coat pocket. “I’ll send Dulcinea to do it.” He sent her a text explaining what was going on, then put the LMD away. “I’m sure Lally will fill her in on what happened.”
“Won’t Dulcinea end up coming over here then? She’ll think Hugo’s trying to put me away.”
Loudreux grunted and looked out the window.
“No,” Augustine answered. “I told her it was handled.”
“Something the situation with the witches is not. Which reminds me, Olivia says she saw someone in the house, through the mirror. The description fits Giselle.” Harlow put the ice back on her shoulder.
He ground his teeth together. “So much for Nekai’s ward. I’d love to know how she got around that.” He shot her a look. “We’ll discuss the details of her visit when we’re alone.” Because he certainly wasn’t about to discuss the lightning tree in front of Loudreux.
“Agreed.” She sighed. “What are we going to do? We’ve got to get Cy out of there.”
“And Pellimento’s son.”
Loudreux perked up. “Senator Pellimento?”
Augustine nodded. “Yes.”
“Where do you have to get him out of?”
Augustine shifted his gaze to Harlow. They hadn’t talked about how much anyone outside of their immediate circle needed to know. The look she gave him in return said she understood completely.
Loudreux leaned toward them as if sensing their reluctance to talk. “Senator Pellimento hates the fae. If her son is in trouble, I say let him rot.”
Augustine turned to look at him. “So she can bring a world of hurt down on us? Yeah, that sounds like something you’d like.” His LMD chimed. “Hang on a sec.” He checked the device. “Dulce says Lally’s home. Do we need her for anything else?”
“We might,” Harlow said. “Considering what we were just talking about.”
“I’ll tell her to stick around. Knowing Lally, she’ll enjoy the company.”
“You mean having someone to feed.”
Augustine laughed. “That, too.”
Loudreux tipped his head back and sighed in frustration. “I’m still Prime. I demand to know what’s going on.”
Augustine snorted. “You might still be Prime, but—”
Fenton pushed the kitchen door open as Augustine was speaking. “He’s not Prime anymore.” He looked at Loudreux. “You were recalled by a majority vote. And Yanna was elected by the same margin. She’s Prime now.”
Loudreux’s face drained of all color. “You piece of… sturka. How dare you do this to me? To my family?”
Fenton shook his head. “You did this to yourself, Hugo.”
Yanna stepped into the room behind him. “Harlow, your indiscretion has been forgiven.” She smiled. “For my first act as Prime, I’ve granted Lally Hughes honorary fae status with all rights and privileges forthcoming. Obviously, she still won’t be able to travel via mirror solo, but anytime one of you wishes to take her through to see Olivia you may without repercussions.”
Harlow jumped up and hugged Yanna. “Thank you. That’s amazing.” Harlow released her. “I didn’t even know you could do that.”
Yanna grinned at Fenton. “Neither did I, but once again, Fenton knew.”
Augustine nodded. “That’s great, but one question.”
“Yes?” Fenton’s brows lifted.
Augustine jerked his thumb toward Loudreux. “What do we do with him?”
Fenton looked to Yanna. “Madame Prime?”
She took a breath. “As this was unexpected—although I must say it should have at least been anticipated considering your actions, Hugo—I will grant a grace period of three months for you and your family to find a new place to live.”
Loudreux sputtered. “B-but—”
“Hugo,” Yanna interrupted. “This house belongs to the Prime, as do the services of your head of security, Blu. She will be coming to work for me immediately, but as for the house, I’m being considerate giving you three months. Leave with your dignity intact while you still can or we’ll forgo the three months and I’ll have our very capable Guardian escort you out now.”
Loudreux’s mouth shut in a hard line.
Augustine nodded in approval. That was the smartest move that man had made in a long time.
Giselle walked the garden, trailing her fingers through a patch of tall ornamental grass. Everything had changed. The air smelled cleaner, colors were more vibrant, sounds vibrated through her body. The lightning tree had not only filled her with power but connected her to the earth in a way she’d never been before. Was this what it felt like to be a green witch? Was this how Zara experienced life, as part of the world and not just a spectator?
She stretched her arms out and embraced the sun’s dying rays. It was glorious. Like she’d been reborn. Like she’d been freed from a cage she hadn’t even known existed. And soon