“Amabel isn’t a front-line fighter,” I went on, trying to ignore how my body was reacting. “She’s not going to willingly go head-to-head with anyone, let alone three lethal dhampirs. You might be gentle with me, but I know you’re far from it when it comes time to work.”
“Careful, sweetheart.” Zane’s mouth quirked up at one corner. “You’re going to make us blush.”
“Amabel will use subterfuge and trickery rather than risk a direct fight,” I ignored his flirting. “She’ll want to find a way in that seems safe, that lets her maintain the element of surprise. She’ll most likely track down this water witch that Foster told you Eluned used. Amabel will replicate her sister’s plan, but do it better.”
“So we set a trap.” Casimir was already on my train of thought.
“With what bait?” Koa asked, suspicion in his dark eyes
“Me, of course—”
Zane’s chair exploded backward, silencing me.
“Over my rotting corpse, princess!”
Koa growled, “No. Just no.”
Casimir went completely rigid beneath me, his body transforming from warm comfort to unyielding stone. I felt his breathing halt, then resume with deliberate control.
“Hear me out,” I said, raising my hands in a placating gesture. “I could—”
“No.” Casimir’s single syllable rattled around the room like thunder.
“We’re not using you as bait,” Koa added, his voice a dangerous rumble. “Notever.”
“Are you trying to give us heart attacks, menace?” Zane paced around the room. “Becausethat’sexactly how you give three dhampirs simultaneous heart attacks.”
I sighed, recognizing their protective instincts were in overdrive after today’s close call. Even though I’d expected this reaction, it still made something warm bloom in my chest to see their immediate protection of me. And I had to admit, I wasn’t really comfortable being the bait. If my magic was replenished, it wouldn’t even be an issue, but I’d squandered the tiny bit I’d regained on the stupid crawfish.
“Beloved.” Koa crouched before me, calloused hands framing my face. “We spent years learning how to bleed so you wouldn’t have to. Let us handle this.”
“Okay, okay,” I said, raising my hands in surrender. “I’m not the right bait, anyway. All of her focus will be on finding Eluned to either free her or eliminate the threat.”
“She’d kill her own twin?” Zane squawked.
“To keep her from spilling secrets?” My eyebrows flew up. “In a heartbeat. Just remember, Amabel will come prepared. Far more prepared than Eluned. She’ll have backup plans, nasty spells ready, and an ace up her sleeve.”
“Pfft.” Zane waved a dismissive hand, his confidence bordering on arrogance. “We’ve handled more powerful witches than a teenage girl before.”
“Don’t underestimate her,” I warned. “She’s Arabesque’s daughter and an expert at illusionary magic.”
“Actually,” Koa interjected, standing abruptly and moving to a cabinet in the corner, “I’ve been working on something that might help with that.”
He rummaged through a drawer and took out what looked like a pair of tactical sunglasses, sleek and modern with the lenses glowing blue.
“Magi-goggles,” he announced with pride, holding them out to me. “Got the idea from Angelo della Morte. He can’t see magic or power without using a hex stone, which is a pain because they wear out quickly.”
“So Koa decided to play mad scientist,” Zane smirked.
“I integrated magic with technology,” Koa corrected with a superior look. “Just like with my spy eyes. I made him a pair to see most types of magic, then I thought, why not try a pair that can see through illusions? I only have this prototype right now, but at least one of us will be able to use them and alert the others.”
I examined them. They were lighter than they looked, and the craftsmanship was impressive. The knowledge that they’d be able to see through Amabel’s illusions made me feel better about the plan. It wasn’t foolproof, but it gave them an edge, and me just a little more peace of mind.
“This is amazing, Koko,” I breathed. “You really are a genius. But how do you work with magic when you don’t have any?”
“Remember Emerson del Vecchio told you his wolf pack had a full coven? Well, most of them are Angelo’s relatives. This is my second collaboration with them and, since it benefits Angelo, too, they work for free. Win-win, yeah?”
I nodded, then my eyes widened as I realized something.
