Page 93 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Tay’s hand falls to his sword. “This conversation doesn’t include you, heir.”

“It does when you seem incapable of saying kind things to the blood summoner.” His amber eyes cut to me, scanning my face, lifting my chin to peer close. “Are you alright?”

Swallowing, I push away the pain and sigh. “I’m fine.”

His lips twitch. “Liar.”

“Keep your voice down,” Tay threatens. “If the volunteers hear what she is?—”

“They’ll what, Witch?” He mocks, dropping my chin, warm hand finding the small of my back. “I have all the faith she’ll end them before they take one step toward her. And if not?” His fangs grow the slightest bit, a warning to everyone around. “They’ll deal withme.”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Tay grumbles under his breath, “The point is not to let her magic do that.”

“What? Be vicious?” He shakes his head, smirking. “Her magic is magnificent. It’s your kind who thinks it’s evil. Far from it. It should be revered, not feared.”

“I assume that’s why you’re here.” My friend glances at his hand on my body. “Why you fed from her. You want her magic. You see Max as some weak girl who will fall for the slightest bit of romance.”

My heart twists.Is that what Tay thinks of me?

“Say one more thing,” Kaden vows, “that insults her and your sister will find your head pinned to atree outside your Coven.” His eyes narrow. “I can guarantee it.”

Tay stops as Kaden’s threat hangs between them.

Gently, I place my hand on Tay’s shoulder. “Go to Nafre. I’ll stay here.”

“And do what?” He snaps. “You’ve no skill that would help the volunteers. And you don’t represent the Blackwoods Coven. Being here would only be a waste of time for you and put you in serious danger.”

He’s angry, lashing out, but his eyes plead with me. Under all the fights, the unkind words, he still worries about me.

“We know what the men think of you.”

“She’ll stay with me,” Kaden says, shrugging.

Tay scoffs. “Why? To use her as a personal feeding source?”

The heir grins, but it’s filled with malice. “A good faith gesture. The raid will conclude and I’ll honor our bargain to help you rebuild. As long as the blood summoner stays with me until the end.”

Tay quiets, mind spinning. He can return home and still get the partnership he wanted from the summit.

He just has to leave me behind.

I don’t have the strength to see what he’ll choose. I already know the Coven comes before our friendship. What is left of it.

“Go,” I insist. “I’ll be here.”

“And at the end?” He looks to the heir. “Where will you go when it’s done?”

My mind flashes to the Blackwoods Coven, to my hut and small collection of books. My trunks left at the palace that were supposed to be sent back to Nafre. Everything I own is there.

But my heart rebels.I don’t belong there.

“I’ll figure it out when that happens,” I whisper.

“If you stay,” Tay murmurs, “you’re vulnerable. Your magic is uncontrollable.”

“Are you saying thisbecause you care, Witch, or because you’re afraid?”

My friend glares at him. “I’m not afraid.”