Page 118 of Fallen Court

Surprise punched me in the gut. “Who else can do it? You? When will you find the time to smoke opium with your vampire friends?”

Cate moved between us, her arms stretched wide, index fingers pointed in warning. “Not the time.”

Ciara wiped her mouth on the back of her arm, her other clutching her stomach. Roark placed a steadying hand on her back. It was a testament to how fucked up this situation was that she didn’t object. I couldn’t shield her from the ugly truth stalking our city any longer. She deserved to know the danger we all faced if I remained within the boundaries of the bona fides spell.

I turned to Shaw, keeping my voice low. “Take Cate to the Otherworld.”

Her head whipped toward me, eyes flashing with indignation. “I’m not going to the Otherworld without you.”

“You would be safe there. No one could touch you.”

“I’m safe here!”

I didn’t have the energy to fight her on this, even though I needed her there. Where she would be safest. “Just take her to the Avalon, then. I already sent Channing.”

But Cate shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Desperation sharpened my tone. “For once in your life, Cate, will you please just listen to me!”

She flinched as if I’d struck her, hurt and anger flickering in her eyes. Turning, she strode away.

Shaw shook his head. “You won’t stop until we all hate you, will you?”

“I’m doing what has to be done.” I didn’t expect him to understand. I didn’t expect any of them to understand. My time was nearly up. Ugly goodbyes would make it less painful for them.

“Keep telling yourself that.”

I tipped my head in the direction of my mate. “Get her out of here.”

He stalked after her, muttering more curses.

“Was that necessary?” Roark asked quietly once Shaw had faded into the distance.

“Let him hate me.” I scrubbed a hand over my face, already regretting my harshness. But I couldn’t take the risk. Not with her. Not with any of them.

“What is this, Lachlan?” Ciara interjected before Roark could lecture me. Her normally lilting voice trembled with barely suppressed fear as she gestured at Étienne’s body. “Who would do something so vile?”

Roark stepped forward, not bothering to look at me. “Ciara, there’s something you need to know. This isn’t the first—”

“Isn’t the first what?” An icy voice cut through the night like a whip crack.

I turned as Baptiste emerged from the shadows. Her eyes flickered to the gates and froze there. Her mouth fell open, horror and grief and shock warring for residence on her face.

For a moment, no one moved. The weight of her anguish hit me like a blow to the chest. Étienne had been like a father to her. I’d never asked, but he might have been the one who turned her. We had a history of our own, which meant that we hated and respected each other. I stepped toward her. “Baptiste, we should—”

Her gaze cut to mine, eyes burning with unshed tears and a rage that sent a chill down my spine. “Did you do this?” she demanded, her voice rising to a near shout. “Did you murder him, Nether Prince?”

I winced at the accusation, the venom in her voice unmistakable. Grabbing her arm, I pulled her away from the few stragglers who had yet to be cleared. “Baptiste, listen to me—”

She wrenched her arm free. “I will not listen to more lies. I can smell the deceit on you.” Her voice dropped to a hiss, fangs glinting in the moonlight. “Tell me the truth. Now.”

Failure pressed down on me. “It’s not just Étienne,” I admitted, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. “A witch is dead. And a human. I didn’t—”

“And you didn’t think to warn us?” A new emotion cleared the others from her face: betrayal. “There’s a killer in New Orleans, and you kept it hidden?” She paced toward the body, her eyes narrowing as she spotted the memento mori carved into his neck. “And how do you explain this? His blood is on your hands, Lachlan.”

The truth of her words was undeniable.

She retreated, shaking her head. “If you can’t find this killer, then I will.” Her eyes met mine: a promise and a threat. “And if I discover you had anything to do with this, not even your crown will save you.”