Page 58 of Fallen Court

I held up a hand before she ran out of the damn building. “Don’t freak out. Nothing’s wrong.”

“You wouldn’t have to tell me not to freak out if everything was okay.” She crossed her arms as her chest began to heave. “Out with it.”

“He’s keeping an eye on Channing.”

“Channing?” His name came out strangled. “But Oberon said…”

“Let me guess. Oberon lied to you about your brother?” Fiona said with a snort of disdain.

Cate’s face crumpled, and I resisted the urge to rip Fiona’s head off.

I was at Cate’s side instantly, lifting her chin. “Oberon lies,” I whispered. “Channing is okay now.”

“But why is he in the hospital?” The hitch in her voice broke my heart.

“He was shot.”

She swallowed hard as she digested this news. “Again?”

“Yeah. He was in a coma, but he’s awake now.”

Her eyes narrowed on me. “Why do I feel like there’s more to this story?”

Definitely should have told her this before. Now I had an audience for my inevitable evisceration.

“I might’ve had to use vampire blood to wake him up,” I confessed. Cate squawked, but I hurried on. “He was the only one who knew where you were. I did what I had to do.”

Her lower lip trembled. “Will he be a vampire now?”

I exhaled hard. I deserved worse than a reasonable question.

“You have to die with vampire blood in your system. It’s actually pretty hard to do, since vampire blood has healing properties.”

“And you’re sure?” she pressed.

I kissed her forehead. “Positive. You can visit him as soon as possible—”

“Now.” She pulled free from me and turned to Ciara. “Will you take me?”

So, being reasonable might not be the same as being forgiving.

“Of course.” Ciara jumped at the chance, undoubtedly to get out of the meeting with the covens.

I stopped myself from telling her she couldn’t. If Cate wanted her there instead of me, I would respect it. But I wouldn’t like it.

Cate didn’t bother to look at me as she stormed out of the room.

Ciara stood to follow, giving me a smug smile. “I think you’re in trouble.”

“No shit,” I muttered. “Just keep an eye on her.”

She nodded before hurrying after Cate.

Silence fell over the room. Fiona finally broke it. “Wow. She really loves you,” she said dryly. “I can see why you threw your life away, at least.”

“Fi!” Romy grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the chair. “Let’s go pack and have that talk about not saying everything we’re thinking out loud—again.”

I stared at the door as they left. Crystal clinked behind me, and a second later, Roark passed me a glass of whiskey.