Broken Bonds (Lizzie Grace 3)

“If you want to have any sort of relationship, I’d certainly advise it.”

“It’s good to get these things sorted beforehand—fewer missteps to be made. To that end, be aware that you can wake me any damn time you please, with coffee or without.” His eyes took on a devilish glint. “But preferably without coffee. Or clothes.”

The waitress arrived with our drinks. Once we’d both placed our food order, he leaned across the table and caught my hands in the warmth of his. The seriousness in his expression had my pulse racing again, but this time for all the wrong reasons.

“Before we go any further,” he said softly. “There’s something you need to know.”

I briefly closed my eyes and knew without him saying another word that this was it. That the next few seconds would be make or break for Belle’s and my hopes of having a long and happy life within this reservation

The council had finally come to a decision about us.

Chapter Three

Fear surged but just as quickly died when I caught the spark of happiness in his expression. It wasn’t bad news. It was good.

Even so, I wasn’t about to celebrate until I actually heard the words.

“I was called into a council meeting this evening,” he continued solemnly, but with the happiness spreading.

“About Belle and me?”

“Yes.” He paused, and I had to fight the urge to rip my hands from his, slap his arm, and tell him to just get on with it. “They’ve bent to pressure and have decided to allow you to stay despite the fact you weren’t honest about being witches.”

Even though I’d already guessed the result, the wave of relief that hit was so damn fierce tears stung my eyes. I blinked them away rapidly then gave in to that urge, ripping one hand free and then slapping his arm. “Damn it, you had me petrified for a few seconds there.”

“I didn’t mean to. I’d thought you’d guess the result given I couldn’t contain my joy.”

“I did, but that doesn’t negate the fact that for a second there, I panicked.” I sent Belle a quick message and, as her mental whoop of joy echoed through my thoughts, added, “Who besides you was pressuring them?”

“Anyone who has ever eaten in your café, the ladies of the gossip brigade, my pack, a good portion of the Marin pack, Ashworth—”

“Ashworth?” I cut in, surprised. “Why on earth would they listen to him considering he’s only temporary and they don’t like him anyway?”

“Because he told them in no uncertain terms that it’s only thanks to your intervention that the wild magic isn’t more problematic than it is.”

I frowned. “Why would he say that when it’s not true? I’ve used the wild magic but I’m certainly not able to properly protect it.”

I had helped Ashworth out when he’d gone up there to protect the place, layering a final line of defense around the main wellspring that was unlikely to stop anyone of true power.

Besides, it was only thanks to Katie’s presence within at least a portion of the reservation’s wild magic that I was even sitting here tonight. If not for her intervention, the bullets that had smashed into the café door and through my car’s headrest would have instead done to my brains what had been done to our dark sorcerer’s.

“He said you’ve an unusual affinity with the magic here, and that they’d be the biggest damn fools ever if they let such a rare connection go.” He smiled. “Of course, Ashworth being Ashworth, he then went on a ten-minute rant about how their inaction with the wellspring would affect the entire reservation for years to come, and that the darkness we’d witnessed in the last month or so was only just the beginning.”

“Gabe said the same thing.”

Aiden nodded. “I’m not sure the council actually believe the whole Katie and Gabe thing, but I think Ashworth finally got through to them. It’s why they finally contacted Canberra for a permanent replacement.”

“I’m surprised Ashworth didn’t put himself forward for the position.” Especially considering his intention of finding out what was going on with Belle and me.

“The council did offer it to him, though I think it was a case of better the devil you know. He turned them down—said they needed a much younger witch who was more up-to-date with the latest in spellcraft.”

“I guess today’s event proved that. Neither of us have any idea what sort of spell had been created.”

“Something that was mentioned when Tala was called upon to give them an update on the murder.” Aiden released my hands and then picked up his beer. “To your continuing presence here on the reservation.”

I lightly tapped my glass against his. “To not having the best damn brownies you’ve ever tasted leave the reservation.”

He grinned. “Definitely.”