Page 61 of Dead End

“And now I need to leave Fairhaven, leave the Castle, just when Kane and I…” My voice cracked, and I found I couldn’t continue. “It doesn’t matter now. One door closed, and now I’m going to crawl through the window to the underworld.”

Closing his eyes, Gun exhaled through his nostrils. “I’m a top tier douchecanoe. I shouldn’t have followed through with Unas after you changed your mind. I convinced myself I was doing you a favor, that I was making the hard decision you were too afraid to make.”

“I didn’t hold back out of fear, Gun.”

“I see that now. I crossed a line that I shouldn’t have.” His eyes glistened in the sunlight. “If I could take it back, I would. I swear.”

The tightness in my chest eased. I couldn’t judge him by his worst actions any more than I’d want to be judged by mine or Kane by his. It was important to give others grace as well as the space to change or evolve; otherwise, what incentive did they have to try?

“Promise me you won’t do anything like that ever again. When I leave town, that’s it. You don’t mess with The Corporation for any reason.”

“I promise with one caveat.”

My heartbeat changed tempo. “What is it?”

He hopped up the steps to stand in front of me on the porch. “If any of them come for you… If they dare to show their faces in Fairhaven, I won’t hesitate to drag them across the border and demonstrate exactly what it means to be a La Fortuna mage.”

“If they were to come, I would fully expect you to defend yourselves.” I cupped his cheek in the palm of my hand. “I love you, Gun.”

He grasped the hand on his cheek and pulled me into an embrace. “I love you, too, Lor.” His voice strained by the time he reached my name. “Maybe one day you can find it in that oversized heart of yours to forgive me.”

The truth was that I’d already forgiven him, but the consequences of his actions extended far beyond me. That forgiveness I couldn’t offer because it wasn’t mine to give.

The meeting was held in the parlor room. It was a full house that included members of the supernatural council, as well as my houseguests. Even Libitina managed to join us. Her dark purple bruises had faded to a pale yellow and she was able to walk without assistance.

I waited for the chatter to die down before I called the meeting to order.

“Before we start, are there any cookies?” Josie asked.

“If I’d had advanced warning, I would’ve been more than happy to bake,” Nana Pratt said with an indignant sniff.

“No cookies, I’m afraid,” I said. A chorus of groans followed.

“Next time,” West said.

“About that…” I inhaled deeply.

“Lorelei’s going to the underworld to accept her aunt’s offer to rule,” Goran blurted.

I turned to glare at him.

He splayed his hands. “I accidentally overheard you talking in your bedroom.”

“Well, this is an unexpected development,” Josie said, although the vampire didn’t sound nearly as jubilant as I anticipated.

“That’s a terrible idea,” Camryn said. “I absolutely forbid it.”

Gun’s gaze flicked to her. “As much as I want to mock you for that dramatic statement, I wholeheartedly agree.” He turned his focus back to me. “And you know how much it pains me to miss a mocking opportunity.”

“Is this a permanent move?” Josie asked.

“I don’t see how it can be anything else,” I told her. “If I stay, The Corporation will keep coming for me.”

“Then we’ll band together. We can beat them, Clay,” West said.

“At what cost? I’m not going to sacrifice others to save myself. That’s not a fair price.”

“If we do this right, there won’t be any sacrifices,” Josie said.

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