I glanced down at the vase and tightened my grip. “You don’t know that.”
“I do,” he said without turning around. “There’s nothing in these halls that would harm you. At least not withoutmypermission.”
“Wow. Comforting,” I shot back, but he didn’t respond. Apparently, sarcasm didn’t register with him. Or he didn’t care.Ugh.
The estate—or whatever this place was—was a labyrinth of arched hallways, wrought iron sconces, and heavy oak doors. Every few steps, I caught glimpses of strange rooms through half-open doors: one filled with jars of herbs and bones, another with stacks of ancient books piled precariously on every surface, and yet another that smelled faintly of salt and incense.
The air here was thick, almost alive, and I couldn’t tell if it was oppressive or protective. This place was nothing like home.Yes, New Orleans was rich in its history and culture but I had expected something different than this. It was cold and dark. I wasn’t entirely sure I was on the right side of this war.
Rune stopped abruptly and I nearly walked into his back. He turned, his piercing gaze landing on the vase still clutched in my hands.
“Put it down,” he said flatly.
I lifted my chin and tightened my grip around the vase. “I don’t think I will.”
His lips twitched, but it wasn’t quite a smile. “Suit yourself.”
Before I could come up with a biting retort, he pushed open a set of double doors and stepped into what could only be described as a war room.
The room was vast, with walls covered in maps, sigils, and intricate drawings of what I assumed were spells. A massive round table dominated the center, its surface carved with runes that seemed to shimmer faintly in the dim light. Several people were gathered around it, their conversations hushed but urgent. They all turned as we entered, their eyes scanning me with varying degrees of curiosity and skepticism.
“Your guest, Rune?” a tall woman with striking silver braids and dark umber skin asked. Her voice was smooth but carried an edge that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
“She’s the West Coast’s offering,” Rune said, gesturing toward me like I was a piece of furniture he’d just hauled in. “Maple.”
The woman’s lips curled up with amusement. “Cute.”
I blinked, heat rushing to my cheeks. “I’m a person, not an object, you know.”
“This little thing is supposed to save our people? Save our coven? She doesn’t look like she’s all-powerful,” a gruff voice cut in. A burly man with a jagged scar across his cheek stepped forward, his arms crossed.
Uh oh. What was I supposed to say to that? I didn’t have any magic and I didn’t know how I was going to change the tide of whatever war they had happening here. It couldn’t be that bad considering I’d never heard of it until I left from my own comfort.
I stepped forward ready to spear the man with my words when I forgot I was still holding the cat vase and in my pajamas no less. My slippered foot slid across the floor and the cat vase went flying out of my hands. I watched in horror as it flew through the air.
“For ancestors’ sake,” Rune shouted before he leaped forward to catch it.
My mouth hung open until the burly man spoke again, “I rest my case.”
Rune straightened, the decorative cat vase cradled securely in his hands and shot me a glare so sharp it could’ve cut glass. “Are you always this dangerous, or is it just tonight?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Between the slippery slippers, my mortifying pajamas, and the fact that I’d just hurled a ceramic feline at the most intimidating people I’d ever met, I had nothing.Absolutely nothing.
“Well?” Rune prompted, his light eyes narrowed. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
“I… uh…” I cleared my throat, willing myself to find some dignity. “The floor’s really slippery.”
The burly man snorted, crossing his arms as his scarred face twisted into a smirk. “Yeah, we’re doomed.”
Rune’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might actually throw the vase back at me. Instead, he turned and placed it carefully on a nearby table, muttering something under his breath that I was pretty sure was not a compliment.
The tall woman with the silver braids, however, looked downright delighted. “Oh, I like her,” she said, her voice dripping with amusement. “She’s entertaining.”
Rune shot her a look. “This isn’t entertainment, Adelle.”
“Oh, lighten up,” Adelle replied with a wave of her hand. “She’s obviously nervous. Let’s not make this harder than it needs to be.”
“Nervous? I’m not nervous,” I blurted and then immediately regretted it when all eyes turned back to me. My cheeks burned. “Okay, maybe a little.”
