“Then be prepared for a visit from the human authorities.”
“So be it.”
Mere was willing to be investigated, willing to risk her future in order to stay with me. I rubbed at the sudden ache in my chest.
I wanted to turn her over my knee. Wanted to press kisses to every inch of her face. Wanted…wanted.
I was in love with her. I’d known it for some time, but it had suddenly cemented. I wanted to spend every second of my life with her.
I’d missed Mere’s reply. I stalked around the corner and found Meredith staring at the crone in front of her as if she were a snake.
I could feel the witch’s power, and it was, indeed, vast. But it was unimpressive compared to my own. She attempted to read me, and I gave her a slow smile that made the color drain from her face.
She looked at Mere. “You have made your choice,” she told her. “Be prepared for the consequences.”
Mere smiled. “You should prepare for your own consequences.”
The crone paused. “Excuse me?”
“While you’ve been here, I’ve searched through your phone, which you’ve synced to your home computer. I know all your secrets, Magdalena. And many of those secrets would be very dangerous to the coven. Who do you think they will blame if those secrets were to come out?”
The witch gave her a long look. “And so, I have been trapped by my own electronics. I was told to come here, and I will pass on your message. But I will warn you, the High Coven will not stop until you agree to join them.”
I opened my mouth, but Mere was already baring her teeth at the witch. “They can fucking try.”
Magdalena nodded, turned, and walked away. I ignored her, my gaze on Mere.
“How much did you hear?” she asked me.
“All of it. You drive me crazy, Mere.”
She gave me a haughty look, and I wanted to bend her over the closest barstool. Her eyes heated at whatever she saw on my face.
“Did you seriously think I’d just agree to ditch the demons? To ditchyou? Come on, Vas.”
“If they tell people about your father…”
She swallowed, and for the first time, uncertainty crossed her face. Then her mouth firmed. “I don’t believe they will since they know I’ll do everything I can to take them down with me. But if they do, they do. I can’t control that.”
I could. I could kill the entire High Coven. Of course, I probably wouldn’t live long myself once Samael found out what I’d done. The power balance in this world was extremely delicate.
Mere eyed me, waiting to see what I’d say next.
“I’m in love with you.”
She gaped at me. Not quite the reaction I’d hoped for.
“Vas…”
“The first time we kissed, it was like something slipped into place inside me. Something I hadn’t known was missing until I saw you serving drinks in your bar. You’re my bondmate. I haven’t given you the mark, because I know you want to take this slow.” But it was killing me not to bond with her.
She stepped closer, raising her palm to my cheek. Then she pushed herself up onto her tiptoes, steadying herself with a hand against my chest. That hand slid to the back of my head as she guided my lips to hers.
“You’re the only man I’ve ever wanted,” she murmured against my lips. “I never allowed myself to even imagine I could be this happy. This has just all happened so fast. Give me a little time, Vas.”
I could give her time.
Not a lot of time. But a little.
