“He promised, Elaria.” Slate leaned forward and set his fist on the table. “Don't you remember? He promised that if we broke the spell and you still loved each other, he would join uswithout reservation. He's breaking his vow.”
I blinked. Slate was right.
“I had that conversation with him while I showed him to a room,” Banning admitted. “It didn't go well.”
“What's that mean?” Slate demanded.
“Verin said that he had made the vow under magical influence so it would be dishonorable of us to hold him to it.” Banning grimaced. “He has a point.”
“I'll shove his damn point up his scaly ass!” Slate snarled.
“Slate, please.” I reached across the table and covered his fist with my hand. “I don't want him forced back to me. That would only make both of us miserable. Just leave him be.”
Slate's expression softened as he sank back into his seat. “Are you sure, El? Because I'll go up there and make sure he—”
“I'm sure,” I cut him off, then took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “What are we going to do about Vivian?”
“Now, there's a question,” Declan drawled. “Odin won't let us act without absolute proof.”
“Neither will I,” I said firmly. “We need to be certain it's Vivian before we accuse her. Because if it isn't her, my accusation will hurt our friendship forever.”
“I don't suppose there's a song about getting evidence?” Banning asked.
“Not that I know of,” I murmured. “But there must be something that can help us.”
“Perhaps a song about revealing secrets?” Slate suggested. “I'm pretty sure I've heard one before.”
My contact charm chimed and all discussion ceased. I slid it into my ear and answered.
“Where are you?” Odin demanded.
“Banning's country club,” I said, instantly alert. “Why?”
“Vivian just left the island. Be on guard. I'm on my way.” And then he was gone.
I jumped up, my charm falling out of my ear. “She's coming!”
“To your posts!” Banning shouted and suddenly there was movement around the entire club.
Ky?I asked inside my head.
I'm already preparing some songs for you, my love. Just tell me when you're ready.
Thanks.
Blooders appeared in windows as we headed inside. Panes were lifted and weapons propped on the sills—mostly guns but there were a few bows as well. A rumbling announced Odin's arrival, and I turned to watch a dust devil form on the lawn. The swirling earth solidified into the shape of a man and then burst apart to reveal Odin. I waved at him over.
“Is the place secure?” Odin asked as we went inside.
“It's secure.” Banning shut the door and locked it behind us.
As soon as Banning stepped away, a group of Blooders moved up to guard the entrance, brandishing guns and swords. Banning had lost twenty-six people during the Battle of Primeval but he'd been adding new members ever since and his gura was up to fifty-six Blooders. My guys and I should be enough to handle one witch, especially with Odin and Verin with us, but the Blooders would be good backup, and the more eyes we had watching over the place, the better.
Odin strode to a sitting room at the front of the building and went to stand behind some Blooders at the picture window. He crossed his arms and scanned the golf course. “Where is she? She should be here by now.”
“Vivian knows better than to strike at us head-on.” I scowled in thought. “Come to think of it, she knows that I'm immortal. Why would she try to drown me?”
“Immortals are not invulnerable; you know that and so does Vivian,” Darc said gravely. “She likely wanted to incapacitate you with drowning and then, while you revived, remove your head. I don't believe either of us could survive a beheading, not limited as we are to these physical bodies.”
