Rapidly.
Several cups of wine sit on the table, probably poured by Benny. I could do with a sizeable glass myself, but I need to be clear-headed for this. And I need to do this now.
‘So this is all very cloak and dagger,’ Benny says drolly as I walk in. ‘You want to tell us what’s going on, Rose?’
I rub my hands on the seat of my trousers, trying to dry the sweat that slicks my palms. Trying to find the words to start.
‘You know that I trust you guys with my life …’ It feels like as good a place as any to start, and I make sure I look each of them in the eye as I talk. ‘I wouldn’t be here without you – or without Llin,’ I add to Caz. ‘But what I have to share now, it’s not about trusting you with my life. It’s about trusting you with something infinitely more precious, and I can’t risk anyone outside this house ever knowing what I’m about to tell you.’
I watch as Benny and Caz exchange a worried look.
‘Is this about what you told me before?’ she asks.
‘Partly, but not completely. This is even more … treasonous.’
Three sets of eyes widen, particularly Caz’s. And I get it. After all, what’s more treasonous than having the blood of our enemies flowing in my veins?
Having a brother who was supposed to be killed by order of the king. That’s what.
‘If you want to leave now, then please do,’ I continue. ‘I will understand completely, and it will make no difference to how much I love and respect every one of?—’
‘I’m in.’ Ruben’s answer comes before I can finish, and I can’t help but smile as my eyes meet his. ‘Whatever you need, Rosey, I’m in.’
‘Thank you,’ I whisper. ‘But you should know that what I’m going to request of you is very serious. I’m going to ask each of you to join me in a blood vow, and I don’t know what the effects will be if you break it.’
‘Good job I don’t spill secrets,’ Benny says simply. ‘Like Ruben said, I’m in. I wouldn’t be here without you. That’s not something I’ll forget. Ever.’
My heart swells with love for these two men. Would I have answered so quickly to help them, not knowing what it was they were going to share with me? I’d like to think the answer was yes, but I can’t say for sure.
With their two answers given, I look to Caz.
‘There’s no pressure here,’ I tell her. ‘If you want to walk away, then you can absolutely go, but I had to ask you here. I had to give you the choice.’
‘For Llin?’ she asks, causing a tug behind my sternum.
‘For you, as my friend,’ I say, holding her gaze fixedly. Llin mayhave been the past that brought us together, but any future friendship we have will be built on bricks we forge together.
‘Well,’ Caz says slowly, ‘as your friend then, I’m with these guys. I’m in. Now, what do you need?’
‘Oh, not much,’ I say, trying to ignore the prickling that raises the hairs on the back of my neck. ‘But it’s going to start with a little spilled blood.’
We leavethe dining room half an hour later, all a little paler.
‘Is it me, or do you feel different?’ Ruben asks quietly. ‘Like you can feel the extra magic in you?’
‘It’s not finished yet,’ Benny reminds him. ‘Rose still has to do the final part. I expect the sensation will settle after that.’
‘I’m just grateful I wasn’t given healing magic,’ Caz comments, carrying two glasses of wine with her and taking a hefty gulp from one of them. ‘There’s no way I could deal with seeing blood every day.’
I’m grateful for the way they’re trying to act like this is all normal. Trying to make out that what I just asked of them is entirely reasonable in the realm of friendship. I’m also aware that now that the blood’s been prepared, I have to do the final part to seal the vow, and that includes telling them the secret they will never, ever be able to share.
When I reach the door to the kitchen, I push it open with my hip, my hands full with the small glass dish that holds my friends’ blood, which flashes with a sheen of magic that sits like an oil slick on water.
Jonas and William jump to their feet while Kay remains seated, as if this is all just a load of unnecessary fuss.
‘It’s done?’ Jonas questions as his eyes scan the group. ‘All of them?’
‘All of them,’ I reply, flashing my friends a smile as Benny heads over to the counter and grabs another bottle of wine. ‘And it’s almost done. Just the final bit to go.’
