Sierra blares, lashing out at Kane again.
"Enough!" Dray yells, slamming his fist on the coffee table in front of him. "Kane is doing all he can to find this fucking murderer. Amy can't contain her wild half yet. She can't control her urges to change, and she can't control herself around Alyssa either. This is not up for debate. You care for Amy - keep her safe, keep her sane, and keep her away from this damn witch. We have to find her. We have to stop her before she finishes her rituals. All she needs is the blood and sacrifice of two more immortals to resurrect who knows what spirit.
"This isn't a time to be sloshing around guilt like it's a glass of champagne. We have to focus on the bigger issue. You don't. Amy's life is too precious to lose simply because she can't control herself. If she changes, kills, and makes a mess, they'll send the Somage to clean her up. Until she can learn discretion with her shifts, she needs to stay put. You need to stay put with her, Sierra."
Dray stands, shaking his head in complete frustration. Sierra slinks back like a scolded child, and Amy sniffles while looking away. This whole time I thought Kane was in charge, but it's apparent this is really Dray's coven. Kane is just the second man in command.
While the tension grows, I silently cast the spell and mark the mirror in front of me with my blood. I clear it from vision and from smell, feeling the barricade work as I start making it possible for them to all pass through.
Dice breaks the uncomfortable silence, sounding more helpful than annoying this time. "We should go. There's a party going on near here. I know the witch covens like to play at such events. I can persuade someone to talk."
I give him an appreciative glance, and he gives me a knowing nod. I walk out first, but Kane is right behind me, following me down the stairs. My phone rings, and I smile when I see Gage's name.
"I need to grab some clothes," Kane says as he touches my elbow.
The contact draws my eyes in, and then I look up, wondering why he followed me out to tell me that.
"Okay."
Then it dawns on me. I rode with him, so he's letting me know he'll be a minute.
He heads back in, and I answer the sweet dark user on the other end.
"I hope your day has been less dramatic and more productive than mine," I say, bypassing a simplehello.
