“They’ve worked with witches, that much I know. But I was not at the point where I knew much about the inner workings of the council before I left, so I can’t help much there.”
We were at a standstill. All the information we had was out in the open, but there was no clear path forward, and we still had a decaying body in front of us.
“On the bright side, without him, getting to my brother will be easier. And we can finish this prophecy once and for all. Even if we don’t know much about what they’re involved in, it’s a start.”
“I can ask the witches,” Cedar said after a moment.
“No.”
“You’re not going back there.”
Vesper and I spoke at the same time, protectiveness flaring in the bond. Her face was a picture of exhaustion and anxiety, but for a moment, a small smile broke.
“Not my coven. There are others out there. More witches I can ask. I have a…leadI think can give us some answers.”
Something was rumbling in my chest. I didn’t want to say it. As the person in charge of seeing to my brother’s downfall, I knew what I needed to ask of her, but I didn’t want to. Not when this was already affecting her so badly.
“Ask, Princess. I see you wavering,”
Of course Cedar can see right through it.
I sighed. “We need to recruit the witches. I was originally going to ask you that, but after seeing how this affected you… I didn’t want to push you too hard. Nor do I want to put you in danger again.”
“I know, but we need the help, don’t we? On top of that… The body should be returned. Your brother requested it be used as amessage, but the covens may be able to figure out who he killed in the process and let their loved ones know.”
“It will start a war,” Atlas hissed. “And if they figure out the council is involved…
“Not if she says it was him alone,” I said. “That was his story, and we will stick to it.”
“We should still send a message to the council,” Atlas insisted. “Let them know we are onto them.”
Vesper snickered.
“Seriously? You’re going to put us in danger just because you want to get back at them? Are you crazy?”
The comment set Atlas off. She rushed at Vesper, her hands grabbing her shirt.
“You know, I never fucking liked you. I smelled it from the beginning.”
“Again… Grow. The fuck. Up.” Vesper enunciated each word, almost like she was goading her.
In a second, Caspian was on the other side of Atlas, pulling her away, while I did the same to Vesper.Fucking children.
Aurelia gave Vesper a sharp look, and through the bond I could feel the anticipation for the punishment she was going to deliver for this outburst.
“The head goes to the council, the body to the witches,” I hissed. “I will deliver the head with Vesper—alone—and Cedar will go to the witches.”
“I am coming?—”
“If you can prove to me that you willnotfight Kyan and behave, I will have you come. But remember that our fight is with my brother,notthe council.”
Atlas held my gaze, her chest puffing. But then she stepped back.
“Kyan is still mad at me. Maybe it’s better if I don’t come.”
“What is that about anyway?” Vesper asked.
Atlas looked like she was going to fight her but held back.
