“That’s not exactly a flattering answer.” The werewolf snipped the end of a cigar before lighting it with a thin piece of cedar. “What would you like to see change to make it the best place you’ve ever lived?”
“All things considered, it is the best place I’ve ever lived, but I can only compare it to the dumps I came from,” I said as Mosavi glared at me. “That came out wrong. The town is really amazing, and I’m not just saying that because you’re looking at me like you want to rip my throat out. I’ve never seen humans and werewolves so happy living practically on top of one another. The city was segregated, and where I grew up, werewolves were always forced to leave. I just wish—” I paused, and Mosavi stopped puffing on his cigar, cocking his eyebrow.
“Wish what?”
“I wish we could do something about the witches.” I looked over at Willa, whose expression went from whimsical to dark. “We’re surrounded by nature, but everyone’s too afraid to enjoy it.”
“Nature offers nothing of importance anyway.” Mosavi snipped off the end of another cigar and handed me the lit one he was drawing from. “And nothing can currently be done about the coven. All we can do is ward against them.”
“If Willa was able to break free, then couldn’t others?”
“That is the million-dollar question,” Willa said. “My sisters are bound to a prince of hell, and that bond is usually ironclad. The only reason I broke free was—” She sat up on the couch and looked over at her husband. “Our life forces became intermingled the day I saved Darius’s life. He was like a filter. Each time I breathed into him, his body purified it before it flowed back into me again. It’s careless to assume this would happen with any other witch, because my circumstances were different. Though I was not completely free from the influence of my coven, I had broken the pact many years prior.”
“I saw the vision. You had already taken the first steps against your nature before any of this happened, just by saving Darius.”
Willa nodded and her smile returned. “I still do not know what happened, or why His influence over me faded. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but perhaps there is a slim chance my sisters can be saved.”
I thought back to Roscoe and his pack. “Finding a way to save the captured werewolves should be a priority.”
“Childish, wishful thinking,” Mosavi said. “And dangerous. Once a thrall to the witches, there is no coming back.”
“Is that so?” Willa shifted closer to the edge of the couch, eyeing her husband.
“I have the elder vironoct coursing through my veins, which makes me more resistant to their control.”
“Then why not use that to break the others free?” I asked.
“Just because I am resistant does not mean they cannot entrap me, like they did before.”
I looked over at Willa. “But you have your wife to protect you.”
Mosavi jumped from his chair and pointed a clawed finger at my face. “I will not put her life in danger for some half-turn’s idiocy!”
“Darius,” Willa said calmly as she placed her index finger and thumb between his shoulder blades. His eyes rolled upward, and he fell to his knees. “That’s enough. I’m not a child to be coddled, nor am I some flailing, helpless damsel. One day I will be feared by those who wish us harm, mark my words. And you…” She looked down at her husband and back at me. “You will start treating my sweet Cody better.”
“I’ll not let him convince you to risk exposing yourself.” He turned from me, still on his knees, and lay his face in his wife’s lap as she sat. She gently stroked the top of his head. “We have always been more than lovers. You are my closest friend, and without you, I have nothing. An eternity with all the pleasures in this world could never come close to just five minutes in your arms.”
Willa shifted to her knees before falling into his embrace. The dramatic way they spoke and behaved toward one another reminded me of those old-timey romantic flicks. When I thought about how long they’d been alive, anything else would have likely seemed unnatural.
“You are overreacting, dear. Merely giving this consideration won’t put me in danger. We’ve been discussing the possibility of saving the thralls. I don’t for a moment believe it’s permanent, even for the average werewolf.” She released Mosavi and glanced at me. “We’ve talked through all of this, but we always come back to the same conclusion. Even with Mosavi being an elder and me being a witch, it wouldn’t be enough to break such powerful magic. The only beings powerful enough to come close would be an entire council of elders like the ones we’ve mentioned before, but they may be compromised.”
“He should leave,” Mosavi said. “He’s not the one I want.”
“He’s the oneIwant, Darius.” Willa stood and helped Mosavi to his feet. “I want you to lead this town, Cody. We can’t stay here forever, and we need an elder who can make logical and wise decisions. Despite being so young, you fit the bill.”
“Uh, isn’t this an elected position?” I asked.
They smirked at one another.
“Sure,” Mosavi answered dismissively.
“Why did you both smile like that? What happened to the last mayor?” I asked, growing increasingly disturbed.
“Unimportant.” Mosavi took another puff of his cigar. “Obviously I cannot change Willa’s mind, so you need to be willing to let me groom you for this position.”
“You are such a deceitful wolf,” Willa said. “You have been wanting Cody since he arrived.”
“I hate politics,” I said. “I don’t even follow the presidential elections.”
