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“About this speech.” Cosette lifted a hand.
“Finally speaking up, eh?” Donovan’s brows rose. “You weren’t half as eager to answer our questions earlier.”
She shrugged. “I don’t like questions. I do have a statement though.”
Really? I leaned forward in my chair and I wasn’t the only one. Cosette had been helping us much more than expected, but she still wasn’t very big on volunteering information.
“You’re not to mention the word fey in this speech or any other contact with the humans.”
That seemed extreme. I knew now that the fey had more magic than I’d thought, but they couldn’t hide from the humans forever.
“Is that a threat?” Mr. Dawson’s voice held a hint of a growl.
“Not mine.” Cosette flattened her hands on the table. “I’m to tell you that the fey have no plans to announce themselves and if they’re outed without their consent…” She wrinkled her nose. “Let’s just not go there.”
“What if they ask what you are?” I could lie to the reporters, but I wasn’t sure what I’d say.
“I can go back to playing a witch if that’s easier for you.” Cosette glanced at Claudia, who hadn’t said a word this whole meeting. I needed to talk to her again and check how she was getting through all this. “But my advice is that you speak for the Weres and only the Weres. Anything else is asking for trouble.”
I nodded. “That seems reasonable.” I barely felt right speaking at all, let alone trying to talk about witches or fey, or anyone else. Just to be sure, I turned to my cousin. “Is there anything you want me to say, Claudia?”
She jumped, grabbing her hands to her chest. “No… I…” Lucas squeezed her shoulder and they shared a look, him projecting confidence and love, before she continued. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable speaking for the other covens, but Luciana was my coven leader…” Pain flashed across her features, but determination quickly replaced the hurt. “I trust you to speak for the few of us who are left. I know you’ll make this about her without trying to paint the rest of us as villains. We can’t have this ending in witch hunts.”
My throat suddenly went dry. This was a lot of responsibility. But as I glanced around the table…
Cosette couldn’t speak for us. She could barely speak for herself. The members of the Seven I trusted most had all been caught on film, and I definitely didn’t trust Lisabetta to talk about the witches in a positive light.
It had to be me. The realization made my heart pound, but it seemed too late to turn back. “Are we doing this now?” My voice only cracked a little.
“After you change.” Dad gave a pointed look at my clothes.
I glanced down at my outfit—skinny jeans and an old Nine Inch Nails T-shirt. It was one of the first ones I’d screen-printed. It had the downward spiral image on it. I figured after this morning, it was pretty apt. “What’s wrong with this?” I felt comfortable, and if I was going to do this, I should feel comfortable. Right?
“Teresa. A dress.”
“Yes, sir.” I gave him a little salute.
Donovan walked around the table to clasp my shoulder. “You’re going to do great. I know you will.”
Yup. Everyone had lost their minds today.
I turned to the other alphas. “It was nice meeting you all.”
“I’ll go with her, if that’s okay,” Dastien said.
Mr. Dawson gave a small nod. “Probably best. Otherwise, I think she might run off.”
“Pretty valid thought,” I muttered, but all the Weres heard me and laughed.
On that note, I headed back to the dorm with Dastien. I dug out my one sundress, which had little yellow flowers on it, and slipped on a pair of sandals. Good enough.
I quickly put my hair up in a ponytail. I hadn’t used any make-up since I’d gotten to St. Ailbe’s, but I put on a little concealer, mascara, and lipgloss. If I was going to be on camera, I might as well look nice.
I exited the bathroom and held my arms out. “Well? How do I look?”
“Beautiful,” Dastien said.
“Good answer. Otherwise, I’d have to hide under my bed for the rest of my life.”
