Page 34 of An Oath at Midnight

“What exactly did she say? What words did she use?” Iris asked.

Rose was silent for several seconds. “A favor, at a date and time of her choosing.”

“There was no mention of who,” Iris said. “She’s a powerful witch who dabbles in dark magic. You think pissing her off is a good idea?”

Okay, that was enough skulking in the kitchen.

“This is my mess. I’m not asking Mags to clean it up for me,” Rose said, her startled gaze slicing to me when I walked out into the hall, Bram right behind me. “You’re here,” my sister said, guilt written all over her face.

“Yep, and I heard every word.”

Rose paled. “Mags—”

“What does Agatheena want me to do?” I said and felt Bram close in behind me, volatile energy radiating from him.

“I don’t want you involved with this.” Rose crossed her arms. “Just forget you heard anything.”

I snorted. “Well, that’s not going to happen.”

“Tell her,” Iris said.

I could have hugged her but was having one of those days when touch wasn’t something I could tolerate.

Rose sighed and pulled something from her pocket. “She wants you to take this to her.” She held up a small vial.

“Why me? And what is it?”

“It’s blood from a very powerful vampire. Another debt apparently. Ronan collected it.” Rose chewed her lip. “I have no idea why she asked for you. It makes no sense. She and I made the bargain. If I’d known she’d do this, I would have told her to shove it.” Rose cursed, looking worried. “I don’t like this. She’s half demon and extremely powerful.”

“She wants me to deliver it, I’ll deliver it. Everything’ll be fine.” I shoved my hands in my pockets as a tremor moved through them for some unknown reason. “And I’ll even keep my attitude in check so she doesn’t eat me.”

“Don’t even joke about it. I’m not actually a hundred percent sure that she doesn’t eat people.”

“Awesome.” Shit was just getting better and better. Yesterday, I woke up and it was like any other day. Within forty-eight hours, I learned Bram was bound by a silencing oath, my sister was accused of murder and was in hiding, the mother called me, and now I had to visit a witch who may or may not be a cannibal. I’d obviously pissed the fates off somehow. “There has to be a reason she’s asking for me.” I took a steadying breath. “Maybe it has something to do with my task?”

Iris sucked in a sharp breath, and Rose’s eyes went huge.

“Your task?” Iris said. “What do you mean, your task?”

“Magnolia?” Rose whispered.

“How did I not see it,” Iris bit out, not letting me answer either of them. “Look at her,” she said to Rose, “She’s barely recovered. Show me,” my sister said.

I knew what she was asking and lifted my shirt, showing her the vine markings on my stomach and back.

“Holy shit,” Rose said.

I dropped my shirt. “My words exactly.”

“It’s too soon.” Iris planted her hands on her hips. “What the hell is going on?”

“My guess? My trial has something to do with this mess with Willow.”

Rose blinked rapidly, then yanked me into her arms, hugging me tight. I had to fight my wince and the urge to pull away. She needed it, and I had to let her. When she pulled back, she looked up at Bram. “Thank the goddess you have wings, at least you didn’t have to fight your way there and back.”

Bram’s entire body went rock solid beside me.

Rose frowned, not missing his reaction. “You were…there, weren’t you?”