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“We’re like pets to you,” Sarah adds. “Less than pets—we’re nothing but tools to be used and put away as you see fit.”
She’s a totally different person than the witch we found in Egan’s midst. Could the frail, scared witch persona all be an act?
There’s no reason to add fuel to the fire of their obvious distaste, so I simply sigh and let it go. “I’m sorry you have such a poor view of us.”
“Screw that,” Rune says.
Huh, my Viking sire missed the part where we’re done arguing. I’m shocked.
“Egan is the dog, and there’s nothing we can do about that,” he says. “But if witches are our pets, the witches at Hotel Elysian are some of the most pampered and well-cared-for pets you’ve ever seen. Not a chain or cage in sight.”
“Seriously?” Josie snaps. “I am not your pet.”
He winks at Josie and the smirk on his face tells her he was only teasing. Fuck, man. Read the room.
It is so not the time for jokes.
Everyone’s patience is wearing dangerously thin. Mine included.
“It’s been a long day,” Josie says before the conversation dissolves any further. “I think we can all agree Egan is despicable. And while I can’t speak for Sebastian and the vampires, I want to call the Moon Witches allies in the struggle to eliminate him as a threat.”
She meets my gaze and I sense that she’s hoping I jump in, but I remain a silent observer. Josie needs to establish her footing with the other witches in New Orleans without our influence or interference.
Sebastian and Rune recognize that too because neither of them speak up.
Josie looks exasperated but continues. “I understand the urgency of what we’re up against, but that’s even more reason to be cautious. Let’s call it a day and reconvene after we process everything you’ve told us.”
All eyes shift from her to Lilian, and it’s like the entire cabin holds its breath, waiting for Madame Beauchamp’s response.
“Of course,” she says finally, her mouth slowly turning up in a smile that doesn’t reach her pale eyes. “We’ll see each other again soon.”
CHAPTER FIVE
JOSIE
Idon’t remember returning to my room at the Hotel Elysian. After finishing the meeting with Lilian and the Moon Witches, Finn scooped me into his arms and began running. The rhythmic cadence of his footfalls and the security of being caged against his chest gave me the peace I needed to let my exhaustion take hold.
I woke briefly a couple of times, but in the end, I slept the day and following night away. It’s nearly dawn when I wake fully and the events of the past two days wash over me.
Adelaide is dead.
Lilian Beauchamp is alive.
Egan is after the two witchstones.
I’m pacing alone in my suite, my thoughts spinning in until I’m dizzy.
I’ve grown used to Finn and Rune filling my time, but with everything that happened at my family crypt, they need to tend to the fallout and assess what the aftereffects will be.
I collapse backward over the edge of my bed with a groan, gazing up at the gaudy canopy draped above me. It would be such a blessing if the hours of sleep had overtaken me and shut off the world.
No chance of that.
Stupid Sebastian.
I don’t know how, but this is entirely his fault.
Okay, maybe I’m so used to placing the blame on him, I’m using him as a scapegoat to offload my anger—anger that should be directed at Egan and Adelaide.
