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The look on her face was like a starving man unleashed at a buffet. She was completely enamored with the scent around us. She tried to tug her hand free of mine, but I held tight and refused to let go of Holden, praying we’d make it through to the other side before anything happened.
When we emerged into Calliope’s waiting room, my ears popped like I’d come down from a long flight. I was grateful to see that not only had we made it out, we’d all come through together.
The Oracle was standing next to her massive fireplace, looking none too impressed to see us. Her jet-black hair was braided and pinned around her head like a crown, and she wore a full taffeta ball gown in a deep purple color.
&
nbsp; “I warned you,” she said, pacing in front of the flames. “I told you it would screw everything up. ”
“Nice to see you too, Cal. ”
“Why do you insist on toying with your future?”
I released Holden and Kellen so I could stretch my fingers and shake off the uneasy feeling I’d gotten from passing into Calliope’s home. It sounded like she was building up for a lecture, and considering she was an ancient immortal, I didn’t think I had time to spare for a big speech tonight.
“I’ve made some terrible mistakes. People have suffered because of me. People… Someone I love has died because of me. You don’t need to tell me what a mess I’ve made. I’m here to set it right. ”
“Mistakes cannot be undone, Secret. Spills cannot be unspilled, they must be wiped clean. Blood cannot be unshed, a wound must be stitched and healed. There isn’t an easy solution here. No magic snap of the fingers. ”
“I know. ”
“I can’t bring Brigit back. Neither can Aubrey. Sometimes death is as final as the poets claim. ”
I hadn’t truly realized until right then part of me had hoped something could restore Brigit to life. I’d tried not to think about it, but in the back of my head a childish, innocent part of my brain thought there might be magic, something fantastic that could make things okay again.
I twisted my hands against the fabric of my dress. “I’m not here to change the past. I’m here to find a solution for the future. ”
“And you think there’s a way to put it in order?”
“Stitch up the wound, you mean? Let it heal?”
“Yes. ” She didn’t look pleased to have her own words echoed back to her. “What is your brilliant master plan?”
“Your brother made me a promise. ”
At this, her brows shot up. “Why would he do such a thing?”
“Because of you. Because I told him you were at risk. He promised to keep his fairies from killing anyone else, and he failed. He owes me. ”
She didn’t dispute this, further solidifying my own hopes that Aubrey’s broken promise would act as a favor. Fairies were hard to figure out when it came to knowing what did and didn’t constitute reparations owed.
“I also plan to bring him a gift. Something for one of his men. ”
Her eyes went to Holden first, making me wonder if any of the fairies at the ball had made mention of him. I wouldn’t have been surprised. He’d looked so good I might have gone gay for him if I hadn’t already been his type. I shook my head at the Oracle and nodded towards Kellen.
“If you can assure me she isn’t under an emotionally manipulative spell and the attachment she has for Brokk is real, I’m going to take her back to him. ”
Kellen clasped her hands together, looking like a lost, needy puppy. I could have sworn her eyes grew three sizes larger.
“Brokk?” Calliope’s nose wrinkled, and she rolled her eyes. “Oh she must be under a spell to believe she’s in love with that good for nothing—”
“Can you just, I don’t know…check her?”
“She’s not enchanted,” Calliope replied, never moving an inch closer.
I’d expected her to wave her hands over Kellen’s head or take her pulse. Maybe look deep into her eyes while reciting a strange fairy incantation. “That’s it? You can tell by looking at her?”
“She’s in love, that’s obvious enough. You can’t see it on her face?”
