Page 137 of De-Witched

Her friends didn’t take their decision as well.

Tia sat perched on one of Toil and Trouble’s stools as Emma stood behind the bar, arms folded, where they’d been when Leah and Gabriel had walked in five minutes ago. Where they’d stayed as they were told everything, including the plan to meet the High Family on their turf.

Emma’s face was a mask of fear. Tia was already shaking her head. “No.”

“Yes.” Leah sounded calmer than she felt. As if he knew, Gabriel took her hand in his. A united front. “This isn’t asking for permission. We’re here because...” She stumbled.

“Because you’re worried you won’t come back,” Tia bit out. Emma made a sound.

Gabriel’s hand tightened around hers, but his face was smooth, unrippled glass. “That will not be happening.”

“I thought you said you were leaving.” Tia’s tone was vicious in its accusation. “This is your fault.”

“Don’t put this on Gabriel. He didn’t tell me about magic.”

“No, I did.” Emma’s voice was raw. “It’s my fault.”

“Em, I didn’t mean it like that.” Leah closed her eyes, reached for calm, but it was hard when she was scared to death.

Surprisingly, it was Gabriel who stepped in. “Regardless of fault,” he said, “Leah’s secret is out. It’s better to approach the High Family ourselves than have them come to us.”

“I don’t think you’ve thought this through. Why not choose the other option?” Tia directed at Gabriel. “You’d get everything you ever wanted.” Diamonds winked at her ears and throat, as cool and hard as her voice. “We’d make sure Leah was safe.”

“I don’t need anyone’s protection,” Leah said irritably.

“She’s right.” His gaze was a caress, a whisper of love that only she could hear. “She has a right to be heard. To stand before them and speak for herself.”

Tia put a fisted hand to her belly and looked away, her face agitated. Violent.

Emma’s voice, in contrast, was soft. “You love her.”

“Yes.”

Leah nodded as Emma angled her head toward her in question. “Yes.”

A sound from Tia, low, pained. Like she knew that was the beginning and end of it.

With an understanding born of friendship, Emma reached out and took Tia’s hand, uniting them. The latter let out a shaky breath. They both reached to Leah at the same time.

She held their hands and fought not to give in to tears. “Come on,” she teased. “Have some faith in me. If I can talk Gabriel Goodnight into karaoke, I can talk anyone into anything.”

Tia squeezed her hand hard. “I want to say don’t go,” she murmured, voice strained. Her eyes were dark. “I want to lock you up in the cellar. But...” Her shoulders slumped and she kicked out a foot. “The damn warlock’s right.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Leah saw Gabriel open his mouth and then think better of it.

“It’s not that I don’t think you can handle yourself,” she insisted. “But you have such a spark, Leah. You don’t even know. I didn’t want our ways to snuff it out. Nobody gets through society unscathed.” Something old and painful moved through her gaze. “But you’re an adult and you deserve to make your own choices. Even if they’re wrong.” The last was said with a snarky undertone and a pointed tip of her head toward Gabriel.

Leah laughed wetly. “Thanks, T.”

Emma sighed. “Well, now I can’t think of anything that sounds as good as that.” She shrugged. “Go get ’em?”

Leah laughed again, loving these two so much. She held on one moment longer before letting go of their hands.

Gabriel curved a hand around her waist and turned them to go. Stopped. “I’m going to say I told her.” He looked back over his shoulder at Emma, then Tia.

They hadn’t discussed this, but Leah wasn’t surprised he’d take the fall. He knew how much these two meant to her. And being a protector would always be a part of him.

Emma’s lips parted in surprise. “Gabriel...”

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