Page 159 of Love & Heart Braking

Enzo nodded, and the tension in my shoulders eased. Devereaux would be here soon.

We set to dragging the broken stools into a back room where other furniture was stored. Annya and Enzo hauled one of the broken tables, while Rolli and I grabbed the other.

“Can you find the brooms?” I asked them. “I’m going to call the manager.” And Gug. I had to warn them to keep safe.

I returned to the conservatory.

“Miss Concordia,” a chilling voice said as I pushed through the swinging door.

I froze.

Slowly, I faced a row of people. Smolder Cineres. Bortyss Hucs. Li Boquit, and two others that looked close in age but whom I didn’t recognize.

Shitballs.

“Evening,” I said pleasantly. “How can I help you?”

Silence had fallen from the rooms back through the swinging door. I really hoped my cupids had the good sense not to make a peep.

I blanched, realizing Devereaux would arrive soon.

Li Boquit smirked, though her fists were clenched. “Your rebellion’s little trick with the fake forum and call gave us an idea of our own.”

Bortyss circled the other way. “Nice chat you just had with our dog.”

I clenched my jaw. The berserker had been a damn setup. “Master Hucs?”

He hissed, talons extending.

“Grandmother knew you had anti-love magic,” Smolder said, eyes bright with triumph.

My heart sank. They’d watched the entire thing. Cerys, you fool. “I don’t have anti-love magic.”

A hypnotic voice filled the conversation, and my eyelids dropped.

“Do you have anti-love magic?” Bortyss asked, gripping me in his thrall.

I slurred back. “No.”

The five exchanged a look.

A woman I didn’t know said, “But we saw the arrow.”

The fifth, a short man, hummed. “She can only tell the truth as she knows it. She is young. Could it be that she doesn’t know whether she has that magic or not?”

The hold on my mind slipped away, leaving the feel of an oily film in its place. I shuddered.

“You heard what she said about the arrow,” Smolder said to Bortyss. “That’s enough. The researchers can boil it down or something.”

He peered down his nose at her. “Stick to what you’re good at, Smolder. Leave the thinking for the sirens.”

I didn’t like Smolder one bit, but what a dick.

She glared at him, then focused on me. “Grandmother wasn’t happy about your demanding letter.”

White dots filled my vision as she covered the distance with a burst of speed and slapped me hard. I staggered aside, gasping through the pain.

She seized my arm in a brutal hold, and I gritted my teeth at the burn of her touch.

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