Page 35 of The Girl in the Forest

“An original queen,” I pointed out. “According to Aine.”

“Someone you said was as batty as Fee.” Grayson’s dismissal annoyed me, and not only because he stared into the night instead of arguing face-to-face. I thought he was provoking the argument because he wanted a fight.

Mace did, too, judging from his challenge. “Afraid they’ll give you another prophecy?”

Grayson’s snort was sharp and brief, while Mace seemed ready to argue. Fallon’s professional mask was back in place. Her glance slid over Mace with only a passing hesitation before she centered on Grayson. “The witches never bothered you before.”

“They don’t bother me now.”

“It’s information, Gray.” Fallon set aside her glass. “Coven records go back centuries. If anyone understands ancient magic, they do. Just ask the right question.”

Grayson glanced toward her and asked, “You’re volunteering to go?”

Fallon picked up a broccoli fleurette, snapping it in two before she tossed both pieces back. “I’m not you.”

“You don’t need me to ask questions.”

“Maybe we need you to hear the answers.”

Tension swept through the room, squally and uncertain, telling me this was an argument that started long before tonight. But for some reason, Grayson’s seconds wanted to settle it in front of me while he definitely considered it already settled.

Grayson turned his back.

Fallon switched to sorting through celery as if looking for the right stalk, while Mace crossed his arms.

The cognac burned in my stomach, and I left the glass on the table. “So… the Gemini Witches are what?”

“A coven of seers.” Grayson stared through the night-drenched window as he spoke. “In every generation, they choose two to sit in a cave, back-to-back and above a vent spewing fumes like the ancient Oracle of Delphi. They’re hostile, vindictive, and if you don’t ask a precise question, the answer they give is gibberish.”

“Then you ask a precise question,” Fallon argued. “Take Noa. Have her ask a different question.”

Grayson turned, and when he stared at his second… when he held the cognac glass to his lips… he was shutting everyone out.

I couldn’t stop the words. “What’s wrong with asking questions?”

Fallon answered. “It’s a business transaction. You give them something. They give you something.”

“What do you give them?”

“More than you can spare.” Grayson’s teeth snapped.

My chin jerked up. “Argue with facts, not insults.”

“Fine.” The testiness in his tone turned brittle. “You’ll expose your soul. Reveal every pain. Show them how deep to dig before they rip you apart.”

“Gray,” Fallon cautioned.

But the argument she’d started was now one between Grayson and me, and I was ready for it. He didn’t get to bully me, not after the way he stayed with the Carmag because they needed him and I didn’t. I was just fine without him.

“It’s not like I haven’t been ripped apart before. You’ve done it more than once and I survived.”

“They’re in Alpen territory,” he said through gritted teeth. “Where I am not taking you.”

Outrage flared. “Would you say that to Mace or Fallon right now?”

His glare turned volatile. “Did you learn nothing from Metis? Because I guarantee you, the Gemini Witches are twice as bad. A witch died at the Gathering. They won’t forget it. And they won’t forgive it.”

“They might have information we need.”

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