When I opened my eyes, I was pinned to the kitchen floor back at the lodge, Darius and Emilio trying to steady my thrashing limbs.
“She’s awake,” Emilio said. “She’s okay. Gray? Gray, can you hear me?”
I nodded, blinking away my confusion and trying to sit up.
“That’s it, love,” Darius said, helping me up. “Nice and easy.”
My sisters were standing in front of us, still inside the salt circle that I’d managed to break through, taking several candles down with me.
“What happened?” I asked. “How did we get out?”
“We didn’tgetout,” Haley said. “Someone pushed us.”
“Georgie,” I said, adamant. “She knew we were there. I’m telling you, she could hear me. She knew we needed a timeline. That’s why she asked. She pushed us out to protect us.”
“Let’s hope it was her. Because if Trinity or any of the others knew we were in there, then everything we’ve just seen is useless, and they’re going to double their efforts to shield themselves now.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I know I shouldn’t have blown up like that. I just… I saw Georgie bleeding, and thenallI saw was red. I wanted to claw that bitch’s eyes out.”
“Your protective instincts are strong, Gray,” Darius said. “That’s not something to apologize for.”
“No, it isn’t.” Haley offered a smile, but it quickly melted, and she knelt down to blow out the remaining candles. “It wouldn’t have done any good, though. We were there on the astral. Georgie might’ve sensed us—I’ll give you that. But that’s about it.”
“Only itisn’tit. Not by a long shot.” I held out my hand, unfurling my fist to reveal a chunk of Trinity’s dark hair.
Twenty
GRAY
In so many ways, it felt as if an entire year had passed since I last stood in the common room to rally the witches for a battle they never should’ve had to fight.
An entire year since I’d asked them for their support against an enemy bent on our complete annihilation.
An entire year since they’d given it freely.
In truth, it had been less than two weeks.
And now, the night after Haley’s blood spell had given us a glimpse into the darkest corners of our enemies’ minds, I found myself standing in the same spot at the front of the same room, looking out at a familiar sight.
The crowd was larger now—including the new friends and allies we’d rescued from the crypt and several more Raven’s Cape area witches Verona and her people had rallied to the cause—but everything else about this moment felt exactly the same.
A room full of friends and allies gathered before the fireplace, some huddled on the couches, others standing near the fire, all of us trying to find a moment’s warmth in an otherwise inescapable winter.
The men I loved, wordlessly sending me their unwavering support. My sisters standing by my side.
And in my shirt pocket, close to my heart, the objects I’d taken to carrying as gentle reminders of those who’d gone before me—those who were with me still: the Page of Cups card for Sophie, the High Priestess for Calla, and the granite heart Liam had given me, carved with the raven’s feather that would always remind me of Death, my teacher, my guide.
Borrowing their strength, I steadied myself for the task ahead.
The fire popped, and a heavy silence descended on the room.
It was time.
“We have some news about our enemies in the Bay,” I began. “Before we get into specifics, let’s just rip off the Band-Aid.” I paced in front of them, trying to meet each and every person eye-to-eye. I wanted them to know we were in this together, no matter what. “Ten nights from tonight, whether we’re ready or not, we are going to war.”
A murmur rippled through the group, the tension in the room rising. I could feel the spike of their heart rates, smell the hit of adrenaline that flooded their bloodstreams as soon as I’d said the words.
But the sharp, pungent scent of fear? Completely absent. Two weeks ago, a month ago, three months ago, we had no idea what was coming for us, and that fear of the unknown was enough to drive a person mad.
