Lily swallowed hard. “That’s why they were always with the coven? Because they were working on a cloaking spell to hide us?”
She nodded. “Valefor was obsessed with us from the moment we were born. From before, even. That’s why they were so busy. Not because they didn’t love us, but because they did. I know you wished they were around more growing up, but it was the only way they knew to keep us safe.”
Lily’s palm covered her mouth. All those years of secret resentment… only to learn her parentshadcared about her more than anything. They had cared so much, they’d dedicated their lives to protecting her.
“That night…” Iris’s hands curled into fists. “Mam made me leave as soon as the spell failed. She knew what was going to happen. She gave me a list of instructions on how to maintain the cloaking spell and made me promise to leave with a blood vow I couldn’t break.” Her gaze traveled away. “If I was a stronger witch, I could have overruled her stupid vow. I could have stayed and fought. I could have saved them.”
“That’s not… Iris, you can’t think like that.”
“It doesn’t matter what I think. What matters is that they’re gone.”
“What happened to the spell? Why hasn’t the demon come back?”
“Mam taught me it, like I said. The coven and I have been maintaining it ever since. When we moved to Canada, the remaining coven members kept it going in Ireland until we had a chance to get it set up here. We were the only blood-borns in the city, so Suyin moved up here from the States to help.”
Lily stared at her, suddenly remembering the vials of blood and locks of hair she’d seen atLe Repaire. “You’ve been doing it all this time and you never told me?”
She was furious. She was stricken with grief. She was… grateful to her sister for protecting her for so many years without ever getting a word of acknowledgement.
“You wanted to be a regular person, Lil. I just wanted you to be happy.” Iris looked away. “I’m so sorry I never told you. I wanted to, you have no idea how badly, but I was so scared you wouldn’t forgive me.” She wiped quickly at her eyes. “I know there’s nothing I can say to make it right.”
“I’m so unbelievably pissed at you,” Lily whispered, wiping at her own eyes.
“I know what I did is unforgivable, and I don’t expect you to—”
“I already forgive you, numbnuts.”
Iris blinked. “What?”
“This is so not the time or place for this, but I’ve learned a lot these last few days, and I understand wanting to keep this messed up supernatural stuff from someone. I could tell Mist felt the same way with me. I’m sick of being this weak, sad person that people think they have to make sacrifices for to protect. I want to be strong enough that you aren’t scared to tell me the truth. I want to be strong enough to save the man I love.”
“Bloody hell.” Iris wiped at her eyes again. “Damn it, Lil, youarestrong. You’re the strongest person I know. You’re a fucking rock.”
“More like a boulder.”
They both snorted.
“No fat jokes, bitch, or I’ll punch you.” Iris jabbed a finger at her. “I never want to hear you talking down on yourself. I’m not kidding when I say you’re strong. Making a living off your clothing design? Never wasting time with men and partying like your screw-up sister? You even went to university.”
“All I got from university was a load of student debt.”
“Whatever. The point is, Lil, you’re an inspiration. You’re the person I want to grow up to be.”
“Whatever,” Lily echoed, voice wavering.
“You’re my sister, and I love you, and I promise I’ll do better in the future.”
“I love you too, stupid.”
Iris’s voice wavered too. “Shit, I’m choking up.”
“Me too.”
Two pairs of matching green eyes met in the darkness of the cave. A tear trickled down Iris’s cheek, but she dashed it away and forced a smile. “All right. You win. Let’s go rescue your demon and get the bloody hell out of here.”
“Thank you.” She held out her hand, and her sister took it.Stronger together.
Grabbing the lighter from Mist’s stash, they lit the torch on the wall. Iris pulled it from the sconce, and they headed down the tunnel away from the safety of the cave, stooping under the low ceiling and brushing cobwebs from each other’s hair with matching grimaces.
