Page 65 of The Witch’s Daughter

Vincent sat across from me. “So… Tisiphone. What do you know of your namesake?”

I wasn’t even aware he knew my name, and hearing someone besides Jaxon or my mom use it made me cringe internally. But I didn’t want to offend him. “It’s Greek.” I shrugged.

“Is that all?” He looked disappointed as he leaned back against the chair.

If he’d spent any amount of time around wolf shifters then he’d know of our various mythological histories. I didn’t see why he wouldn’t, but maybe he hadn’t heard of ours.

“Legend has it that Cerberus Pack descended from the canid mythos of Cerberus, Hades’s three headed beast that guarded the underworld,” I explained. “It’s a story of Ancient Greek origin. Like most packs, many of our given names have roots there. My parents took inspiration from the mythos of the Furies to name me.”

I didn’t mention my sisters because I didn’t trust him at all and I’d protect Alec and Meg with my dying breath.

“You do know your history.” Vincent nodded approvingly. “But I have to wonder, if you’re knowledgeable in the old gods, why do you not worship them?”

“Come again?” I blinked, not sure I heard him right. Then I remembered I was supposed to be playing innocent and naive. “We do pray to the gods. Everyone does. And we celebrate the moon cycles. Give tribute to the earth…”

Vincent waved his hand in the air as if dismissing that all as foolish. “That’s a perversion of what it means to worship. Don’t worry, we’ll forgive you here.”

I told you this was a cult.

“Sarah.” Vincent smiled up at the witch as she approached with two plates. “Our new guest here should be made to feel welcome, don’t you think?”

What’s that supposed to mean?

“Yes, Vincent,” Sarah said eagerly. “What did you have in mind?”

“Ready the guest lodging and have someone retrieve her belongings from her tent,” Vincent said despite my gasp of outrage.

“That’s really not necessary,” I said, getting ready to unleash my claws if I had to.

“Nonsense.” Vincent turned back to me and flashed that charming smile. “You said it yourself, your magic has just returned. We can help you with that here. We’ve got everything you need. I’m building more than just an army, and I think someone as inquisitive as you will enjoy learning about our cause.”

Sarah set the plates on the table before us. Roasted chicken and fresh-baked bread filled my nostrils, and I swallowed down the sound of my wolf’s growl.

“You’ll love it here,” Sarah said before she slipped away.

I didn’t let my eyes betray my shock at seeing the bandages on her wrists, and I tried not to notice how she ran from the tent without touching her own plate, while Vincent’s words rang in my ears.

Kera will want to know more.

I’ll say it again. This is a mistake.

“She’s right, you know.” Vincent picked up a drumstick and studied it before noticing the confused look on my face. “Sarah. She’s right. This is where all the powerful witches belong.”

“Am I a prisoner here?” I joked, keeping my voice sugary sweet as I discreetly sniffed for poison in the meat and found none.

“Of course not.” He grinned. It didn’t quite reach his cold blue eyes. “But I do plan to make it so that you never want to leave.”

24

Jaxon

“Wake up, Alpha.”

Rustling came from outside my tent.

My wolf was already up and on high alert. It’s Tisiphone. She needs us.

No. She doesn’t.