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I hope not. “How do you think Sebastian will react if it’s one of us who is bound to Josephine and not him?”
Rune frowns. “You aren’t seriously saying you think he’d be low enough to still want to kill her?”
I don’t say anything, but that in itself is saying enough. Sebastian has been clear about his intentions with Josephine since day one. That isn’t going to suddenly change tomorrow night.
“He’s our leader, and a vampire of honor. He would never harm a Sun Witch bound to another vampire.”
Rune puts too much faith in Sebastian.
“He might if that Sun Witch is Josephine Dumont.”
Rune tugs at the braid woven into his beard as he considers my words. Maybe the old Sebastian had a sense of honor, but we both know how far our leader has fallen in the last two decades.
I wish I knew what to do for him. I’m not even sure there is a way for Rune or me to help Sebastian. To find a unity bond and have it stripped away all in the same day is an incomprehensible thought.
“I’m not saying he will do anything,” I say, to clarify. “I just want us to be prepared if that’s how things turn out.”
Rune frowns. “It won’t. Bas is our leader and brother, but the bond between a vampire and his Unity Witch is sacred.”
Fuck, it’s so sacred that even the wolves rarely stoop low enough to go after a Sun Witch, and likewise for vampires and Moon Witches. Until recent events.
The more important question is, if it came down to it, would I be willing to take Sebastian out? What about Rune? Would I be capable of taking down my sire?
For Josie? I would sure as hell try.
“Is that really all, Fintan?”
“No.”
Of course it isn’t.
“I want ye to promise that, if it comes down to it and we lose Sebastian completely, ye won’t let him take us down with him. Promise ye’ll leave with me before it comes to that.”
I feel horrible even asking such a thing from him.
Nothing compares to the bond between a vampire and his sire. It is unbreakable and all-encompassing.
Rune lays a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, brother. I won’t let it come to that.” Rune clasps my hand and draws me into a tight bear hug.
“I hope yer right, Rune. I really do.”
* * *
SEBASTIAN
Walking through Jean Lafitte Park is like traversing an alien world of trees and outdoor landscape. After spending decades without leaving the streets of the Quarter, it’s hard to believe a place like this is only thirty minutes from Hotel Elysian and not another planet.
“Why did we let the witch drag us all the way out here?” I bat away the millionth buzzing insect of the night.
“I think she’s hoping a croc eats you before the new moon rises,” Rune answers from behind me.
“Ha! Now that’s a thought,” Josephine says up front.
“Yer cheerful tonight,” Finn comments next to her, the two of them walking so closely their shoulders brush together with every other step.
“It feels great to be out of the city. I needed this. A witch’s magic stems from nature.” Josephine throws her arms out on either side of her. “The earth. The trees. Hiking through boardwalk trails. All of it gets me closer to Mother Gaia.”
“Well, it’s nice to see ye like this.”
