Garden of Dreams and Desires - Kristen Painter Page 0,85

happen, did we?”

“No.”

“Where’s Zara? Recovering? I imagine she’ll sleep for a few days after—”

“Giselle.”

She looked at Ian. His face held a deep seriousness. “What?”

“Zara’s dead. You… or Ava Mae, I guess, snapped her neck.”

His words brought the memory of what Ava Mae had done back with a cold, hard shock. Giselle nodded stiffly as the scene played out in her head. It might have been her body, but she had definitely not been in charge of it. “I remember that now.” She crossed her legs and hugged a pillow to her chest in an attempt to stifle the pain. She almost broke, then reminded herself, “It’s no different than what she planned for me.”

Exactly, Ava Mae whispered.

“I don’t think she had it planned. More like it seemed the best way to fix the spell in the moment.” Ian shook his head sadly. “I had no idea she would even try something like that. If I had, I would have stopped her.”

“I know that.” Giselle lifted her chin, her chest aching with the loss as much as from the betrayal. “I am sorry she’s gone. We were just reconnecting. And she was the only close family I had left.” She swallowed down the emotion clogging her throat. “But if she’d had her way, I wouldn’t be here.”

“That’s right.” Ian nodded, moving to be next to her. He wrapped his arms around her. “I’m so glad you’re the one who made it.”

She rested her head on his shoulder. “Having Ava Mae’s spirit inside me is a little overwhelming, but the possibilities of what this new power can do for me—for us—are too great to ignore. I feel almost invincible. Like I’ve been surrounded by an impenetrable shield.” There was nothing that could hurt her. Us. Nothing that could stop her from accomplishing whatever it was she desired.

Us! Ava Mae shouted.

“So what now?” Ian asked.

Giselle ignored her to answer him. “Now we do exactly what we intended to do with the chaos spell. We find a way to take over the rule of this city just as we were meant to. The way our ancestors did.”

We will rule together, witch.

“Yes,” Giselle whispered. “Together.”

Ian pulled back to look at her. “Were you talking to Ava Mae?”

She nodded. “It must be confusing for you.”

“I don’t really understand it, but if you want to keep her inside you then I’m willing to go along with whatever you think is best.”

“What’s best is for me to rest.” She lay down on the bed and pulled the sheet over herself. “I am exhausted from all the preparations for the chaos spell, from almost dying and from having a very demanding voice inside my head. A few hours, that’s all I need.” Ian didn’t know about the lightning tree and she didn’t have the energy to explain that this spirit that had come to live inside her was the soul of that tree. She welcomed Ava Mae as a gift from the tree, but Ava Mae’s desire to be the one in charge was something she was going to have to get over. That was never happening.

I am stronger than you, witch. I am older. I know what needs to be done.

Ian kissed her cheek. “Get all the rest you need. I’ll be downstairs, working on a plan.”

Giselle closed her eyes and feigned sleep. I am the high priestess. I am the most powerful witch in this city. You either work with me or I will remove you.

I am the one with the power. Ava Mae’s anger manifested like an itch on Giselle’s skin.

She smiled. You have your own power, yes, but the tree gave you to me. To use as I see fit. And right now, I don’t need you.

You needed me at the pond.

You did save my life. I owe you for that. But you took my sister’s life, so I consider us even.

She needed to be taught a lesson.

I don’t know about that, but as she was going to kill me anyway, I’m letting it go. Now stop your incessant chatter or I’ll bespell you again.

Ava Mae went quiet.

Satisfied that her parasite was taking her seriously, Giselle asked her a question. What do I need to do to take over the city? She already had a good idea but she wanted to see what Ava Mae’s approach would be.

A moment passed without a reply and Giselle got the distinct impression that Ava Mae was pouting. At last, she answered. For us to take over the city,