“Claire will die,” he continued. “But it’s imperative we keep the other sister away as well. You’ve just said the two that have joined are a threat. It would be wise to keep that threat from growing, even if it can’t rise to the apocalyptic scale.” Intel on the last witch was a secondary reason, but it provided good cover.
“Claire,” she repeated with a musical lilt. “You know her name?”
“Of course I do. I’m a master of collecting intelligence on our enemies.” He purposefully stressed the word our, playing up the unconfirmed alliance. “I need to know if there’s a way to neutralize her so I can extract further information before I kill her.”
She heaved a sigh. “A blood oath will keep her from practicing magic.”
“How?” He needed the details, and he needed them now.
“If she mixes her blood with yours or whoever she’s promising, she will be bound to that promise until she dies.”
“There’s no way she can break it?”
“Only the person who owns the oath can break it.” She gave him a sly look. “If you carry that oath, you do realize you’re placing yourself in a dangerous position. If the sisters find out, they will search you out relentlessly until you break it. You could never allow that to happen.”
“I’m a warrior, Gwen. I will die before I let anyone break me.” Although he doubted anyone on the mortal earth could kill him or one of his brothers.
“Hmm…” She nodded. “I do admire that about you.” A soft caress fluttered over his cheek.
He ignored the feeling. “Tell me the exact specifications of this blood oath.”
Dru waited another twenty minutes after Gwen had departed the area to be certain he wouldn’t give away his secret. One whiff of Claire’s presence sailing on the wind, and he’d have the whole damned coven flocking down on him.
He descended the stairs and opened the thick, metal door that had kept her immediate presence a secret. She waited inside, sitting on the mattress, still chained to the bed. He was grateful she hadn’t struggled and hurt herself this time.
Her amber eyes reflected a darker hue, her face a mask of anxiety.
“Who was here?”
He strode forward and sat on the bed next to her. “Another witch.”
“Witch? Is that what I am then?”
“Did you not know?” He couldn’t imagine it being so, but her power did hold a raw, untamed edge. Not to mention, other than her trying to seduce him the previous night, he hadn’t sensed any particular use of magic.
She shook her head slowly, obviously bewildered by the information. “My mother or sister, the woman you compared me to, she must be a witch then as well. That’s how she summoned me.”
“Yes.” He knew he played a dangerous game, giving her any information, but he’d learned if he allowed a few tidbits, it paved the way to trust, and he’d eventually gain much more.
“Why did she wait so long to find me?” Pain and confusion painted her expression, longing evident on her face.
He took her hand and unlocked the handcuffs, rubbing warmth back into her fingers. “I can tell you this and so much more, but only on one condition.”
Her eyes brightened, but still held wariness. “What condition?”
He braced himself for the fatal move, the one that would end the war if he succeeded. “As a witch, you have power. Possibly, more power than you realize. I’ve already told you of our destinies, and you’ve denied your intent to do harm.” She nodded.
“I’ve discovered a way that can render you harmless without taking your life. If you agree, I can tell you all you wish to know and more. It requires a blood oath between us, giving up your ability to cast spells, but it will protect you and your family along with the rest of the world.”
“My family?” She said it with such wistfulness, reviving his long dead heart. “There’s more than one person?”
He nodded. Using those words had been a calculating move on his part, another cannonball volleyed in this emotional and intellectual battle. “You’ve said you don’t want to harm anyone. The oath will prevent you from doing so, and it will erase the need for me to take your life. I’ll be effectively killing your powers, which will satisfy the prophecy without actually having to kill you.”
“Then we would no longer be on opposite sides?” she asked in a soft voice.
“No. We could be friends.” Or more. He stared into her beautiful eyes, wondering if there might be