Page 35 of The Witch’s Daughter

I knew her, and I knew that was all I’d get out of this talk. She was the expert at dodging anything with depth. I fell back into our dance pattern.

“Nice night tonight,” I said.

“It really is.” She turned her face to the sky. “Do you ever think about all the times this comet has passed by before? How much history she’s seen in her life? It’s beautiful.”

I smiled to myself as we continued to walk. This was what I loved about her. How she saw the world so differently, and could still find something pretty in it no matter how cold or cruel it was.

Despite the aloofness she presented, I knew she felt stronger and loved harder than anyone I’d ever met.

“Very beautiful,” I said.

Tisiphone caught me staring and it was my turn to look away.

“I didn’t mean it, you know,” I hurried to add. “Earlier. When I said I’d protect you. I know you hate when I say that. I just meant you wouldn’t be alone. I know you can protect yourself.”

She shouldn’t have to. My wolf growled.

I coughed to cover the sound.

“It’s not your job,” Trish reminded me. Echoes of sadness laced her tone. “Besides, now that my Alpha is coming, I should stay out of the way. Like Meg said, she’d be upset if I did anything dangerous.”

I hated how defeated she sounded, but if I knew how to fix any of this, I wouldn’t be here in the first place.

“Maybe we can do something fun to get your mind off things,” I offered, trying hard not to let on just how much keeping her away from Vincent and whatever the warlock was planning helped my wolf breathe easier.

Tisiphone smiled softly. “Thanks, Jaxon. I don’t need your sympathy, though. I can take care of myself.”

Every muscle in my body ached with the restraint of holding back as we came to a stop in front of her tent. My wolf begged me to move closer, to close the distance between us. To make her see that she was never a burden.

But there was a chasm between us years wide that couldn’t be filled with one night or one talk.

Gods knew I’d already tried.

“Get some sleep then,” I teased. “Big day tomorrow.”

“Right. I’m sure you and the rest of the coven will be busy.” Tisiphone sighed as she unzipped her tent. “Try not to get into too much trouble without me.”

13

Trish

Screw this. I’m going.

No, you’re not.

I groaned as I buried my face in the fur blanket. It was way too early in the morning to argue with my wolf, but we’d been at this all night.

You don’t understand. I tried to make her see reason. This is our last chance to prove that we’re not as weak and damaged as they all think.

Once Alpha Kera got here with Alec, they’d make sure I didn’t set foot near Vincent or his war plans against the humans. It was a miracle they’d even let me come at all, but I’d sealed my fate as soon as I ran to tell my sisters what was happening.

I didn’t regret it, because I wasn’t going to make some stupid mistake that ended up causing problems in the long run by hiding important information. Despite how messed up things were, I did actually like my life. If something happened and Alpha Kera or Mom knew that I didn’t tell my sisters first, they’d kill me.

But now, the clock was ticking down until Alpha Kera arrived. She’d swoop in. I’d be pushed aside. Already, I was supposed to spend the next few days shopping and lying around while… what? A warlord warlock made plans that could affect every pack in our country as I sat around sniffing candles all day?

Not on my watch.

I pushed back the fur blankets.