"Wait," Savannah said. "I want to know about Lucas first. Is he okay?"
"He's fine, Savannah. Now--"
"What happened to him?"
"We delayed his escape, but not unduly. Last time we saw Lucas, he was in the hands of the paramedics. Unconscious from smoke inhalation, but otherwise uninjured."
As he spoke, Savannah kept darting concerned glances at me, taking in my reaction. Gabriel Sandford followed those glances with interest.
"So you didn't hurt him?" she said.
"Harming Lucas Cortez would cause a diplomatic incident of epic proportions. Killing him would start a blood feud the likes of which the Cabals haven't seen in over a century. A Cabal son has absolute immunity. That's what I'm offering you, Savannah. You'll never need to hide again."
He paused, checking to see if he had her full attention now. He did.
"About the ceremony," he continued. "Yes, there is a version that enhances a witch's employability in a Cabal, though it's a far cry from enslavement. You won't undergo that, though. There are several other ceremonies you can choose from--"
"I want the one Paige was going to do. The one my mother wanted."
"Done."
She blinked, then recovered and sat straighter. "And I want Paige to do it. No one else."
"Done." Nast stood and crossed the room to sit beside her. "I'm your father, Savannah. I want what's best for you and, in matters of witchcraft, I trust your mother's judgment. If you wish to have a more experienced witch perform the ceremony, I'll provide that. But if you want Paige, that's fine. She can stay with you until next Wednesday and she'll perform the ceremony your mother chose for you."
"Then what will happen to Paige? After the ceremony?"
"She'll be free to go."
Savannah slanted me a look. "What if I don't want her to go?"
Nast hesitated. "I'm sure Paige has her own responsibilities with the Coven--"
"They kicked her out. They're all stupid and useless. She's too good for them anyway. If I stay, Paige stays. She can be my tutor."
"No offense to Paige, but we have far superior teachers of witchcraft."
"Then she'll be my companion or my nanny or something. That's what rich kids have, isn't it? Servants? I want Paige. She stays with me and she gets to learn everything I learn."
"I don't think--"
"Package deal," Savannah said. "Take it or leave it."
He took it.
CHAPTER 42
MR. NAST'S WITCH
"I didn't mean it," Savannah said after we'd returned to our bedroom, which had now been equipped with a working light. "About the servant part. I was just saying that."
I barely heard her. I couldn't remember the walk back to the room, couldn't remember who'd brought us or what they'd said. All I could hear was Savannah's voice, accepting Nast's proposition.
"You're mad at me, aren't you?"
"No, I'm not mad. Just ... confused. It's a lot to take in. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, about him claiming to be your father."
"Things got pretty crazy. You wanted proof first. I guess I understand that."