“I need more details about this spell,” Zav says. “You two have been leaving us in the dark and I don’t like it one bit.” He wags a finger in admonishment.
I run a hand through my hair and sigh. “My captors utilized a witch of Ava’s bloodline to bind me to them so that I couldn’t escape. It was their only hope of keeping me for their experiments. Otherwise, I’m too strong and too powerful for them.”
Celine looks at Ava. “Do you think you’ll be able to break the spell since you’re from the same bloodline?”
“I think so,” Ava replies, but I see her hands shake a little in her lap. “No, I will. I have to.”
I hate that my fate has been placed entirely on my mate’s shoulders. I don’t like the idea of her burning herself out to try to save me. If it comes down to it, I’ll willingly give myself over to whoever this organization is to keep Ava safe. She’s so new to her powers that she risks burnout if she tries bigger spells. I fearthose powers that exploded from her and vaporized those vampires turning inward, and something tells me this won’t be an easy one to undo.
CHAPTER 41
AVA
I dial Luna,and she picks up in one ring. “Mission is a go, bitch. I’m going to need you to bring some candles and a large fry from McDonald’s, extra salt.”
“Uh … what mission?” she asks, confusion heavy in her tone.
“Mission protect Valen and all of us,” I reply. “I found a spell.”
“Is this a good idea?” she hedges. Her hesitation grates on that part of me that’s desperate to help Valen. “You’re still a new witch, Ava.”
“I have to try something,” I grump. “Are you going to help or what?”
“Of course.” She sounds offended that I’d even suggest that she wouldn’t.
“Great, just bring the goods.”
I hang up before she can say anything else.
“Mission?” Celine asks,sitting on a kitchen stool with a glass of wine. “I thought this was girls’ night—at least that’s what you insisted to the guys when you forced them to leave.”
As if anyone can force Zavier and Valen to do anything. I just happened to mention that there was a new bowling alley opening and they were looking to start some leagues. Since Zavier is weirdly obsessed with the game, I thought he’d enjoy it, and I figured that Valen could do with some guy time. Although now that I think about Valen and Zavier sequestered together on a bowling team, Celine just might be down a mate.
“Itisgirls’ night.” I tuck my stubborn strands of flyaway hair behind my ears. “It just happens to include a little spell work.”
Her eyes narrow. “Shouldn’t Jade be here?”
“No,” I snap. “Because she didn’t exactly approve of all of this.” I gesture around to the dimmed apartment. “I know she wouldn’t help me since she wants me to go slow, but Celine, I have to try something.” I hope she hears the desperation in my voice. “You saw how many vampires came for Valen in those tunnels. They didn’t want us. They wantedhim. I have to protect my mate, and I don’t want you injured again either. If this were Zav, wouldn’t you be doing the same?”
“Hey.” She takes a sip of her wine. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t help. But I will be pleading the fifth when the guys find out what we’ve been up to.”
I plant my hands on my hips and try to ignore the feeling of Pom Pom pawing at me to get picked up. Hopefully he won’t tattle on me to Valen. “They’re not going to know—not unless I manage to break the spell.”
She arches a lone dark brow. “Or something goes wrong.”
“Nothing’s going to go wrong. You’ll see.”
Twenty minutes later, Luna knocks on the door with a bag of candles in one hand and a McDonald’s bag in the other. I snatch both from her.
“I still don’t understand what the fries are for,” she says, closing the door behind herself.
“I’mhungryand my period is about to start. I always crave McDonald’s fries when it’s coming. Plus”—I give the bag a shake—“we need salt for the spell.”
“You don’t have any salt?” Celine asks. “I could’ve brought some.” She purses her lips.
“This was more fun.” I stuff a handful of fries into my mouth and drop half of one on the floor for Pom Pom. “God, I’m starving. I should’ve had you get a burger too.”
“What do you need all the candles for?” Luna asks, taking the empty stool beside Celine.
