Page 31
She held up a finger. “Do not compare our trauma, Moira. This is not a competition. I never made such a foolish decision as you did that day. You were starved, weak, and out of magic. How could you be so rash?”
Evie’s eyes snapped with rage. Magic spiraled through her irises, and magic leaked from her palms.
I’d seen Evie pissed plenty of times, but never at me. Never like this.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.
She snorted. “What for? Dying? I know you aren’t sorry for going after your mother in your state. I can see it on your face. You’d do it all over again if you could.”
“I would,” I admitted. “I wanted to punish her.”
“And instead you let all of us watch you die.” She looked away, her jaw clenching. “I will never forget the sight of you in his arms, Moira. Not in a million years.” She buried her face in her hands. “And I will never, ever forgive myself for letting her take you.”
Oh. Oh. I reached my hand out. “Evie. None of this is your fault. Not a single second.”
Her shoulders shuddered. “This stops now. We have to agree never to lie to each other again. About anything. I can’t bear it if anything like this ever happens again.” She shook her head. “Swear it to me, Moira.”
Magic built inside the room, an ancient hum of power. The plants grew several inches as her power rose. Evie held her hand out. With the other, she reached for a thorned vine. A quick slice drew a bead of blood from her palm.
Her eyebrows rose as she waited for my decision.
“You don’t trust me,” I said.
Evie snorted. “I trust you with my life. But you have such a low opinion of yourself that you don’t think you’re worthy of help. You think your problems aren’t important enough to reach out. And that’s one of the many reasons we are here right now. That and your raging bitch of a mother. Swear to me you will call for me when you need help. Swear it, and I’ll never mention it again.”
Evie was beyond hurt, and I deserved it. I’d opened up some but never told her the entire truth. I glanced up and saw the IV bags. One of them was a deep burgundy color.
“Whose blood is that?”
Evie waved her palm. “None of your business. Swear it, Moira.”
I sighed and held out my hand. “Bossy ass.”
She gently pricked my palm and before I could protest, slapped our hands together.
Magic clanged like a cymbal. My blood sizzled and my heart thundered as the bargain was struck. Well. It really wasn’t a bargain more than a promise. I wouldn’t be able to not call Evie when I needed help. She’d strong-armed my ass.
She released my hand. “I’m still mad at you. I think I’m going to be mad at you forever.”
“I know.” I glanced down at myself and saw I was wearing duck pajamas. A raspy chuckle shook my chest. “You dressed me?”
“You’re lucky I didn’t put you in Buffy pajamas.” Evie came over and sat on the edge of the bed.
I linked our hands together. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
The words were the sincerest apology I could make. I never wanted to cause anyone pain. My mother had caused so much hurt and strife, and all I wanted was to make sure she never had the chance to hurt anyone else. In my desire for vengeance, I’d hurt everyone I loved, and there was no excuse for it.
Evie squeezed my fingers. “I want you to be happy, Moira. That’s all I ever wanted for you. But you have to want to live. Loving ourselves is the hardest thing a person can do. But it’s worth it.” She smiled. “Don’t throw your life away in your quest for vengeance. You have people who love you, who want you here for the long haul.” She leaned forward, her blue eyes filling with tears. “You are the best friend I’ve ever had. If I lost you, my heart would shatter into a thousand pieces. But you have to want to live. For yourself. I’m not selfish enough to demand you live for me. None of us are.”
A sad smile graced her lips. “Not even my father, though he pretends he’s an arrogant ass most days.” She leaned close and brushed my cheek with her lips.
Ancient, furious magic rolled over the room. Evie’s eyes tightened at the edges. “I’ll see you soon.”
Her gaze focused on something on the other side, and she hurried away.
Cernunnos came into view. He wore his human disguise today, though the male could never fully diminish what he was. His hands were in the pockets of his jeans, and he stopped a few feet away.
“Hi,” I breathed.
