Page 42 of Firedrake Betrayal
The collector is the bigger threat here. To all of us. Yet, I would prefer it was him and not who I think it is. “Maybe.”
Meliah steps forward. “I have to monitor Brennan as he heals so he can stay with me. A coven member left town for a short vacation. It might be safer to stay at her house than here. It won’t take long for Atticus to find you here.” The witch looks at the broken glass. “If he hasn’t already.”
I swing my legs to the floor and Shep grips my arm, helping me up.
Jade doesn’t move. She’s frowning at Meliah. “I want to stay with him.”
Meliah’s expression is sympathetic. “That might not be a good idea.”
“Because?” Jade prompts.
“If Atticus goes after your dad, you can’t protect him, and he can’t protect you,” Dominik answers bluntly. “Butwecan protect you.”
She looks at him, clearly not believing him.
“He has a point,” Shep says. “When Atticus had someone ram your dad off the road, he grabbed you and left Brennan behind. He will want you more.”
“But I don’t know you,” Jade says to Meliah, “and I’m supposed to just trust a stranger? I’ve tried that trusting game before and it came back to bite me.Literally.”
“Meliah won’t hurt me.” Brennan’s voice is faint, barely audible at all.
Jade is across the living room and beside her dad a moment later. “Dad?”
Silence.
“He’s still healing,” Meliah says, joining Jade.
Jade looks at Meliah. “And if Atticus attacks?”
Meliah lifts her chin. “Then he won’t find a helpless witch. I have ways to protect my home and the people in it. Atticus doesn’t know your father is with me. I can give Brennan the time he needs to heal. Then he can join you.”
Jade chews her lip, wavering. “And you’re sure you can heal him?”
Meliah nods. “Heishealing. It will just take time.”
Jade gives her a long look and then, sighing, bends to kiss Brennan’s forehead. “I’m putting a lot of trust in you to look out for him. More than I should for someone I don’t know.”
Meliah nods. “I know. It is not misplaced.”
Jade gives her a searching look then sighs. “Okay.”
It takes minutes to gather our belongings so we can leave the rental.
“Come here, vamp, I’ll make sure you don’t faint again.” Patten grins as he steadies me and Shep picks up Brennan to take him to Meliah’s car.
Patten rests his hand on my shoulder and refuses to let go, guiding us to the front door while Shep tells Dominik to grab our bags.
Dominik’s lips pinch.
Jade steps forward. “I’ll help with the bags.”
Dominik watches Jade pick up Shep’s black duffel, grinds his teeth together, then stalks over to her and snatches the bag from her. “I will carry this.”
She nods, turning away. “Then I’ll go grab the others.”
“There won’t be space for all those in the car.” Shep nods at the suitcases Dominik’s driver set down.
“Those clothes are expensive,” Dominik says tightly.
