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"We should get back," Lucien said reluctantly

"I’m afraid to"

"Why?"

"In case we never have a ain"

"Caia" He pulled her up so he could kiss her tenderly "I promise you that after the storm passes there will be plenty ofback into the little strappy dress she wore, Caia did so, and hand in hand they walked back through the woods to their home

Where another surprise awaited the with Ryder in the backyard, their faces a perfect ?" Lucien picked up his pace

Jaeden shook her head "We’re not sure Marion’s here"

Caia’s heart jarred and she rushed past thenus, and Caia could tell i

She must know

"Caia!" Marion’s eyes lit up when she saw her "Thank Gaia"

Or not

"What’s going on?" she asked in trepidation

The ik took her by the wrist and led her all the way upstairs and into her old bedroo is a mess" Marion pushed her hair back frantically Caia had never seen her so uncollected before "My sister found out that certaininforet a handle on all ere involved - they’ve combined their power to manipulate the trace… so she has dissolved them The entire Council The Coven is in chaos there were actual riots inside the Center!"

Marita had dissolved the Council because of her Caia couldn’t believe it How could this be happening? This couldn’t be happening She felt breathless and faint, all of her plans cruht She hadn’t been prepared for the lengths Marita would go to, to rehts

"How"

Marion shook her head "She has witnesses from within the Council member’s households This level of treachery is unthinkable Nothing like this has ever happened before"

"How coed but the ue "She had no reason to suspect the" But Caia could see the uncertainty in her eyes This was insane Irrational And Marion knew it She was just… afraid

"Why are you here?" Caia asked softly

The witch scoffed at her question "I would have thought that was obvious"

Oh crap She does know about me

"Caia, we need you at the Center We held off because of Jae and Ryder’s ceremony, but it’s done now and we need you there to help control this situation Half of them admire you and the other half fear you, it’s perfect"

"Did Marita request this?"

"Who else"

Did Marita really think she would be stupid enough to return to the Center, to a trap? She must think I won’t be able to come up with a reason not to return with Marion

"OK," she io back I have to settle things with the pack I’ll get Lucien to drive oodbye now" Marion shook her head

"I can’t I ic Fitness won’t even be open by the tiet there"

"Like that will stop h of exasperation "Marita specifically told h Fine," she snapped, "I’ll see you in a few hours"

She disappeared i with relief She found Lucien waiting for her at the bottom of the staircase and she quietly related what had happened

"What the Hades are we going to do now?" he hissed

"I don’t know" She shook frantically, her heart feeling like it was going to explode "I don’t know"

She dodged quizzical looks fro roo scotch

"OK" She sher position on the stairs "Six heads are better than two I know it’s unfair but this is kind of an eet Jae and Ryder"