Page 64 of Expose Me

“You’ve said that already.” Zey took a step closer to her, dragging me along behind him reluctantly. “What do you mean?”

In answer, the woman got to her feet again and walked a few paces over to a tree. It was some kind of droopy tree, like a willow or something, with pieces of cloth and beads and charms hanging from every branch.

“You may remove the Onuei.” She gestured to the tree, then clasped her hands in front of her.

Zey and I shared a look. With my power and his innate connection to the Onuei, it would be like taking, well,anythingfrom a human. We moved forward together, my ability already seeking what I needed.

The woman held a hand up, palm out, and we stopped. “Only Zey. I’m sorry, Sky, but I need to be certain.”

I shrugged and planted my hands on my hips as Zey approached the tree. He was more than capable of finding the Onuei at this proximity.

Zey walked slowly past the woman and ran his hands through the drooping foliage, making some of the trinkets chime as they collided.

The ribbons in my mind had already located what we were looking for, and I knew he wouldn’t find it in the tree. Realizing the same thing, Zey turned and came to stand behind the woman. I smirked.

She tilted her head slightly, glancing at him over her shoulder as he reached up. Gently, he removed one of the ribbons that was tied into her hair. It was deep blue silk with delicate silver embroidery.

I chuckled despite myself. The ribbons in my mind’s eye had been leading me to a literal ribbon. There was something kind of ... poetic about that.

It was the final Onuei for sure. If my ability hadn’t told me so, the awed, satisfied look on Zey’s face would’ve.

My smile fell and I looked away. He had all he’d wanted since coming here, and before too long, he’d be gone.

I was a stupid idiot for letting myself get attached to a person who I knew very well was not going to be in my life for another week, let alone long-term.

“Thank you.” Zey’s earnest thanks drew my attention back to find the woman watching me closely.

She smiled. “It was my pleasure to keep it safe until you came for it.”

It couldn’t possibly be this easy.

“Why? Who the hell are you?” I barked. I may have been letting my complicated emotions out on the woman who was turning out to be completely harmless.

“Because it was the right thing to do. And my name is Emmaline,” she answered simply. “I could feel the ancient magic in the ribbon as soon as it appeared. A magic that could lead to a great imbalance if it was not returned to where it belongs. I believe it came to me because I could protect it from the unworthy, if it came to that. Thankfully it has not.”

Zey frowned and looked down at his fist as it closed over the ribbon. “But I am not the worthy one.”

“You are not the one the Onuei seek, no. But you are worthy of a great many other things Zeymlardterrerdjormljerra.”

She turned her knowing look at me, and I raised my eyebrows, impressed she’d managed to say his long-ass full name correctly and confidently.

“You’re Emmaline, part of the Triarchy,” I said as her identity clicked into place in my mind. She was part of a reclusive, but very powerful coven. These witches were spoken about in hushed tones among the witch communities. They were members of the House of Spirit and Sapphire and were called upon to assist in only the most secretive projects. I knew of them and some of the work they’d done for us, but even I had never laid eyes on any of them.

“Have you been in contact with the House of Spirit and Sapphire?” I reflexively took a step forward, angling my body between her and Zey. “Is this a trap?”

Zey gently touched my shoulder as Emmaline smiled.

“This is no trap, I promise,” she said. “I have already handed the Onuei over, and you’re free to leave anytime.”

I wasn’t sure I believed her. We were so close to finishing this thing, it would be just my luck that it all went tits-up right at the end.

“Wait a minute.” I shook my head, something occurring to me. “Why didn’t my power lead us here? When we found the first Onuei, we were much closer to here than to Brazil, which is where the strongest thread led.”

“It’s because of the protections I placed on it,” Emmaline explained. “And the protections of this place. Time and space act a little differently here.”

“What does that even mean?” I huffed. “What’s your angle here?”

“Sky.” Zey’s voice was gentle as he dragged his hand down my arm in a soothing touch. “It’s OK. She's not showing any signs of being deceitful. I believe her.”

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