This Coven Won't Break - Isabel Sterling Page 0,66
I’m supposed to start.
Finally, the detective runs a hand through his hair, his posture deflating, making him look much shorter than he is. “What’s going on, Hannah? This isn’t like you.”
There isn’t any judgment in his tone, only curiosity, but I feel myself tense anyway. Feel myself grow bitter and sharp. “Alice came to Morgan’s. She told us about the Blood Witch. She told us what happened to him.” My throat closes, and everything the anger was trying to hide comes rushing forward. “Why did you let the Elder recruit me? Why didn’t you force me to stay out of this?” Tears turn the room into a blur of soft colors, but I press on, unable to stop.
“I’ve fucked it up at every step. I let Morgan come with me to Brooklyn, and she could have died. Sarah lost her magic. Cal and I were almost shot. The Hunters murdered David, and I can still feel his blood on my skin. I can still see him whenever I close my eyes.” Hiccupping sobs steal my words, and I bury my face in my hands. “We’re out of time to set up the raid, and the Hunters are still killing us. They’re going to keep killing us until we’re all gone, aren’t they?”
Archer doesn’t tell me I’m wrong. He doesn’t tell me that everything will be okay. I glance up when the silence stretches on. He looks sad. Impossibly sad and lost and scared.
The tears start all over again. “I’m right, aren’t I? We’re fucked.”
He shakes his head and buries all the naked worry behind a composed mask. “There isn’t an easy solution,” he says, confidence infused through his tone. I don’t trust it. Not after I saw the feelings he’s trying to hide. “But we’re not giving up. We’re making progress. Progress that wouldn’t be possible without you.”
I wipe my face dry and sit in his desk chair. “You’re just saying that so I’ll stop crying.”
“No, Hannah, I’m not.” He crosses the room and kneels so we’re eye-to-eye. “I know what happened at the hotel was awful, but if Riley hadn’t followed you and Morgan there, we wouldn’t know about their plans for an airborne drug. Alice might not have agreed to help us without that.”
“But Eisha—”
“Eisha Marchelle contacted Alice earlier tonight. Her supervisors approved the magic show for Monday. We’re in, Hannah. We’re going to destroy the drug. We’re going to strike our first major blow against the Hunters.”
A tiny, withered stem of hope tries to break the surface, but it’s been beaten down so many times, I don’t think it’ll ever fully rise again.
“And Elder Keating reached out to the Casters you told us about. They’ll be here tomorrow. They’re going to help us.” Archer rises to his full height and reaches out a hand, helping me to my feet, too. “You did that, Hannah. You. Don’t discount the impact you’ve made. Don’t let the Hunters turn you into someone you’re not.”
“I don’t—”
“The Hannah I know wouldn’t threaten to murder someone or throw random potions into their cell. You’re better than that.”
“But are we really?” I feel it again, the desperation that sent me into the basement in the first place, the realization that I have no fucking clue how to stop the Hunters without turning their own methods against them. “The Council is planning to kill them. How does that make us any better?”
“It doesn’t,” Archer says, which surprises me. I can’t read his expression. “I don’t like the Elders’ plan, because you’re right. Killing them would make us just as bad as they are. I hope it won’t come to that.” He knits his brows and tilts his head to one side. “How did you even know about that part of David’s research?”
“Umm . . .” I don’t want to lie, but I don’t want to get Cal in trouble, either.
The detective sighs and shakes his head. “Cal. Of course.”
“He didn’t—”
“Cal and I are the only ones who know besides the Elders. He also told me that he’s working on alternative plans, so I’m not surprised he shared his thoughts with you. I know you two are close.” Archer turns and leans against the windowsill, staring out at the backyard. “I also know you decided to drop out of the raid.”
“Are you mad?”
“No.” He glances over his shoulder. “Even with Alice getting us in, it’s still a risky operation. You’ve dealt with enough danger to last a lifetime. I’m glad you’ll be here.”