Page 92 of Married to the Devil

Moon’s chin dips. “They will run a vote in the territory. A certain portion want the people here to give a vote of no confidence.”

Ben sucks in a breath. A territory vote is very rare. It’s within the Council’s rights as overseers, but it risks angering other territory leaders.

“To which they’ll sweep in and place their own chosen figurehead,” I assume, not showing my anger. “Lobo’s uncle must not realize that his nephew isn’t in a position to take over more territory.”

Moon nods, unsurprised by that insight. He’s the Council representative for all creatures who aren’t witches or shifters. He has his fingers in many pies.

“And what would you suggest?” Stella asks.

Moon shrugs. “You need to have the territory put their trust in you. Anticipate foul play. Some representatives will not go about things fairly here, and I expect they will send agents to sow dissention.”

This is a game of politics. In the face of real problems, like securing the territory from the group trying to traffic our people, it’s exhausting. I sigh. “All because they don’t want to give Kalos his win?”

Now the immortal being across from me rolls his eyes. “Of course. They wish to exert as much power as they possibly can against him. Perhaps even tempt him to violence so they can finally attempt to put him down. They don’t realize that it will be the last thing they try to do. Don’t disregard your own standing though.”

I frown.

Moon continues, “With this territory grab, there are those who see you as getting too powerful for how rare your kind is. You hold too much influence that they can’t get their hands on.”

They’d deserve it if Kalos and I teamed up together and wiped them from the map. But that would be anarchy, and the casualties of war don’t hit the strongest, they hit the vulnerable. My eyes rest of Stella’s too-pale face. I will not endanger those I protect.

“How long?” I ask.

“You have about a week before they make the vote public, and maybe another week before the votes are cast,” Moon says.

They’re moving quickly. “Thank you for the warning.”

The immortal shrugs. “It’s good for everyone if when the vote is cast, you come out on top. The other councilors may not see that, but I do.”

He is used to thinking of things in a much longer window than the others he serves with. It’s unfortunate that a faction refuses to listen to him.

Moon bids farewell and leaves the room on a somber note. The guard who directed him here meets him in the hall and leads him back to the elevator.

It’s just the three of us now. Stella begins pacing, like the energy around her needs an outlet.

“This is only giving truth to our suspicions. It doesn’t change anything,” I say.

“It changes a lot. The charms aren’t enough,” Stella breathes. “Fuck, I can’t possibly make them fast enough to provide the level of comfort we need.”

“You figured out how to make the charms?” I ask. Last I heard, she was still struggling with the limitations of the magic.

She nods distractedly, but pride swells in my chest.

She’s done the impossible. Is there anything this witch can’t do if she puts her mind to it?

My eyes meet Ben’s, and his grim expression lightens for a moment. We both appreciate how one-of-a-kind she is. My admiration for her increases by the day. Perhaps that is why it’s so hard to resist her.

“What if we conceive an heir?” Stella says.

I freeze. A stricken look flashes over Ben’s features before he reels it back in.

She continues, “Ariel recommended it. Said the territory was hoping for it.”

I turn to take her in. Her lips are pressed thin, determination rolling off her in waves.

Anyone who didn’t know her would think that Stella desires to be a martyr over and over again. Once to marry me to save her friend, and now again by offering up her body for the territory.

But they’d be wrong. They wouldn’t see the fire that exists in my mate.

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