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I stepped back because I couldn’t be rational right now. I could deal with Gray. I could even accept the fact that he’d had a hand in the knowledge coming out. He’d been forced to work for Lucifer because he was trying to protect my family and stay in a position of power to continue to monitor the situation in a way Trent and Sasha couldn’t.
Liv just wanted power.
Liv put a hand to her throat. “I guess you’re happy Myrddin killed my whole coven since they knew the truth.”
I shook my head. “What are you talking about? I thought the covens were with Myrddin.”
“Not Liv’s,” Gray said quietly. “There were several covens who were already working with Myrddin, but not the thirteen witches who made up Olivia’s coven. Some of the thirteen got out, but the ones who were trapped at the Council House were killed with the exception of Liv. I don’t think Myrddin gave them a chance to join him. They were deemed traitors and too close to the king.”
“I suppose I should have let myself die, too. Then the great Hunter could have mourned me. Sorry, Kelsey. My coven members were idiots who couldn’t see greatness in front of them,” Liv said, her voice croaky. “Yes, Myrddin knows, and he also knows that it will take both of them to have a shot at killing him. I suppose while Lee was human and Dean was off plane, he didn’t worry about it. It’s why he didn’t kill Lee before.”
“He tried many times,” Lee said with a sigh. He’d turned toward Liv and stared down at her.
“He was trying to bring you in so I could work on you,” Liv insisted.
“That is not logical, Olivia.” Casey was staring at her, too. “Why would Myrddin allow Lee to live if he knew?”
“Because he promised me.” She looked at him like he was an idiot who couldn’t understand English.
“Liv, Myrddin has sent witches to kill all of the kids at one point or another.” Trent stood beside Gray, a curious look on his face. “I was there. The witches weren’t trying to kidnap Lee and Rhys and Fen. I’ll allow that a couple did attempt to bring in Evan alive, but there was no thought to bringing in the boys.”
Her eyes seemed unfocused for a moment as she considered the words. “You’re lying. You want me to do your bidding so you’re giving me more rebel lies.”
“Liv, you’ve tried to kill me,” Lee said, but there was an odd sympathy in his tone.
She scrambled to her feet. “Of course I haven’t. What is wrong with you? I’ve only ever tried to bring you home, you moron. Do you want to make me think I’m some kind of monster and then I’ll…what? I’ll cry and beg forgiveness and be Kelsey’s doormat again?”
What the hell was happening? “Liv, do you remember choking me the day we returned to the plane? You showed up and damn near killed me and the queen.”
“Why would I do that? Myrddin wants you alive.” She shook her head. “I’m not playing these games anymore. Kill me or get me what I need to save my master’s son. I won’t listen to your lies a second longer. It’s not enough that you lie about my master. You lie about me. You want to make me think I don’t even understand reality. I thought you weren’t planning on torturing me. I guess that’s one more promise broken.”
She stalked out, slamming the door behind her. Casey followed after her.
I should probably be worried about that, but I had other things on my mind.
“What the hell was that?” My rage was starting to dissipate. “Is she fucking with me?”
Lee’s eyes were on the door she’d closed. “I don’t think so. You know Myrddin showed up when my mom and I were in the Coven House. Right before she blew it up. Sorry about that. She’s got anger issues.”
“I know he talked to her through one of his witches.” I’d read the queen’s report. Myrddin had used one of his witches to speak to the queen. The witch had been there physically and had taken the grimoire, but Sarah Day’s wards had held and the witch hadn’t been able to get into the apartment the queen found refuge in.
“Did the witch know what he said? Or does he take over completely?” Lee mused. “How many times has Myrddin taken over Olivia’s body? How would we know?”
“Well, he sounds different for one thing,” Trent said, though I detected uncertainty in his tone. “I’ve heard Myrddin’s voice come from someone else’s mouth.”
“Does it have to?” I’d picked up on Lee’s thought process.
“No.” Gray sounded like he knew what he was talking about. “He can use any part of one of his hosts. It’s a particular talent of his.”
That sent a chill through me. “How do we know he’s not inside Liv right now?”
“He can’t fool me. It’s a demonic talent. A possession of sorts,” Gray explained. “In a regular possession the host is aware of what happens, but those possessions are almost always against the host’s will. For Myrddin to take over one of his witches, they have to offer their bodies to him. That willingness might be enough to suppress the memory of what happens. Or Myrddin might be able to plant false memories. We’re dealing with the greatest wizard of all time. He managed to trick Nimue. It wouldn’t be hard to trick a woman who desperately wanted to be fooled into believing she could get her magic back and not be the bad guy.”
So now I had to consider that Liv didn’t even understand reality as it existed.
It multiplied my problems by a thousand. And gave me a sliver of hope.
* * * *
