Faigh an caillteanach, tabhair chugam aréir.
Fwee un KYLE-chuh-nukh, TOH-ur cough-gum ah-RAYR
“Looks good.”
“What does it mean?”
“Uh, roughly, ‘ring of magic, clear to see, find the lost one and bring it to me.’ You learn it, I’ll get coffees.”
Cally focused on the page, muttering to herself, and Eve seemed to be back before she was even halfway through. “Thanks,” she said, accepting a cup.
“How’s it going?”
“This stuff sounds Elvish. I think I’m ready to flirt with Legolas.”
Eve grinned, then leaned past her to snap a picture with her phone. “I’ll sit over here, staring at your ass… I mean, learning it myself.”
“Stare away,” Cally said, and went back to studying the text.
The time passed in silence, and she tried to concentrate, knowing what was at stake. This wasn’t even the spell the Order wanted, let alone all the ways this might not work. A long hill to climb, with only five days.
What would happen if she turned up on Friday morning and couldn’t deliver? How would Darian react?
Hell, the Order were so secretive, they might decide she was a liability. Eve too, for that matter.
Cally checked on her friend. Eve was focused on her phone, but sensed her gaze and looked up with a smile. Cally turned back to her text, her heart flipping. She loved Eve so much—just not in the way she wanted. If the Order touched a single hair on her head… she’d burn them down.
I have to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“Promise me you won’t go home again,” Cally said.
“I can’t live here forever, babe.”
“You can. I spoke to Antoine. He’s happy for you to—”
“Sweetheart,” Eve said softly, “Ican’t. I’m really,reallyhappy for you and Antoine. But I’m sorry, Ican’tstay here forever, watching the two of…” She swallowed hard.
“I’m so sorry.” Cally blinked back tears that threatened to spill. “I’ve ruined your life. I’ve taken away everything that matters to you. And now I’m—”
“No, no. We’ve been over this. I’m here by choice, remember? It’s vampires and witch magic that has brought us to this point, remember? It’s not your fault. It’s notmyfault.”
“I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” Eve smiled gently. “Always have, always will.”
“You’re going to make me cry.”
“Does crying mean hugs?”
“Hell, yes.”
Cally pushed herself up off the bed, but Eve was out of her chair faster. They met at the edge of the bed, Cally still seated, and Eve was short enough to cradle her head against her chest. “We’ll get through this together,” she whispered.
“Promise?” Cally asked.
“Affirmative. Ten-four. Hundred percent, babe.”
“I couldn’t do this without you.”
