1
I cried.
I cried hard.
I crieda lot.
If there was ever a time to forgive myself for losing my shit, it was when a man almost twice my age put his hands on me and was forcing me to be in a relationship that was clearly not going to be in name only… And I didn’t see a way out of it that didn’t blow up my life.
Or end up with someone else dead. I’d already had to kill someone, and I wasn’t sure I could do it again.
Plus, now the support system that I supposedly had was having meetings and hearings behind my back, allowing information to be leaked about me, and not securing it the way they had promised.
So yeah, I was beyond a fucking mess, and I started laughing hysterically when I had a random thought that at least I wasn’t puking from the confrontation. Probably because nothing was in my stomach.
Awesome.
I wasn’t sure how long I lost it for, but when I finally could lock onto an actual productive thought instead of just fleeting this or that, one thing stuck out in my mind.
He can’t become more powerful to be my priest and control me if he can’t harvest magic. If he can’t access his familiar, I’ll be safe.
That was the answer. That was the only answer I had—to be had. He was right that others from the council might look down on what he’d done, but if it got them what they wanted and me under their thumb… Would they turn a blind eye or support him?
And would the Reids, Moons, and others supporting me risk blowing up the council over one witch?
It wasn’t a gamble I could take.
I grabbed what I needed and was out the door, not even sure where I was going or who I could trust.
But fate or the gods smiled on me because I caught a glimpse of someone who owed me a serious favor. I did my best to mop up my face and thanked whoever helped me that she was alone.
“Oh, Ms. Millen, you startled me,” Professor Daly gasped when I joined her.
“Sorry, but I need—please, I need help,” I said quietly. “And less ears.”
She studied for me for a moment. “What has happened, Bevin? We can report it and—”
That was the last thing I wanted. “I’m trying to stop a disaster, but I have to do it quickly and without notice. Please, I need you to trust me, Professor.”
She nodded and moved her arm around me protectively, guiding us away from other eyes and behind one of the buildings. “Talk.”
“I-I can’t tell you,” I mumbled, unable to look at her. I sighed when I realized that wouldn’t be enough. “One of the councilmen’s children is doing something—they want to take over the seat and get the support of Familiar Treasures. They want to use me to—I just need to get to the councilman quietly. Ihave to defuse this bomb if I can. Please, I just need you to send me.”
She didn’t say anything for several long moments, so I looked up to see her studying my aura. She sighed and met my gaze. “You are too locked down now that I can’t tell enough.” She reached out to touch my arm but froze when I flinched. “I see.” Tears filled her eyes. “Did he force you, Bevin?”
“Just a kiss,” I rasped. “Please help me.”
“I know you have more planned than talk,” she said quietly. “And I know you are more than just working for that company.” She gave me a gentle smile when I flinched. “All I ask is you not make me complicit in something that can mark my soul while you protect yourself.”
“I won’t, I promise.” I licked my lips and thought of how to explain it. “I’m getting an ace but—I swear it.” I scrubbed my hands over my face. “I hope the councilman will do the right thing. I do. But some of them are just as corrupt and power hungry as my family.”
“Then protect yourself and we never spoke,” she said quietly as she started to lay a circle. She asked the address, and after I looked it up, I told her a few houses down from where I needed.
She opened her mouth like she might ask me to let her know how it all went but then shook her head and sent me without another word.
I cloaked myself so I was invisible when I arrived, and after a moment to acclimate myself, I headed for the Hanson estate. I wanted to roll my eyes at how incredibly lax their security was.
Seriously, no one should ever be that stupid, much less someone with money and who could afford security. They didn’t even have sensors on the property.
