Cally winced. “I don’t know. That’s a big step. What if they don’t believe us? Shit, what if Priya tries to go back to the club?”
“After the experience she had, I think Priyawillbelieve us,” Eve said with confidence. “Zara will, too. She’d love a bit of reflected glory. No, it’s Lily I’m worried about. I don’t think she has the…” Eve flapped her hand as she sought the word.
“Maturity?”
“Harsh but fair. Next coven meeting is Saturday. I think we should tell them then.”
“That’s six days.” Cally bit at her lip. Too long to wait with Antoine in agony every passing minute. “Today is Sunday, right?”
“All day.”
“Yeah, well, you try and keep track of the days when they all blend into the nights and you have to fight your way out of a nightclub, survive a car crash, see one of your best friends killed right before you, get kidnapped, and”—sleep with a vampire—“then your partner gets entombed, all in the space of forty-eight hours.”
“One helluva weekend.” Eve said dryly. “I bet you’re fun on those Monday team stand-up calls.”
“Don’t have them, fortunately. Still, I’m not sure about this.” Cally turned away, hugging herself. “I should talk to Antoine before I tell anyone about the bond.”
“It’s your decision, babe. There’s no rush, is there?”
Except there was.How long did she have before her power consumed her? Not knowing was the worst part.
“Maybe Gabe has a book or two that would offer something you’ve not seen yet.” Cally’s eyes darted to the bookshelves in hope. “Hell, maybe Antoine does.”
“He’d have told you, wouldn’t he?”
“Yeah.” Hope faded. “He told me he’d help with my powers, and if he had a book, he’d have mentioned it.”
Eve looked dubious. “I don’t think the vampires will have books on witch magic.”
Belle might.But getting to it would be harder than liberating Alvin from WHOI—especially when they couldn’t ask for Gabe’s help without him knowing why.He wouldn’t help anyway, not against a Curia member.
“I bet there’s more stuff in Europe,” Cally mused. “But we don’t have time to go there, or any idea where to search.”
Eve’s phone buzzed in her jeans pocket and she pulled it out, flicking it open. “Oh, more info from Ryan.” She skimmed the message. “Yay. He’s secured a plasma cutter. That sorts this year’s Christmas present.”
“You’re never serious, are you?”
“Babe, it’s tough to be serious when you’re aiding and abetting a heist of multi-million-dollar equipment from a secure facility of interest to the United States military.”
“Some might argue—”
Eve gasped. “I’ve just remembered. There was an occult bookshop I meant to try, and I haven’t got around to it. Want to come?”
“Sure,” Cally said, resigned. “Until the plan’s in place, I’ve nothing but free time.”
Five
“Don’t bring her again.”
“What?”Noah’s mind-voice conveyed his emotions without a filter, his surprise sharp and genuine.“Why not?”
Yes, why not, Antoine?
Talking to Cally, even through Noah, was his only respite. Why was he pushing her away?
Pain blurred his focus and stole his words.
He closed his eyes and fought for control.“I’ll be feral in… days. I don’t want her seeing me—talkingto me—like that.”She neither sees nor talks to you, you damn fool.It was so hard to concentrate, and Noah would pick up on his sentiment just like Antoine picked up on his.“Just keep her away.”
