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“What do you know of my siblings and our inns?” Elias demanded instantly.
Stephanie flushed a deep red, and Elias sensed she’d let slip something she shouldn’t have.
“Kit spoke of you,” Stephanie whispered.
But Elias knew that wasn’t the full truth.
“Do not lie to me!” he thundered.
“All my friends bought the inns owned by your siblings!” Stephanie cried.
“What?” Elias gasped.
“The inns your siblings owned are all now owned by my friends!” Stephanie repeated.
Elias noticed how badly she was shaking and ran a hand through his hair. “Calm, Miss. I’ll not harm you, not even in temper. I think you missed something out of your story, didn’t you?” he pried in a gentler tone.
It was clear she was extremely frightened by men. Elias sensed what his brother probably already knew. She’d been harmed by a man. Elias grabbed a chair to sit in instead of towering over her.
“Why not tell me everything?”
“Because then I’d betray Callie,” Stephanie whispered.
“Callie knows where my family is?” Elias asked as his temper rose again. That deceitful, treacherous wench!
“We swore a blood oath not to inform you. We acknowledged that each of you was defending a great evil. If we told you all your siblings were trapped, then one of you might try to help, and your prisoner could escape.”
“A blood oath? Which of you is the witch?” Elias inquired. Things were getting more complicated.
“None of us, Kit asked the same. It was something we started as children.”
“That makes little sense. Who began this ritual?” Elias pried.
“I honestly don’t know. We just began doing it when we didn’t want to spill a secret,” Stephanie replied.
“One of you is a witch. A blood oath is only powerful when magic is involved,” Elias elaborated.
“I didn’t know that. But I have to leave. Thank you for your time,” Stephanie said politely.
“If what you are telling me is the truth. Kit would have given you something to tell me that only I would know,” Elias inquired.
“He did, but it’s irrelevant. You don’t have the demon… wait. Kit explained how rare and how difficult the traps are to make. You wouldn’t have lost yours!” Stephanie said, and she narrowed her eyes at him.
Elias chuckled. “Clever girl. Now, what proof did my brother offer you?”
Stephanie released a huff and sent him a dark look.
“I don’t see why I should tell you after your tricks and behaviour, but you won’t give it to me otherwise, will you?” she asked.
Elias laughed again. Why couldn’t this girl have bought his inn instead of the harpy he had to manage? Stephanie was delightful, and he could understand why Kit wanted to keep her around.
“No, I won’t,” Elias replied agreeably.
“You’re very mean. You could have sent me away and put Kit in danger. I don’t think I like you much,” Stephanie said bluntly.
Well, that told him! Elias thought, delighted at Stephanie. He would wager a year’s earnings that this delicate creature kept Kit on his toes. And brought out every protective quality Kit owned.
“Tell me what my brother told you, Stephanie, and the trap will be yours,” Elias offered.
