“Unfortunately, it won’t be quite that simple.”
My brows lift. I didn’t think poisoning ten people at once would have been considered simple, but okay.
“There are ten members of the council at any given time, and they are significantly powerful beings of many different worlds and species. No one type of poison would work on all of them, at least not quickly. The council also has some tactics to protect us against poison, so we’ll have to work around that.”
I narrow my eyes and wonder about my death potion. Everything I read claimed it was universal. Should I mention that?
I decide to let her keep talking and figure out my side of things later.
“There is also the issue of some of their abilities. One of the members is a mind reader. She requires very close proximity, and some beings are able to block her—like me—but she can indeed read thoughts. Another is a transporter, so if anything appears wrong in the slightest, he’ll leap out of there in a second, and you won’t get the clear swipe we’ll need.”
I take in a long breath. I didn’t expect this to be easy, but it’s feeling overwhelming right now.
“The good news is that part of the meeting involves swearing silence, a spell that involves ingesting a liquid which we will all drink together, so poison is a possibility, but I have some concerns.”
“We just need to be very deliberate on how we do it.” I need details. I pray she’s willing to give me all of them.
“I will write down every name, and their species, so you can do the research to figure this out. We’ll plan it together, and I’ll execute.”
“You’ll execute?” I don’t like the idea that I’ll need to trust her to achieve this. Why can’t I be there?
Other than the whole mind-reading thing.
“If you enter the room within hours of the meeting they’ll smell it. Remember, extremely powerful beings. So, you can help me plan it, and we’ll have Manuela set up the looking-glass so you can watch things unfold from my room at Shadow Hills. We’ll make it work. But before I give you the full list, I need a specific promise.”
My heart clenches, palms sweating already.
“You’re nervous,” she says, watching me closely. Her eyes narrow.
My heart pounds faster. “I’m worried about making too firm of a promise not to tell Jarron,” I admit. “I don’t have any intentions of hurting you, I swear, but I worry about my own well-being too.”
She leans back in her chair, arms crossed, and just watches me for what feels like several minutes. “I want this to work,” she says softly, “so badly. I’m desperate for things to go back. I don’t want to side with the council. I don’t want to side with the rebellion. But if I can’t make this deal with you, that’s my only choice.”
I wince.
“I want you to swear that you will not do anything that will cause me harm, including telling Jarron about our deal or my portal into the school, until I give you permission.”
I think through this wording. It’s possible my plan with Janet and Lola will work, but there’s risk.
“What happens if you’re incapacitated or you betray me? I don’t see how a promise like that is fair for me.”
She narrows her eyes. “Did you have something else in mind?”
“Personally? I want you to trust me without magic.”
Her expression falls. I’ve never seen her look so unarmed. It’s not fear, exactly. More like a mix of vulnerability and surprise. It’s raw and real.
Tension slips from her shoulders. Almost like she’s given up.
“I’m scared,” she admits.
“Me too,” I say. “No matter what, this agreement puts us both at risk. We have to trust each other. We could make magical agreements and vows up and down all day, but it will not give us complete protection. Nothing will.”
Tears well in Bea’s eyes, and for the first time, I feel like I’m really seeing her. Demon or not, she is a young girl who’s scared.
“I’m willing to trust you without any magical reassurance,” I tell her softly.
She presses her palm over her lips, eyes unfocused. I let her sit with this new energy between us. I allow her the time she needs for my words to settle.
