Page 74 of Winterfall Destiny

"You're not untouchable, mid," says Callum in a stupidly brave move.

"No, but I'm harder to kill than you." He flashes his teeth into the closest Ethan has to a smile and steps back. "Okay. Let's go. Looks like no casino for us tonight."

As Ethan leads us towards the door, Callum's face lines with confusion again. "Where did my security go? Didn't they accompany you in?"

"They must've left," I say brightly and take Maeve's hand.

"I don't know what the fuck is happening here, but I don't want to see you again," he says as Ethan reaches the door.

Maeve suddenly pauses, eyes widening, before she follows Ethan, and I walk out behind her.

28

MAEVE

Ethan uses the stolen key card on the elevator, and we travel back to the ground floor. I'm cautious whether the security guy I mind-controlled from the room broke free of the thoughts I planted, but thankfully he isn't waiting for us or immediately visible nearby.

I'm shaking after using the intense magic on Callum, as the fear of failure I held back in the room surfaces. But excitement surges through too—I managed to control and wipe his mind. I'll face more of a challenge with stronger supes, but succeeding on a shifter is a huge step forward.

Failure would've led to bloodshed. We'd still get what we wanted, just through violent methods. My way avoided that, but will Callum eventually remember?

We walk swiftly back to the casino, around the edge of the rows of sleek gaming tables, veering around richly upholstered chairs holding the gambling clients in luxury as they try their luck.

Pausing and rubbing a hand over his mouth, Ethan surveys the casino floor for a few moments. "I'm not leaving yet." My eyes widen. "Callum won't touch us. I need to watch who visits him."

"Callum won't be stupid enough to call someone who's connected straightaway," says Ash.

"In there." Ethan gestures at an area to the edge of the casino, tables and chairs tucked away behind a glazed partition with subtle mood lighting above. A small bar runs alongside the wall, with a single bartender serving from a selection of bottles behind, not unlike the collection in Callum's room.

"You always stop for a drink," says Ash and Ethan flashes him a look. "Just saying."

"If I stood in the middle of the casino watching everybody, that isn't as subtle," he says. "Besides, I have questions for Maeve."

I nod—as if I could ever disagree. I've never spoken to Ethan. Not really. Dorian's massive presence often places him and Zeke in the background, but they're no less commanding. Of the three, he scares me the most—I know little about his history or abilities, and I wouldn't dare ask. Dorian's transparent and vocal about his skills and equally so with threats to use them. This dragon mid hides.

Ash worried that I'd witness Ethan pulling people apart again, warning me how disturbing that is. I've seen plenty of disturbing things lately, but Ash assures me even he doesn't want to see Ethan in that state again.

Velvet upholstered chairs and sofas are arranged around round dark wood tables, and we settle onto seats, Ethan bringing across a whiskey for himself and cokes for me and Ash. Ash looked longingly at the beers, and I told him to get one, but he's determined to stay on full alert, with his human brain fully in charge.

"What happened up there?" asks Ethan the moment he sits.

"I wasn't expecting you to use mind-control, Maeve," Ash says. "Mind reading, yes, but…that was brave."

"As soon as I saw how weak he was against mental magic, I took him. His mind's blank," I explain, and Ash tenses. "No. Callum isn't a construct, but a witch put a block in his mind, which made my spell easier."

"That's dumb since the witch's block confirms he's involved," remarks Ethan. He takes a long drink, almost emptying his glass. "I guess that means you found nothing of use in his head?"

"Only one thing. Fear—and not of you, Ethan. I caught his thoughts as we walked to the door. Callum is terrified someone knows you've approached him, and that they might think he gave us information."

"He did," says Ash. "It's in my pocket and on my phone."

"Callum is worried about Gabriella?" asks Ethan.

I shake my head. "Her name wasn't in his head, but Callum must be connected."

"Get that witch guy of yours to check everything we've taken. We need to be sure that Gabriella's planning to leave via the docks with dragon help, and that she isn't sending us in circles while carrying out what she's really planning," says Ethan.

"I don't believe she'll sneak off with her tail between her legs," I say. "I'm betting on one last attempt to take us down before she goes anywhere."

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