Page 26 of Just a Little Wicked (Wicked Sisters #2)

Connor

So what are you and Winter really doing?

Erikson

I told you already.

Connor

And I’m calling bullshit.

Connor

Erikson?

Connor

Jesus. You’re as hard to get a hold of as Winter.

E rikson’s skin crawled at the flat statement, and he caught a flash of sympathy in Winter’s eyes.

The more he heard about the Shadow Council, the more certain he was that that they needed to be put down permanently.

From what Winter had told him, they’d been killing indiscriminately for centuries, and the current Wickeds in power appeared to be as blood-thirsty as their predecessors.

He knew Winter’s mother had begun working with the Witches before her death. She’d wanted to emulate the Witches’ government structure and return democracy and community to the Wickeds, and she’d been killed for it. She’d been the epitome of a threat to the Shadow Council.

From what he’d gleaned though, the Shadow Council were enforcers for their own kind, and Atlantes’ mother had been a Witch. So how had she ended up on the Shadow Council’s radar?

“I’m sorry,” Winter said sincerely. “What happened?”

A muscle flexed in Atlantes’ jaw. “They came in the middle of the night and tortured her until she broke, all while I was out sinking myself into my first woman.”

Atlantes’ voice dripped with disdain for himself. It was clear he’d never forgiven himself for finding pleasure while his mother was being delivered pain. Those were the sort of scars that could turn a man into a total asshole—and in this case, had .

“What did they want to know?”

Atlantes’ knuckles turned white on his mug, and he flatly shut down the topic by asking a question of his own. “Why does the Shadow Council want to employ you badly?”

“Because I’m a strong seer.”

“Didn’t you see this coming, then?”

“First of all, the council shields itself from most seers, but I actually did see them coming. I tried to change the future, but it didn’t work. Either I join them, or they murder my family.”

“Perhaps they seek your other destructive skills; the ones you displayed outside.”

Winter grimaced. “I don’t think so. I sort of, um, just discovered that power. Today.”

Atlantes’ hand fell away from his mug. “Are you shitting me? You’re what, in your mid-twenties, and you still don’t know the scope of your powers?” He sounded genuinely appalled.

“My aunts muted my sisters’ and my powers most of our lives to hide us from the council,” Winter said through gritted teeth. “It’s not like we had a chance to practice.”

He tilted his head in grudging respect. “Your aunts did the right thing, then. From what I know of the Shadow Council, they certainly would have ended your childhood had they known how powerful you are. Your mere existence is a threat to theirs. You said you have a sister?”

“Two, actually. An older sister and an identical twin.”

He flinched. “Christ, there’s another one of you out there? What can she do?”

“That’s none of your business.”

He leaned back and scowled, a human storm cloud in an otherwise sunny day.

“I’ve been running across your kind for decades, but I have never felt the kind of power that you put out today, and it seemed almost effortless.

Controlled and knowledgeable, you’d be a terrifying force.

” He took on a thoughtful look. “There must be a very powerful Witch family near yours to balance out you and your sisters, or perhaps several Witch families. I’ll have to take a look at the latest census and records of magic levels.

I’ll find your little Witch friend yet.”

Erikson’s ears perked. “You have a census?”

Atlantes gave him a bored look. “Of course.”

“And you . . . test magic levels?” Winter asked. “How do you do that?”

“I don’t personally, but our government does.

They have a series of assessments they administer.

” He gave a harsh laugh. “I take it the Wickeds don’t even have that?

Cripes, you’re telling me there are a bunch of people running around with evil impulses and the power to destroy the world, and the only thing keeping them in check is an assassin squad? ”

Winter ignored that, because the answer was yes. “The council gave me a deadline. I have two days before I officially start my new job.”

“After your little display today, I’m sure you understand why I cannot allow you to join them. The consequences for Witches and humankind alike would be devastating.”

“It’s not your choice,” she said quietly. “I’m not going to allow the alternative to happen.”

The muscle in his jaw flexed again. “Why did you seek me out?”

“I had a vision of you at my sister’s wedding, which is supposed to take place in two days. In my vision, you told St—my Witch friend that you’d come to help.”

His green gaze was stony. “I guarantee I don’t have any wedding invitations hanging on my fridge.

I don’t leave the house unless I’m going into town for supplies, and I sure as hell don’t attend Wicked gatherings.

I have no clue how to help you out of this predicament.

Were you hoping I’d offer to shelter your family?

None of us would be able to physically stand each other for more than a few hours.

Did you think the Witches would rally behind you and take on the council?

Because I can assure you that although I’ve devoted my life to destroying the Shadow Council, the rest of my kind steers far away from any Wicked conflicts. ”

Erikson’s heart sank. Atlantes had been their only lead. If he couldn’t, or wouldn’t help them, where did that leave them? He glanced at the redhead beside him. She had purple smudges beneath her hazel eyes, and her normally straight shoulders were slumped in defeat.

“Please,” Winter said quietly. “You’re my only hope. I’ll . . . I’ll do anything. I’ll make any bargain. I’ll work for the Witches if you want, just . . . help me protect my family. I’m afraid that even if I join the council, it’s too late for them. My sisters are already in their sights.”

Erikson swallowed. That answered one question: she hadn’t been blinded by her current situation; she’d seen straight through the Shadow Council. She suspected, like he did, that this was only the beginning of what they wanted from her family.

Atlantes thawed slightly at her plea. “I don’t know how to help you, Wicked, but I’ll think on it. Don’t expect anything.”

She nodded. For all of her prickles and thorns, Winter hadn’t been too proud to beg for her family, and the knowledge did something uncomfortable to his insides. Apparently, he wasn’t just dealing with an inconvenient attraction to her; he now also admired her. A lot.

“Come on, Win.” He reached for her, his fingers brushing against the back of her hand, and the moment his skin made contact with hers she went taut, like she was being electrocuted, even as her expression slackened.

Atlantes cocked his head. “What’s happening?”

“She’s having a vision. My touch triggers them sometimes.”

“Now that’s interesting.”

“How so?”

“Why your touch?”

“I don’t know.” But the vaguest suspicion was beginning to form, one that he had absolutely no interest in exploring further, and so he shoved it deep into the back of his mind.

Atlantes studied Winter thoughtfully. “It isn’t a very practical power, is it? It appears she can’t control when she has the visions, and they leave her in a vulnerable state.”

A growl ripped from Erikson’s throat. “She isn’t vulnerable so long as I’m here.”

“Stand down,” Atlantes said mildly. “I’m not interested in tangling with you. I might have magic, but you’re a big motherfucker. Are you sure you aren’t a professional athlete? I swear I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

Erikson only grunted, refusing to give Atlantes any information that would make it easier for him to identify who their “Witch snitch” was. He didn’t know if Stacy had broken any Witch laws by helping them.

After a few moments Winter’s eyes refocused. He didn’t ask about the vision—if she wanted Atlantes to know what it was, she’d mention it on her own. It appeared she didn’t, because she remained quiet and pale as Atlantes glanced between them, his scowl deepening.

“Give me your phone number,” he barked. Winter stood and handed him her phone, swallowing repeatedly as she neared him.

He texted himself and then handed it back.

“I’ll consider your problem: not for your sake, but for the sake of all Witches.

It’s in our best interest that you and your sisters don’t join the Shadow Council.

Now, are you ready to leave? You’re literally a pain in my neck. ”

Winter huffed. “Absolutely. You’re making me sick.”

He walked them to the door, and as soon as they stepped through, he said her name. When she arched a brow in question, he said, “Don’t come back.”