Celeste lifted her chin. “And neither is my mom.”
The shadows stilled at that.
The Priestess’ gaze deepened.
I saw the moment she noticed Celeste fighting back tears. The moment she realized my daughter had understood what the tears could do and was refusing to give them.
A strange flicker passed through her eyes.
Interest.
I hated that more than anger.
Keegan saw it too.
He moved just enough to put himself between the Priestess’ view and Celeste, though the pit shivered at the motion.
“You gave your word,” he said.
The Priestess’ brows lifted. “To let everyone go.”
“If Maeve stays,” Gideon said.
Her gaze rested on me again. “If Maeve stays willingly.”
The word curled through the room.
Magic loved technicalities. Villains loved them even more.
I drew in a slow breath and forced my fingers to loosen at my sides. My shadow mark scar burned and pulled now without the pendant, but I didn’t flinch. I wouldn’t give her that either.
“I’ll stay willingly,” I said.
Celeste made a small, broken sound.
Keegan’s jaw tightened so sharply I could see the muscle jump.
The Priestess extended one pale hand toward me. “Then say it properly.”
Gideon’s eyes flashed. “Careful.”
I didn’t look at him. If I did, I might lose my nerve.
“What do you want me to say?”
“That you accept my invitation to remain in Shadowick until our conversation has come to its natural end.”
I almost laughed.
As if she’d invited me over for tea and not taken my mother and daughter and unleashed nightmares on half of Stonewick.
Stella would have had a field day with that wording.
My throat tightened at the thought of Stella and at Nova, Bella, Ardetia, Caleb, my father, and all the witches and goblins who had flown into this darkness because they trusted me to lead them out again.
I had to lead them out, even if I wasn’t walking with them.
“I accept your invitation to remain in Shadowick until our conversation has come to its natural end,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt.
