“Speak quickly. I don’t want to miss the show,” Aubert says to Sandra.
“Let them go,” I growl. “I fucking mean it, you piece of shit.”
Aubert has the nerve to look over at me like he’s bored.
I’m going to gut him and leave him for the rats to eat.
Fabien catches my eye. He’s moving his arm like he’s trying to scratch the inside of his elbow. It takes me a moment to catch on. As much as I hate it, maybe it’s a good thing he’s here.
When Aubert turns his back to me, I give Fabien the slightest nod of my head.
“I’ve read some of your notes. This is fascinating stuff,” Sandra says to Fabien. “I also appreciate all the things you've collected about the curse. This really is interesting. I’m surprised at how well the curse took, considering the magic used didn’t actually have a witch to do it. I mean, maybe he had someone plant the seed of how it should be done,” her face holds a smile that’s all too telling of how she was the one to do just that, “but as far as I know, no witch was used. And the symbol…” Her mouth tips into a wide, evil smile. “I really do think death is coming for them.”
“You’re the one who broke into my office?” Fabien sounds like he’s holding back anger. I wish I knew what was going through his head. “That stuff is… not for you.”
“Take the offer, Fabien,” Sandra says as she moves to stand in front of him. “Come join me. Help me build this new coven. A new age for us and the craft. A new set of rules to live by.”
There’s no way Fabien will fall for that shit. There’s no way he will want to be a part of something so dark. Something that goes against everything he believes in.
Fabien stays quiet.
As time ticks on, I start to worry, even though I fucking know better.
He’s sitting in the chair, looking at his hands in his lap.
Is he actually considering it?
Astra looks nervously at me, but I have no way to reassure her that it will be okay. The thought of Torrin dying in that alleyway is like a stab to my heart. And here I am, unableto protect Fabien. I’ve let my best friend—my damn brother—down again tonight.
“Fabien?” Astra says his name with so many emotions rolled into it. But he won’t look up. “Fabien, look at me. Don’t do this. Please. If I ask one thing of you, don’t do this.”
“You’ve already started it?” Fabien asks Sandra, but his tone says he already knows the answer. “You’ve made this coven? It’s yours?”
“Well, yes. There aren’t many of us, but I assure you, we’re strong.” The way Sandra is talking down to him gets under my skin. I’m ready to tear out of my bindings and end her. “I’m very picky about who I choose to invite. You should feel special, Fabien.”
It sinks in a split second before Fabien cuts his eyes to me.
Well, fuck.
I look over at my beautiful Astra. My love. The woman I am fucking determined to spend the rest of my life with, and I’m hell-bent to make sure it’s going to be a long one.
I came here to kill Aubert with the hope it would end the curse. If I sever the tie of the one who put it on her, maybe it would end. Fabien had been sure of it when he came to me earlier. So sure that he encouraged me to go for it. To kill the man who can’t be killed. Which, yes, I know I have to get around that part first.
But now, I don’thaveto.
I don’t need Aubert to save our lives.
All I need is a coven elder, and they just presented one on a silver platter to me. Because if Sandra started her own coven, it would automatically make her an elder.
It’s so fucking hard not to smile.
Astra cries out in pain. I see her body collapsing, but my arms are tied behind my back, and I can’t fucking catch her. Still,I try anyway. If anything, I can at least cushion her fall with my body.
I’m taken out the moment I move.
And now we’re both on the dirty concrete floor.
“Astra,” I whisper as I feel my chest beginning to burn.
