No. Nope. No way. “I don’t want to be a coven leader. I don’t want to be part of a coven at all. I’ve had enough of that for one lifetime.”
“It could be temporary,” Beth said. “Just until this is over and we join a new coven.”
“I don’t know…” Even temporarily, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. I hadn’t even tasted freedom yet, and now I was tying myself down.
I’d already tied myself to Lucas, but Mr. July was worth it. But anything more…
“Do it,” Raphael said. “Then she can’t use us to get back at you anymore.”
“You’ll still have your freedom,” Lucas said. “I’ll make sure you travel and take all the courses they offer at whatever college you choose. I won’t let you give up your dreams.”
“Please,” Beth said. “I don’t want to be tied to her anymore.”
I clenched my fists at my side. Every part of me rebelled against this. “But not a blood oath. Just the normal one.”
Beth gave me a sharp nod. “Fine.”
“By Claudia de Santos before whom this sanctuary is holy,” Beth, Raphael, and Shane said the words as one. “I will be true and faithful, and love all which she loves and shun all which she shuns, according to the laws of God, magic, and the order of the world. Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to her, on the condition that she will hold to me as I shall deserve it, and that she will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to her and chose her will.”
As they finished, I felt the oath tighten like a noose around my neck, binding me to them and them to me. It wasn’t that I couldn’t bear it—I just didn’t want it. I didn’t want the responsibility that came with it.
The magic snapped into place, and if I’d been bone tired before, now I felt half-dead.
The phone rang, and Adrian left to answer.
I made my escape to the bathroom. I needed to wash my face. To take a breath.
When I came out, Adrian was waiting for me. “St. Ailbe’s has been attacked again. We’ve got to get there. Can you get us back like you got here?”
I shook my head. “Not without making another bargain with a fey. I think one—”
“You made a bargain with a fey!” Raphael yelled from his bed. “You bonded with a wolf and made a bargain with a fey? What were you thinking? Why would you do this?”
Well, I guessed he was feeling a little better. “I did what I had to in order to get back here in time.”
Before he could speak up again, Lucas bent down and picked me up. “We need a place to shower and sleep, clothes, and food.”
Adrian grabbed a key. “Take my room. It’s next door. I’ll order you room service and then get to work on arranging flights for us all.”
“I’ll grab you some clothes.” Shane moved past us. “You’re bigger than me, but I’m the closest fit.” Shane was built thick and very tall. Adrian was cut and tallish, like all the wolves, but Lucas was at least a few inches taller and much more built.
“I’ll find some things for you, Claudia.” Beth hurried out of the room.
I rested my head on Lucas’ shoulder. I felt him walking, but my eyes were heavy. Everyone was safe and alive. It would take my brother a bit to recover, but he would. The oath was broken, and everyone was safe from Luciana for now. My job was done. I could finally rest.
And so I let the darkness take me.
Chapter Twenty-Five
I woke to the sounds of people talking and the smell of food. My stomach rumbled and I sat up.
The talking stopped.
I rubbed my eyes and saw Lucas and Adrian staring at me over a pile of food. “What time is it?”
“Ten in the morning,” Adrian said.
“What time did we get here?”
“Two. You’ve been asleep for eight hours.”
I fell back against the pillows. “I could sleep for another twelve.”
Adrian snorted. “No kidding. How many days did you stay awake before you left for Peru?”
“Uhh.” I scratched my head as I thought. “I think I got two or three hours the first few nights at St. Ailbe’s. Then, I pretty much stayed awake for three days straight. Although I passed out in the infirmary for a couple hours. So…”
“And how did you sleep now?” Lucas asked.
I thought about it for a second. “Like the dead. It was amazing. Best night of sleep I’ve had in years.” I felt Lucas’ pleasure at that, and smiled. This whole thing was new, but it was nice knowing that my sleeping well made him happy.
I struggled to sit up again. “I’m going to shower. Save some food for me?” I didn’t wait for an answer. I went into the bathroom and started the water. Some of Beth’s clothes were sitting on the counter. In the rush to get here, I’d left my backpack in the forest. I guessed all those clothes were history. What a waste.