When Kaylia looked at her, Cole growled as hestepped between them. It didn’t dissuade Kaylia from speaking toher.
“The stone reacted to you in such a waybecause it is anarachpossession, and it recognizedyouas its rightful owner. Unfortunately, the curse stillhad some effect on you, but the stone protected you from the fullbrunt of it, so you didn’t die. ThenIremoved the cursefrom the stone so Sahira, this vamp—” Her lip curled in disgust asshe jerked her head toward Brokk. “—and you wouldn’t die.”
Kaylia’s gaze shifted back to Cole. “You’rewelcome.”
“Thank you,” Lexi breathed.
“Finally, someone with some manners. You’rewelcome,” Kaylia replied with a tight-lipped smile that was farfrom warm.
“I’m Brokk,notvamp,” Brokk said toher. “And maybe you should show some manners considering I’mstanding between you and my brother who wantsyoudead.”
Kaylia glared at him but didn’t respondbefore turning her attention haughtily away. Cole was beginning tolike her less and less.Noone treated his little brotherlike that.
“You’re not going to leave here knowing whatyou do about her,” Cole told her.
“Isaved her life.”
“And you could destroy it by revealing whatyou’ve discovered.”
“I aligned myself and the rest of the croneswith you and your cause when I gave Sahira the harrow stone. Thereis no turning back for them or me.”
“That was before you knew about Lexi,” hereminded her.
Sahira and Varo appeared in the hallway.Sahira held a tray of cheese and apple slices while Varo carriedone filled with glasses and two decanters. One decanter had areddish liquid, while the other contained an amber one.
They couldn’t see into the library whereKaylia and the others stood, but Cole’s stance and Lexi’s uneasyglance told them things weren’t good. Sahira set her tray on one ofthe stairs, and Varo did the same before coming closer. They stayedto the side of Cole but positioned themselves so they could seeinto the library.
Lexi rested her hand on his arm and steppedout from behind him. “Thank you for everything you’ve done,including letting us use the stone,” she said.
“Don’t thank her; she’s a danger to you,”Cole said.
“No, I’m not,” Kaylia replied as she focusedon Lexi. “Not only did I save your life, but when I gave you andyour friends the harrow stone, I put my own life, and the lives ofthose I love, at risk. I’m not going to turn you over to the Lord;he’ll kill me once he learns of my role in this.”
“She’s clearly not the enemy,” Lexi said.
Orin groaned and dropped his head into hishand. “Save me from the ones with hearts and scruples.”
“Oh, shut up!” Lexi snapped. “She’s helped usmultiple times.”
“Yes, please shut up,” Del said. “You’re nothelping the problem.”
“She cannot leave here with the knowledge ofwhat you are,” Cole said. “None of the other crones know of yourheritage, and it has to stay that way.”
“I wouldn’t tell them,” Kaylia replied. “Notuntil you’re prepared for the war her existence will bring, oruntil you give me permission to do so. With her abilities—”
“Whataremy abilities?” Lexiinterrupted.
“How do you not know?” Kaylia blurted.
“Lexi,” Cole warned. “We can’t trusther.”
“But I do.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Orin muttered.
“I trust her too,” Varo murmured in hissoothing way that took a small edge off Cole’s distrust.
“Oh, goodie,” Orin said. “Now we havetwoof you with scruples. We’re never going to win thiswar.”
