Page 122 of The Witch and The Blood Oath

“She was mad with power,” I said then added softy, “and love.”

As Walker’s eyes bored into mine, longing brimmed in them.

“We can’t let the High Witch kill the chimera,” Gloria said. “Everything Josephine knew about the creature and the sorceress came from our former Coven Mother. If Sybil doubted Cordelia’s plans, I doubt them as well. The best course of action to stoppingthatpower from spreading like a plague is to save the werewolf’s mate.”

“We can’t let Cordelia have the chimera,” Lyra agreed. “I don’t trust her intentions, nor do I trust her plans, but one thing is certain. If you find the chimera, and she truly is a link to this power, she must never be allowed near this book.”

“And you must never,” Maeve added, “eversay that name again.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Walker

In his narrow bed, my dad lay as still as ever. Alone in his room, I stared at him. The heart monitor still beeped, and his chest still rose and fell with breath. In the yellow light of the bedside lamp, his skin was especially pale. Asleep, the harsh lines of his face softened.

“We’ve never gone this long without arguing,” I joked. He didn’t reply.

Of course, he didn’t, dipshit. He’s in a coma.

“Walker?” Thea said from the door.

As my cheeks flushed, I faced her. Her dark eyes were round with concern, though I wasn’t sure it was entirely for me. All this time, my dad had been her charge. She had changed his sheets and cleaned his skin. She had tried endless healing spells to no avail.

“Thank you,” I said. “For taking care of him. I know the others gave you shit for it—taking care of a hunter—but you don’t know what it means to me or Cady.”

I don’t know that I could’ve done it,I thought.After everything he put me through, I don’t think I could’ve taken care of him like you have, even after he finally stepped up.

It was a thought I usually quieted, but standing here, on the precipice of saying a final goodbye or another hello, it raced through my mind.

“Of course,” Thea said. She tucked a long, dark lock of hair behind her pierced ear. “Are you ready?”

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

Thea walked to my side and squeezed my hand in silent support.

“You moved on from Freya fast,” my sister quipped.

I rolled my eyes but removed my hand from Thea’s. Cady stood in the doorway wearing her usual t-shirt and jeans. Despite her cutting humor, she stared at my dad with a face full of worry.

“I told you,” I said, “you don’t have to be here for this. Watching one family member come back from the brink of death is enough for one lifetime, don’t you think?”

Cady crossed her arms, and chagrin burned in her emerald eyes.

“Family shows up for each other,” she countered. “I’m not going to hide from this, Walkie.”

“Of course you’re not,” I muttered. I strolled to her side and kissed the top of her head. Her straight, sandy hair was still damp from her shower.

After the meeting with the Elders extended later and later, Freya and I eventually convinced them to let us attempt the spell to transform Clyde.

Despite the knowledge we had gleaned from Josephine’s beyond-the-grave message and the worst book to ever exist, we still didn’t know where the High Witch’s court was, which meant we were no closer to finding Elle, whose life hung in peril with every passing second.

The only person who might know how to get to the court was in a coma.

It was time for him to wake up.

“Not to rush you,” Thea said, “but we’re losing moonlight.”

As I wheeled Clyde’s bed out the door and through the short, plain hall, my gaze drifted to my fearless sister. Though it didn’t surprise me that she was involved in some prophecy to conquer the sorceress, it scared the shit out of me. She caught my worried stare and misunderstood it.

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