Page 67 of Witch Unexpected
“See you at supper.”
“More food?”
“Always. Seven pm sharp.”
“I’ll be there. And then patrol?”
Bramble shifted from foot to foot. “I dunno, Cora. After what just happened, I doubt even Sloane will risk taking you on patrol.”
If I was going to be an anchor, if I was going to give up so much of me, then I needed to see why. “I’ve met the varga and the banshees, and I’ve been attacked by a slau. Might as well say hi to a revenant or two.”
Her eyes twinkled with mirth. “And I thought I was the crazy one.”
“Oh, you’re definitely crazy, but…” I shook my head and exhaled. “I’m so fucking glad you are. I’d be dead otherwise.”
She shrugged and ducked her head. “Yeah, whatevs. No big deal.”
But it was.
And so was what Jasper had done.
It was a huge deal, and I wasn’t sure how to process it just yet.
* * *
Okay,so I might be lost. This place, for fucksake, why weren’t there signposts? Fuck, was this even the right floor, and why was there never anyone about to ask for directions when you needed them?
This floor was all burgundy carpets and dark polished wood. Corridors shot off left and right, and staircases wound up and down. Urgh.
Not even a ghost to set me on the right path. At this rate, it’d be supper time by the time I found my way to my room.
I took a random turn onto a wide corridor with high ceilings and beams. Wait, this looked kinda familiar.
Raised voices drifted toward me, and I slowed my pace. A rectangle of light cut across the hardwood, spilling from an open doorway to my right.
“I’ve explained the situation to you. I’m not sure what else you expect me to do.”
I knew that haughty tone.
“Now, there’s no more to discuss,” Anna continued. “What happened was unfortunate, but a necessity. The Grimswood ancestors did what had to be done to save us all.”
“Oh, I beg to disagree,” a man replied in a frosty tone. “You took what did not belong to you. You tricked The Sons of Adam, and now they are waking, they will require retribution.”
“Are you threatening me?” Anna bristled.
“No, Ms. Winthrop. Consider this a friendly warning.” But there was a definite edge to his tone, and the hairs on the back of my neck trembled.
“Then consider this, if you come for her, then you will be met with the full force of the Grimswood Coven,” Anna said.
“You have no idea what they’re capable of, do you? You may have tricked and taken from them once, but they will not be fooled again.” His tone dropped to a lethal purr. “Their vengeance will be horrific. I suggest you give them what they want.”
“What they want is not an option. She is irreplaceable,” Anna said. “Surely you understand what that means?”
“Then you will suffer the consequences.” His voice deepened, and a shiver of foreboding ran over my skin.
Anna whimpered. “But—"
“Hush!” the man said.
