How could he do that?
How had he continued to work alongside me knowing that he’d messed with my fucking memories?
It hurt more than I wanted to let on, more than I wanted to acknowledge.
Judging by the understanding written all over David’s face, he knew exactly how much Zane’s betrayal hurt.
For once, I swallowed down my knee-jerk response and reached for some semblance of the truth. Meeting David’s gaze, the unassuming support I found there made the words tumble free. “I don’t know if I can face him.” I scrubbed a hand over my face, wanting to block everything out. “The police want me to sit in on their interview with Zane and I said I wanted to talk to him first, but…” God, this was so hard. I hated admitting weakness, even in the safety of this room. “How am I supposed to look him in the eye after everything he did?”
David’s grip tightened. “You don’t have to talk to him if you don’t want to. We can send another witch in your place. What Zane did was unforgivable. He betrayed your trust, his coven, and every rule the council put in place to protect us.” I opened my mouth, unable to stop myself from defending him despite everything. David shook his head, smile sad. “I know he had his reasons for doing what he did, but that doesn’t absolve him from the consequences of his actions.”
My shoulders slumped. “Has the council decided what to do with him?” Every coven had a representative on the witches’ council. They were our ruling body outside of the paranormal police.
The council had instigated my nine-year magical ban, and they’d decide Zane’s fate alongside the police.
“No, not yet.” David grimaced. “His coven isn’t cooperating, and the police have yet to conclude their report into the whole thing.”
Without meaning to, I traced my thumb over the mark on my wrist. David caught the movement and his expression darkened.
“I always thought they were way too heavy-handed with you. I argued againstthat.”He grimaced, gaze dropping to my wrist. “But I was overruled.”
His words took me by surprise, and he offered me a wry smile.
“I’m sorry, Nick. I should’ve told you that before now, but it seemed pointless, considering my opinion changed nothing in the end.”
It changed something for me.
All this time I’d assumed my coven were one hundred percent on board with my punishment, especially David. It never occurred to me that wasn’t the case.
“Thank you,” I whispered, “for telling me that.” I wanted to say more but couldn’t get anything else out past the sudden lump in my throat.
He nodded, patted my shoulder, and stepped back. “Take a seat and let’s get this over with so we can enjoy the rest of our time together.”
I swallowed down the rush of guilt at keeping the rest of them at arm’s length for so long and took a seat in the middle of the table rather than at the end like I’d originally planned.
With a vow to do better in future, I took a deep breath and did the last thing I’d expected when I walked through the door. I told the people around the table, my coven, everything that was on my mind.
I held nothing back, and by the end if it, the relief was almost overwhelming.
Who fucking knew it would feel so liberating?
Mase. He’d have been the first to tell meI told you so.
Even after so many years apart, he’d slipped back into the role of my best friend as seamlessly as if he’d never left. I had a feeling I was going to need him over the next few weeks.
David sat forwards, hands clasped on top of the table. “Like I said before, if you want to request someone else go in your place, I’m happy to contact the police on your behalf.”
I shook my head. “Thank you, but I want to do this.” I swallowed. “I need to.”
“Because he gave you his club to run?” Jasmine lived down the road from me and was one of my closest friends in my coven. “Because you owe him fuck-all loyalty after what he did.” She was also fiercely protective and wanted to skin Zane alive.
“It’s not that.” Well, not only that, because a small part of me still felt loyal to him despite everything. “I want to ask him why he did what he did.”
David frowned. “I thought he’d already given his reasons?”
“Yeah, but…” How did I explain that we’d heard his explanation in the heat of the moment when Rys and Axel’s lives had been at risk? I wanted the opportunity to sit down, look him in the eye, and have him tell me again when I was calm and not running on adrenaline. At least I thought I did. “I’ve not spoken to him since he was arrested. I think I just need to.” I didn’t have an explanation that they’d understand. I didn’t have one that I understood, only a gut feeling.
David nodded. “Then I think you should do it. His magic will be contained. There’s nothing he can do to you in that regard, and remember your defensive magic is still active. If you’re in danger, it’ll kick in and you’ll be able to protect yourself and anyone with you.”
