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“Shit. She found Aiden?” The concern echoing through his voice was real.

“Not yet. She needs the essence of an O’Cillian to find him.”

“Thankfully, the only one you know is in Ireland,” he said.

“I fear my dance around my identity may not work with her.” I walked toward the plantation, eager to return to my starlight, to let her know I was fine.

“Then perhaps it is time to come home and find a new plan?” His suggestion was sound if it hadn’t been for the fact I would need to leave Rory.

“See what you can do to locate our brother?”

“I’ll try.” Conall’s voice was strained.

I shivered at the unspoken sentiment. The last thing we needed was for the Coven of the Blood to have both the Cure and the knowledge of where to find our brother. It would open too much danger for us. I was all for balance between light and dark, but at what expense?

“Thank you, brother,” I said, my voice gruff. “And do be careful.” I didn’t wait for his response as I ended the call.

Aurora

It had taken me longer than usual to get dressed this morning. An ache gripped at my heart, my denial to Mac of what he needed from me tearing me apart. If my blood tasted half as good to him as his did for me, no wonder he craved it so badly. His ashen-white face had been gaunt and pulled, closer to stone than I had ever seen him. But in his eyes had burned a raging fire, a beast waiting to be unleashed. How had I let a vampire into our home, into our coven? We kept the balance, and I had allowed evil in.

I found myself outside, in the shade of one of the large oak trees around the house. From the lowest branch hung a swing, secured by ropes since I was young. I sat on it and gave myself a slight push. A smile betrayed my inner thoughts as the sadnesswas overtaken by the memory of Jade and I chasing each other in circles before seeing how high we could each go as we pumped our legs fiercely into the air. Life had been simple then.

“A penny for your thoughts, a quarter for the beauty of your smile.” Valentina’s voice warbled as she leaned upon the cane assisting her walking, strands of her white hair escaping the low bun at the nape of her neck.

I dragged my feet on the ground, the soles of my shoes causing a scraping sound as they powered into the dirt. “I didn’t see you there,” I said.

“You look perplexed.”

I nodded. “I am.” I hesitated, not knowing if I should tell her about Mac or not. She was the oldest witch in our coven. She had known both my mother and my grandmother. My stomach knotted as I wondered what her opinion was, but I was afraid to ask.

“Does this have anything to do with the vampire you took to your bed last night?” She gave me a knowing smile.

Heat rose from the blood reddening my cheeks. I should have known Amara would tell her. I nodded.

“You don’t get to my point in life without a man or two to regret.” She winked as she spoke and leaned forward on her cane. “And you know, the crones are here to listen and guide, not chastise.” She hobbled to lean against the tree. “Your secrets are safe here.”

I smiled as she gazed at me, genuine concern in her eyes. “I don’t even know where to start, Val. I never intended to fall in love...”

“But you did, and now you’re afraid you’ve made a mess of your future—of the coven.” It wasn’t stated as a question. The old woman spoke as though she could see into my heart.

I nodded.

“And what did your High Priestess Regent say?”

I looked at the ground, tracing a tree root with the tip of my shoe. “She told me to follow my heart, but then she had Lyra steal from us.”

“Did she steal from you, or did she hasten the return of our magic to our coven?”

I tilted my head, curious where this lesson was going, and found her gaze. “What’s the difference?”

Valentina held my eyes in her deep green gaze. “Did she take anything from your heart?”

I shook my head as I thought about Mac since the grimoire was taken. If anything, we were more of a couple than we had been before, facing the challenges Aunt Amara placed in front of us together. And Mac had been nothing but supportive of my path for the coven. “No. Mac and I have acted as one.”

“As partners—”

I nodded.