“Good,” she said. “I like you ruined.”
“One day, I’ll return the favor.”
His gaze matched hers, challenging, and she grinned. “You can try.”
CHAPTER 33
SEAN
“So that’s my pitch,” Sean said, pacing the sitting room while Bel, Kywyn, and David sat on the couch, watching. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re annoying,” David said. “Can you not just sit down?”
He shook out his arms. “Gotta move. Restless.”
After learning of the Sending, Sean removed the metaphorical mirror from his wall and threw it to the ground, letting it shatter into a million mercurial shards. Looking backward achieved nothing. He couldn’t continue to pretend this wasn’t happening or wish to go back in time.
The window, however, was too blinding.
Sean chose the prism. He peered into its crystalline depths and split his world into compartmentalized, manageable pieces.
The first? Shifting the Council in favor of a renaissance of the Exorcism.
“Can I interest you in alcohol?” David asked. “Maybe a hard blow to the head?”
Sean shot him a look.
“Fucking also works.”
Kywyn coughed, while Bel turned a glare on David.
“You would know, right?” Sean asked. “Could barely get you out of your bedroom for this conversation.”
“Have I mentioned how much I regret that decision?”
“I can’t just lie around. I have other things to worry about.”
David hummed. “Sounds like ayouproblem.”
With a sigh, Sean continued his pacing, ignoring Isobel’s clenched jaw. David knew the two of them had been sleeping in separate bedrooms since the day Sean had learned of the soul binding, but the man delighted in mischief. He also particularly enjoyed baiting Isobel.
“It sounds great, Sean,” Kywyn said, brushing past the whole exchange. He had that twinkle in his eye that spoke of pride, and Sean couldn’t help but grin. “They’ll have to listen when you put it so succinctly.”
He wasn’t sure about that. The Council had been fickle with every idea he’d put forth, and what he proposed now was a giant overhaul of the Exorcism. Bowenn was on board with his plan, which counted for a lot, but Nish was resistant to change.
“It’s well thought out and it makes sense,” David said, “which means they’ll probably hate everything about it.”
Isobel rolled her eyes. “I think they’ll love it.”
“Of course you do,” he said. “You’re a sycophant.”
Kywyn cleared his throat before an argument could break out. “If they agree to this plan, this will take a great deal of work.”
Sean nodded. “I’ve already worked it out with Bowenn. It will be hard, but…it’s good, right?”
His father smiled. Isobel nodded.
David just stared. “Are you fishing for compliments?”
