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“Non, cherie! Non.” He started rattling off in French. Meredith’s family and Shannon started arguing, too. I closed my eyes as I tried to figure out what I was doing. For the first time in twenty-four hours, the weight lifted. This was the right thing. I needed to go back to La Aquelarre. But this time, I wanted back-up.
“Aaaand,” I said talking over everyone, “I’d like you to come with me, Dastien.”
His eyes turned from amber to golden. “That’s a terrible idea. You think things can’t get worse but they will if we show up on the coven’s land together.”
Manipulating him was wrong, but my options were limited. “Then I’ll go alone.”
“The hell you will.” His voice was nearly full-growl as he shook my shoulders.
“Just hear me out.”
“You have about thirty seconds before I lock you in the feral cages.”
What? The guy had lost his mind if he was threatening me with the cages. They were below the gym, and made of concrete and steel. It was a place where they put wolves when they were out of control.
But he was seriously threatening to lock me up? “I don’t think I can live with myself if I don’t go and try to work something out, but I’m in a little over my head.” I took a calming breath, and hoped Dastien would listen to reason. “You’re right. I shouldn’t trust Luciana. She’s not a good person, but maybe we can reach a compromise. I’d be happy to go there a couple of days a week to learn their ways or whatever, if they agree to undo the curse on Meredith. It’d be good stuff to learn anyway. And maybe I can find someone to take over the coven in my place. Help me make a fair bargain with her.”
“It’s dangerous. Luciana’s already proven she’s willing to curse you, too,” Dastien said.
Meredith’s mother gasped. Her curls bounced as she turned to me. “If they did it once, they could do it again.”
“They only cursed me to make me go back.” I sighed. “I get everyone’s concern, but I can do this. I did my best using what I know about witchcraft and I failed. This is the only other option. Meredith’s dying.”
My voice cracked and I paused. They had to agree with me. Losing my cool wasn’t going to help me argue my point. “They’re not going to hurt me when I’m what they want in the end. If I bring anyone, Luciana might try something, but she can’t do much to Dastien. He’s too powerful and too high up in the pack. And he’s my mate. They know they can’t touch Dastien if they have any chance of keeping me around.” I gripped his hand. “If I can get them to agree to one or two days a week on coven land, then that’s a small price to pay for Meredith’s life.”
Meredith’s shortest brother cleared his throat. He didn’t look much older than us. “I think she’s got a point. They’re not going to hurt her. And if she’s willing to take the risk to save our sister, we shouldn’t turn her down.” He met my gaze. “We all want Meredith alive and healthy.”
I nodded. “I’m willing to give it a try, but I need Dastien.”
When I looked at him, Dastien closed his eyes and when they opened again, they were still glowing gold. “Okay. We can go, but at the first sign of trouble, we’re getting the hell out of there. And I get to say what you agree to. If I don’t like it, we leave.”
I usually wouldn’t let him be the boss, but I was too afraid of agreeing to something I shouldn’t. I was desperate, and they’d know that. It was really easy to take advantage of the hopeless. “Deal.”
He rested his forehead against mine. “For the record, I think this is a bad idea. Luciana could’ve done the right thing and fixed this yesterday morning, but she didn’t.”
“I know. Believe me, I’m aware. I’m not letting my guard down.” I leaned away from him.
“Let’s go, before I change my mind,” Dastien said.
Max stepped toward me. “Thank you.”
“No more thank yous from you. Let’s see if I can actually do this first.”
“No, he’s right,” Shannon said. “Thank you for finally doing the right thing.”
That was a backhanded comment if I ever heard one, but now that I knew both reasons why Shannon hated me, she’d be easier to handle. Dastien had crushed a lot of girl’s hearts when he bit me, but we were mates. It was fate. Now she wanted to hold me responsible for Meredith’s curse, too?
It was easier to hate me instead of dealing with what was going on, but that wasn’t exactly fair. I didn’t curse Meredith—Luciana did. Once Meredith was better, maybe she’d know how to smooth things over between me and Shannon, but not right now.
I gave her a small nod, and then started back the way we came.
“Should we call someone? Tell them that we’re coming?” I asked Dastien.
He shook his head. “Usually, I’d arrange a neutral ground to meet them on, but that would give them a chance to prepare. So, we’re just going to show up.”
“And hope for the best.”
He smiled but his dimples didn’t show. “Oui. And hope for the best.”
