“That’s only because I’ve sent them to you.” So Donn thought he was forcing our hand, but he wasn’t.
“So keep sending them, and we’ll keep ferrying them.” It was a good compromise.
“And have Hollowbrook covered with ghosts? What sort of solution to the problem is that? The better solution is not to have beloveds.” Right. Because Donn didn’t have to think about how much he’d hurt Cael. Way to avoid feelings. What a dickhead.
Sylvie put her arm around Eleanor, drawing her close. “That’s where we differ, young man. If by beloved you mean a significant other, then I disagree. My wife is the most precious person in the world, and you will never tell me any different. I couldn’t live without her.”
Eleanor patted Sylvie’s cheek. “Thank you, dear. I love you, too.”
Donn shook his head. “I understand, ma’am. There are things at play that you do not understand.”
“Do you? Understand, that is,” she asked. “I have my doubts. If you had a beloved, you would feel differently.”
I smirked. Having the ladies on my side was very helpful. What I loved most was her calling Donn a young man. She still didn’t know Donn was a god. “Donn is the beloved, aren’t you, Donn?”
Nothing would keep me from Phin. Even if it meant saving the world.
“Where’s Phin?” I demanded.
“Wherever he is, I did nothing to put him there.” Donn’s smirk told me he knew exactly where Phin was.
“Give me my beloved.” I grabbed his shirt and shoved him against the shop window.
Donn smiled in that way that suggested he was five seconds away from doing something to me. I should let him go and run for my life. “Do you think you can hurt a god?”
Then Cael walked in, and Donn’s face went white. “Let him go, Ossy.”
I held up my hands as I stepped back. I didn’t want to hurt anyone, least of all Cael’s beloved. Beloveds came first, even if they were asshole gods.
Grym and Francis were with Cael. Morgana entered behind them. She wore a cloak. Her presence comforted me, easing the fear gripping my gut. She was the first to scan the area. When she didn’t find what she was looking for, obviously Phin and Hale, she scowled.
Donn darted his gaze to Cael, who stood slightly ahead of him in a protective gesture. Cael cupped Donn’s cheek. “Tell them where you put Phin, love.”
Donn moved into Cael’s touch. “I didn’t put him anywhere. He disappeared. My guess would be the Between.”
I scowled because Phin didn’t know how to reap souls. So why was he there? “What happened?”
“I was getting ready to take Cameron. Phin stepped in the way and took the witch from me. For an assistant, he is very protective. He took the witches to the Between before I could send them to Tech Duinn.”
“Look at me, love.” When Cael spoke, Donn’s gaze snapped to him.
“Don’t send anyone else to Tech Duinn. Promise me.”
Donn sighed again. “I hate it when you call me love.”
Cael smiled. “No, you don’t.”
Donn rolled his eyes, but he melted a little. “No, I don’t. But you annoy me. You all annoy me, actually. All the reapers do.”
Cael smiled. “Do the right thing.”
“Fine. I promise.” Donn smirked as he met my gaze. “I won’t send anyone to Tech Duinn until they’re out of the Between.”
Shit.That meant it was a race to get to Phin first.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Phin
