Page 116 of Elora and the Crow

Elora studied the assortment of humans and paranormals who had gathered in Jonah’s living room.

“Bren, you shouldn’t have called them,” she said.

Bren ignored her, instead focusing on the wolf shifter and the grizzly bear shifter standing beside him. “How many people can you spare?”

The grizzly shifter, an enormous man named Bishop who co-owned the security company with Mal, the wolf shifter, and Kat, a jaguar shifter, scratched thoughtfully at his dark beard. “At least half a dozen, maybe more.”

“Ronin and Tori have already volunteered.” Kat joined them. “We can bring in Hudson and Briggs as well. With the three of us, that’ll be seven.”

Jonah took Elora’s hand. She squeezed his hand as he said, “Elora and I are the only ones going.”

“Like fucking hell you are,” Bren snapped. He turned back to the shifters. “With me and Cece, that’ll bring us up to nine.”

“Ten,” Kaida said. “I’m going as well.”

Bren turned to her. “No, Kaida. You’re pregnant.”

Smoke drifted from her nose. “I am aware, my mate. But if you think I will allow you to face a dark witch without me by your side, you’re being naive.”

“You’re not going,” Bren said.

More smoke drifted from Kaida’s nose, and she made a low growl.

“Hey, Bren?” Ronin spoke from where he leaned against one wall. “You might want to think twice about pissing off a dragon, even if she is your mate. Pretty sure she’s about to turn you into a shish kabob, buddy.”

“Kaida isn’t going,” Elora said.

“Thank you,” Bren said, giving her a grim smile.

“You’re not going either,” Elora said.

“This is not up for discussion,” Bren said. “No one in this room is letting the two of you face a dark witch alone.”

“If you don’t,” Elora said calmly, “Jonah’s brother will die.”

“I’m not talking about us marching up there like some fucking army,” Bren retorted. “We’ll be smart about it, okay? She’ll believe it’s just the two of you.”

Elora let go of Jonah’s hand and walked to Bren. She took his hand, squeezing it lightly. “It isn’t just about that, Bren. This witch is incredibly powerful, and none of you can defeat her. I’ll waste too much magic trying to protect all of you from her with barrier or protection spells. You’ll be a liability, not an asset.”

“She’s powerful,” Bren said. “Which is exactly why you need us. Cece can do the barrier skills while you -”

“Cece isn’t going either,” Elora said.

Bren stared at Cece, who was sitting on the couch beside Nimera, looking like she might burst into tears. Before she could say anything, Elora said, “She knows it needs to be just Jonah and me.”

“This is such fucking bullshit,” Bren snapped.

“Agreed,” Kaida said. “I am going, Elora.”

Elora smiled at her. “I love you, Kaida, but it isn’t just you and the baby you’ll be putting in danger. If you do anything to her and it’s discovered, your entire clan will suffer. The world won’t care that she’s a witch or what she’s done. All they’ll see is a dragon who burned a human. It’ll start a war.”

Kaida looked sick to her stomach, and Elora said gently, “You know that I am right, Kaida. You can’t help us, no matter how much you want to.”

She took a deep breath as Jonah moved to her side and took her hand again. She studied the people in the room, feeling a rush of affection and appreciation for all of them.

“Jonah and I appreciate all of you and your willingness to risk your lives for us. But we won’t accept your help, not when you most likely won’t survive the fight. I know you’re shifters, and you’re powerful, but you cannot win against magic.”

She studied their faces, watching the resignation wash over each shifter’s face.

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