Page 59 of Suspicions on the Stage
Morgana moves past me with Lucas in tow, stalking out the door without another word. Ignatius and Slade go next, leaving Li and me to bring up the rear. As soon as we shut the door behind us, I feel like I can breathe again. The pain in my chest from the casual cruelty Celestara displayed when she revealed her ‘big secret’ is intense, but being away from her makes it easier to push that down so I can function.
“She’d better find that goddamn unicorn,” Morgana says in a dark tone. “If not, I’ll be in front of another fucking tribunal with those judgmental old farts in Society again.”
I look over at Liam curiously as I ask, “Why is that?”
“Because when I decided to track down Magnus to end his reign of cruelty, I vowed toneveragain let someone who hurt me or the people I care about continue to breathe air on this planet.”
Liam tilts his head, murmuring softly, “You don’t need to avenge me,Salaadir. Angeline and her machinations were a very longtime ago. It sounds like she eventually paid for her sins via the contract terms, anyway.”
“I doubt she paid enough,” Lucas snorts. “That’s why Tall, Dark, and Broody is such a dick, right?”
My eyes narrow and I open my mouth to cut the whelp off at the knees, but the raven-haired woman stops short to do it for me. “Don’t be insensitive, Lucas. Despite his nasty attitude, Kaspar practically radiates unresolved pain, and now we know where it comes from. Poking a stick in an open wound is no better than being the one to set the injury in motion for your own amusement.”
The bear cringes, then shoots me an apologetic look. “Sorry, dude. Lady M is right; being shitty about you getting your heart broken for sport because you’re an ass to her solves nothing. Just… fuckin’ stop treating her like garbage so I can feel bad for you, okay?”
That might be the most honest request I’ve had in a long time.
“I’ll try,” I mutter in reply. “But I’d prefernotto discuss this shit in here… or ever.”
Liam chuckles as he claps a hand on my shoulder, while we navigate the chaos of the club. “My old friend, I don’t know that you’re going to get that wish. Our family prefers to talk through things rather than let them fester and you’ve already had a pass for too long.”
I frown at the others, but they seem to agree. “We’re not doing ithere.”
“Nope, but you will not avoid questions when we get home,” Slade says as he pushes up his glasses. His expression is rueful,but the look in his eyes is firm. “You can’t keep torturing everyone now that the secret is in the open. It’s not healthy for youorour family.”
“Besides, I simply won’t allow this to take focus away from the ridiculous amount of crap we have to deal with in the here and now,” Morgana adds. She winds our group around the tables on the floor with an admirable deftness, all while looking as if she wants to strangle someone. “My desire to eliminate that fucking demon doesn’t stem from your past, but the glee she took in tearing into scars in the present. Even if you hate me, past Morgana made a promise to herself that led to another dragon being beheaded. I suppose I’ll have to do some research on demons to prepare for our broker’s possible betrayal—the Society took the enchanted sword I used last time.”
What?
“That’s a genuine tragedy,” is all I can muster in response. “That type of weapon isn’t easy to come by.”
Iggy snorts as he rolls his eyes. “Of course it is. So many truly useful weapons have been co-opted by the damn humans and put on display; it’s a crime, if you ask me. When you pair that with the law against creating more items like them purposefully because of silly movies and TV shows…”
“Not the point, Iggy.” The musician chuckles, bumping the pissy professor back on track with his shoulder. “But it begs the question of where you got one to begin with, Morgana.”
The gargoyle smiles, her features full of wickedness as she shrugs. “I didn’t ask what deals you witnessed that gave you such plentiful info on the demons and their contracts, did I?”
“No, but?—”
I shake my head, looking around as we finally get to the front of Howl so we can exit. “Those are excellent questions—none of which should be answered until we are back in our safe space.”
For once, not a damn one of them argues and I’ll consider that the only win today.
home sweet home
MORGANA
The ride home was quiet, but I think that’s because everyone was so shocked at the turn of events atHowl.It’s close to the campus, and Li went with Kaspar—I assume to have a private chat about the shit Celestara shared. They should have time to talk alone, so I’m not concerned. Angeline, whoever she is, obviously almost tore them apart, and it was all for the want of fame and money.
I know how it feels to be only an arm decoration to trot out at the appropriate times.
As we pull into the drive, Slade taps my shoulder lightly. “Do you think they’ll be okay?”
“I do.” My response is firm; if Liam and Kaspar could move past it before, I don’t think this announcement will change their friendship. “But I don’t know how it’s going to affect the jackass and his behavior. He’s unpredictable as it is, and now a wound has been forcefully torn open. People in pain lash out, and I won’t allow him to take his hurt out on any of youorme. We don’t deserve it, nor is it fair to do so.”
Slade sighs, shaking his head. “I’ll never understand those who are so addicted to the idea of being in the spotlight. I’ve never enjoyed it, and it sounds like none of the people in our car have, either.”
“I quite enjoy being acclaimed,” Iggy says with a smirk. “However, it’s part and parcel of growing up in my family. They train us from the time we can talk to behave in ways that reflect well, and to sort the unsavory types from the loyal companions. I suppose it’s mage shit.”
