access to her magic, yes,” Nana finishes. “I am aware.”
“Mother!” Darlene bellows. “You can’t—”
“You didn’t let me grieve!” Nana shouts right back, her own tears flowing freely down her face. “I just lost the love of my life, and you. Didn’t. Let. Me. Grieve! Your daughter was just tortured, for fuck’s sake, and you still came here for your own malicious intent. All of this power has gone to your head, my daughter, and this is the only way I know how to save you. Maybe in time, you’ll figure out how to fix things with your own child. Trust me. You’ll thank me for this one day.”
“You can’t do this.” Darlene tries to take a step backwards, but two of the male warlocks are suddenly there, holding her steady. “You can’t fucking do this! You can’t take away my magic!”
“Get her out of my sight.” Nana rips her eyes away from Darlene and focuses on her trembling hands.
“No! Please, no! Mom!” Darlene is still screaming as the warlocks drag her away.
Ryan remains at the table, shaking from head to toe, and only when she’s gone does he glance up at me through dark lashes.
“I-I’m sorry,” he stutters. “For everything.”
I don’t want to talk to him. Hell, I don’t even know what I’d say to him. He came here with every intention of forcing me into a marriage he knew I didn’t want. Uriel’s brother or not, I don’t think I can ever forgive him for that.
Ignoring his plea, I focus on Joshua, who is speaking softly with my nana. “You know what’s going to happen now.” It’s not a question, but Nana takes it as one, nodding her head slowly.
“You’ll need to come down to the council’s headquarters and declare to the ancestors and the earth itself that you renounce Darlene Simone as your daughter,” Rose adds.
“You’re taking away that woman’s magic,” the older man snaps. “I would think about—”
“I already did,” Nana cuts in. “It was either her or my granddaughter. I made my choice, and if you think I don’t feel guilt over it, you’re wrong. But my decision is final.” To Rose, she says, “I’ll come down with you guys today. I want this over with.” Her voice trembles slightly as more tears cascade down her cheeks. “I want my daughter back.”
Joshua places his hand on her shoulder and gives it a squeeze.
“You made the right decision,” he whispers to her in reassurance, and she manages a shaky smile.
“So is this over?” Karsyn asks tentatively. “Is this finally over?”
Joshua turns towards us with a brisk nod. “Because you guys are bonded, you’ll no longer have to worry about us. Now, I can’t promise you that you won’t run into any more obstacles. Emmett was only one of many Bloods. And there are still the witch hunters to consider…” He trails off before smiling warmly. “But you no longer need to fear the witch’s council. Or your mother.”
“Oh, thank fuck,” Cassian gripes. “That crazy bitch was giving me a headache.”
The rest of the witches and warlocks begin to file out of the house, Nana trailing behind them. I stop her before she can leave with a gentle hand on her arm.
“Nana, are you sure?”
The frown on her face transforms into a timid smile as she presses a watery kiss to my forehead. “Yes, my sweet girl. I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”
“We’ll look after her,” Christian assures me, and he too offers me a wobbly smile. It doesn’t quite reach his eyes, I’m not sure if it ever will, but at least it’s a start.
Polo gives my shoulders a squeeze before he follows after his brother and girlfriend.
Soon, it’s only me, the Devils, and Joshua who remain.
“I’m happy for you, Peony. Truly,” the young councilman says softly. His green eyes spark like emeralds in the artificial lighting of the kitchen. “You’re not the scared little girl you once were five years ago.”
“I’m not,” I agree. “And I have you to thank for that.”
“Me?” Both of his eyebrows jump up in surprise.
“You were kind to me when no one else was,” I confess. “You gave me the strength to fight back.”
“I’m glad. You truly are a special girl, Peony. Maybe we’ll meet each other again someday.”
“In your fucking dreams,” Cassian mumbles from beside me. I elbow him in the stomach.
“Oh, and I almost forgot…” Joshua snaps his fingers, and all four of my Devils’ pants fall to the ground.
“What?” Karsyn stares confusedly at his