Page 118 of Blue Moon Mistress

Taking a deep breath, I head back out. I don’t bother to get dressed.

I have no idea what the guys are discussing when I come into the living room, but they stop… and their smiles turn to concern.

“We have a teeny tiny problem.” I say, not wanting them to stew any longer than we have to.

“What’s that?” Johnny’s the least concerned of the group, but he’s also the one who’s had the most recent orgasm, so that follows.

“We have to take a road trip.”

I can tell it’s not what they were expecting me to say.

“Do we?”

I nod. “The coven found out about us and they need to pass judgment, so we have to go to Salem.”

“And if we don’t?”

“They’ll come here, but… No one wants an entire coven of witches descending on this sweet little town.”

They four of them look at each other, but it’s Joshua who asks, “What is going to happen?”

“We will be judged by a jury ofmypeers.”

None of them look like they like my joke.

“And if we’re found guilty of… whatever?”

“Oh judging you four is purely a side-eye thing. You’re not actually on trial. My guess is they just want to look at you.” And make sure none of them are too angry or have battle scars that would suggest they’re going to do something dangerous.

“So what happens if they find you guilty…”

“They won’t.”

“If they do?” Thomas watches me for a long moment. “Humor me.”

“The trial is to see if I am a threat to the coven or have drawn a threat to it. If they find me guilty—and again, they won’t—at best, they’ll banish me. It will mean I can’t get within a five hundred miles of Salem without experiencing excruciating pain.”

“And at worst?”

I know they’re not going to like it, but… I’m not going to lie to them. Wrinkling my nose, I try to think of the best way to break the news. “Then you guys will go back to being werewolves when the moon is full.”

The others look confused, but Chase pales. “They’ll kill you?”

“To protect the coven? Yes.”

Joshua curses and walks away, but Chase…

“Did you just gowl?” I ask, looking up at him. “I’ve told you. They’re not going to find me guilty of anything.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because I wouldn’t have done the spell if you guys were a threat to anyone. They’re doing this to make an example. I’d be shocked if they don’t pretend to consider it, but killing me would do more harm to the coven than you four ever could.”

“Okay.” He nods, but he doesn’t look happy about it. “We trust you.

“When’s the trial?”

I wince in apology. “Tonight. Who wants to drive?”

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