Ravana shook her head. “They shove you into boot camp, work you half to death, and still keep their secrets. Call it what it is. Meanwhile, we spoil you rotten and ask for nothing back. You really are the worst guest.”
I narrowed my eyes. “There is no such thing as a free lunch. I saw the five Westwater Intentions.” I poked the air in her direction. “You want me in your family and are using every tool you’ve got to convince me to stay.”
“Damn right we want you.” Ravana slapped her leg. “Everyone wants you. But you? You’re the only guest rude enough to turn down hospitality just because you might actually like it.”
I bit my lips together. The tethers in my lower back ached, like they always did when the past came to haunt me.‘Every home begins as a stranger’s walls. Let me make these yours.’Gandalf’s voice haunted me. I’d let him take care of me, just like I’d joined the druid’s followers as they danced under the full moon. I’d let that happen to me. Instead of confronting my emotions, I’d run.
Teivel was real and was forcing the families to test my free will. I couldn’t escape this time.
My gaze flicked to Ezra, studying each newcomer like an enemy. His plum-purple hair—his freedom—was gone, his swords hidden in my tent. Stripped of everything that made him untouchable, he’d still come for me. Love stabbed so sharp it hurt.
I could escape. With a thought, I could teleport out of here… but I’d finally found something worth fighting for.
“Fucking hell, Quinn. Think any harder, and I’ll get a headache.” Ravana threw her hands up in the air. “You’d be absolute garbage in a pit fight. I can see you flipping over insults now to see if they were valid instead of hurling them back at your opponent.”
Brit giggled.
I snorted. “You’re not wrong.”
“We. Are. Celebrating!” Ravana punctuated each word with a pop of her hip.
I stood. “What are we celebrating?”
Ravana took my hand, guided it above my head, and spun me.
“Dalila, my niece, got her first cycle today.” Ravana winked.
The blood drained from my face; it worked. My shock turned into something warmer.
Brit leaped into the air with a whoop. “Fuck yesss.”
The two danced, then each grabbed an arm and pulled me into the throng, where bottles of fermented plum passed hand to hand. Harsh liquor burned, making me cough.
A Westwater clapped me on the back. “Good stuff, eh? Georgia brews it. Better than fightin’.” Thankfully, he wandered off without noticing Ezra seconds away from breaking his arm.
The shadow mage took the bottle from me, drank deep, and passed it on. Music sprang to life. A drum thumped along with wailing guitars amplified through billows. The doors burst open,and the room flooded with Westwaters. I was swept into a line of dancers. I had no clue what the steps were, just like at Xan’s Mixer, but the chaos, the laughter, the pulse of it all sent my blood racing.
To my surprise, Ezra took my hand. “Everything’s in eights,” Ezra murmured, lifting his palm for me to mirror. His hand lingered close to mine, steady and sure, guiding me through the chaos.
Last time, Ezra had pushed me toward strangers. Tonight, he stayed at my side, steady as the music, no matter how the dance tossed us. I stumbled over feet, mine and everyone else’s, as the room pulsed with its own life. The dances spun me from one laughing partner to the next, but I always ended up back with Ezra, steady and sure, knowing every step by heart.
Dalila, still decked out in her goth attire with pigtails, found me and gave me a massive hug. “Thank you!”
Before she could say more, the throng of people now packed into Ravana's room swallowed her back up.
Flushed and a little drunk, Ezra guided me toward the exit.
Silas leaned against the door, blocking us. “Don’t mess this up.” He crossed his arms over his chest with a bottle gripped in his meaty fist. “In two days, she takes her first ‘free will’ test. I won’t give you up, but I won’t defend you either.”
Ezra raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know what you're talking about. I’m just a cousin.”
Silas raised a bottle and took a sip before passing it to Ezra.
“Then, cousin.” Silas slid out of our way. “Enjoy the party.” He looked at me. “A pleasure as always.”
We slipped into the hall and out a side entrance, only to find small groups of others who shared our need for fresh air. We made ourselves a spot, and I leaned against the cool stone building.
“How did you know all those dances?” I asked.
