Page 162 of Fallen Court

Betrayal unlike anything I’d ever known ripped out my heart.

“What have you done?” I breathed.

This wasn’t my brother. A brother would never betray his court, his friends, his family. The man standing in front of me might as well have been a stranger.

“I did what I had to do,” Shaw said, his voice hollow. “You would never understand.”

Rage boiled and spilled out of me. “You betrayed your family. There’s no coming back from this, Shaw. You’re out.”

His jaw clenched, and he released a frustrated huff. “Face it. I was never in.”

That’s what this was about? He wanted more power, more responsibility, more attention?

I choked back my disgust and turned toward Baptiste. “Let them go. I’m a much bigger prize.”

“Oh, I don’t think so.” Baptiste laughed and tapped Cate’s nose with the pistol. “I could lie and say I waited for you as a courtesy, but the truth is that I wanted you to watch. I want to look in your eyes the moment your world crumbles.”

I had to keep her talking. If letting her toy with us kept Cate alive, then so be it. I tucked the unloaded gun into my holster and forced a smirk. “I had no idea that you were still in love with me.”

“In love with you?” She looked genuinely offended by the idea.

Almost as offended as I was by even putting Baptiste and the idea of love into the same sentence.

Cate’s gaze flickered to me, and she blinked like she was trying to tell me something. I regretted not having those signets made for us, if only so we could communicate with each other when we found ourselves in these life-and-death situations—especially if they were going to keep increasing in frequency. We just had to make it out of here first, avoid the Wild Hunt, and start living happily ever after.

“This isn’t about us, Gage.” Baptiste took her eyes off Cate. “This is much bigger than any of us. The time of the convergence is nearing.”

“Do they know what you’re talking about?” Roark asked, hitching a thumb at the other members of the Cabal. “Or have you just compelled them to go along with your ramblings?”

“Maybe I’ll shoot you,” she said, momentarily flicking her weapon in his direction. “We only need one fae death to bring down your cursed spell. It would be poignant to know the faithful dog’s death would ensure your master died.”

Ciara snarled. “If you lay one finger on him—”

“You’ll what?” Baptiste bent down and aimed at her. “Give me a reason.”

But Ciara clamped her mouth shut.

“Please!” Baptiste threw her other hand in the air. “I’m having such a hard time deciding which one of you to kill.”

“Stop wasting time, Baptiste,” the witch said, rolling his eyes. “Just kill one of them, and let’s be done with it.”

“Me.” I took a step forward, crooking my finger at her. “You know you want to.”

“Tempting.” She pushed out her lower lip before shaking her head. “But let’s let fate decide. Eeny.” She turned the gun on Roark. “Meeny.” It swiveled to Ciara, and this time Roark growled. “Miny.” Baptiste giggled and pointed it at me.

There was no one left, but…

Baptiste squatted and put it back between Cate’s eyes. “Moe,” she breathed. “It’s time to come out and play.”

“What?” Dante called from where he knelt by Channing’s side. “Stop screwing around.”

“Show them, changeling,” Baptiste whispered.

Cate closed her eyes for a heartbeat, and I found myself taking another step. Not like this.

“Anything you want,” I said in a hoarse voice, not bothering to hide my panic. “Anything. Just let her go.”

Cate opened her eyes and met mine, bright determination sparkling in them. The same determination I’d seen on the night we met. She smiled at me, and I started to shake my head.