“That’s a terrible idea,” Delphi says. “The pack already blames him. If he shows up, it’ll anger everyone even more. And they’re much less likely to believe anything you do with him next to you. He could have told you exactly what to say.”
“Witches can’t be held spellbound,” I tell her. “Which is probably something else I’d have to convince them of because judging by the look on your face that wasn’t common knowledge among other supes.”
“No, I had no idea. Cool. And unfair. Also, why?”
“I don’t know,” I answer with a shrug. “But I agree with you.”
“The pack will not meet with vampires,” Delphi says, looking at Theo. “Wren is the best chance we have to keep things from escalating.” She brings her hands together, pleading. “It wouldn’t stop at our pack. If we make a move against you,everyone in the coalition will know why. Xavier will be blamed for breaking a rule he put into place.”
“Zeke,” I say before Theo has a chance to respond. “Remember how you said you owe me?”
“Yeah,” he says, confused as to why I’m bringing this up.
“Consider this me cashing in that favor.” I raise my hand, fingers going to Theo’s forehead. “Somnum.” He fights against the sleeping spell for a couple of seconds, and my heart is in my throat. But then the magic takes over and he slowly collapses to the ground.
“Holy shit,” Delphi says.
“I didn’t know if that would work on a vampire,” I confess.
“Wren,” Mabel starts, shaking her head. “You better hurry. He’ll wake up soon.”
I meet her eyes, thankful she’s not trying to talk me out of it. If the color could drain out of Zeke’s face, it would. But he’s already dead and pale and is standing there, looking at Theo with shock on his face. Bending down, I get Theo’s keys from his pocket.
“You didn’t drive, did you?” I ask Delphi, eyeing her bare feet again.
“Nope. I shifted and ran.”
“With your dress on?” Mabel asks.
“I carried it.”
“Oh, interesting. Good luck, Wren. Please don’t die.”
“I won’t,” I promise Mabel. “I’m sorry I had to leave early.”
“Come on,” Delphi urges and we take off, hurrying to the SUV.
“You’re going to have to direct me.”
“Go straight and turn right at the next light.”
“Okay.” I press my foot on the gas, accelerating as fast as I can without getting pulled over.
“That spell was pretty badass. I’ve never met a witch before. There aren’t many in the area, probably because there are so many vampires. Or maybe they’re closer to New Orleans because it’s like a magical city?”
“I don’t really know,” I tell her. “The Order wasn’t too keen on letting me know more than I needed to about witches.”
“That’s so fucked up.”
“I know.” I inhale as I slow to a stop, glancing in the rearview mirror to see if Theo woke up yet. The thought of a seven hundred year old vampire racing after me is terrifying.
“Thanks for trusting me,” Delphi says somewhat awkwardly.
“My gut is telling me I should. And recently I’ve been trying to listen to it more.” I tap my fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for the light to change. I press on the gas as soon as it does, holding my breath as we make it down another block. We’re out of the downtown area now and I risk going faster.
It doesn’t take long to get to Delphi’s neighborhood, and I’m taken aback when I pull up to a gate.
“Three-seven-four-two,” she tells me and I punch in a code.
