Jason:Caught on the estate perimeter an hour ago.Armed. Had her photo and a tracking device keyed to natural magic.
Brandon was already moving.
He grabbed his go-bag—always packed with defensive implements—and added the material for Armand. Then he was out the door, wards sealing The Glas Tann behind him with enough force to rattle windows.
The Collectors weren't circling anymore. They were here. And they'd come armed.
15
TRUTH REQUIRES WITNESSES
MURIEL
Muriel satcross-legged on the floor of Armand's library, surrounded by leather-bound volumes she wasn't reading. The words had stopped making sense an hour ago.
TheCodexsat in her lap, humming softly. Not the usual rhythmic purr—this was different. Gentler. As if the ancient grimoire was offering what comfort it could.
Or maybe it missed Brandon as much as she did.
Your father didn't abandon you,Armand had said, his voice gentle as he'd broken the news Jason had uncovered.He died protecting your mother. Protecting you.
Declan Rourke. Consilium operative turned protector. He'd taught her mother the wards that had kept themhidden for thirty years, then died defending them with his last breath.
And her mother—her mother had felt every moment of his death through their mate bond.
Just like Muriel would feel Brandon's if something happened to him.
The thought made her chest ache. The part of her bonded to him didn't care about lies or manipulation, only the comfort and peace he offered. The rest of her was still bruised and betrayed.
Not just by Brandon, but by her mother as well.
Her mother had kept the truth about Declan to protect her from the pain of knowing. She had let Muriel believe he was just another lying mage rather than reveal the devastating reality.
Brandon had kept the truth about the bond for the same reason. Thinking he was protecting her.
They were both wrong, regardless of their intentions. She was so tired of other people deciding what truths she could handle.
Her eyes burned, swollen and gritty from crying. The door opened.
“There you are,” Ana said softly. “We've been looking for you.”
Muriel swiped at her eyes and looked up to find the entire cavalry: Ryssa, Tedi, Dani, and Jessie, wearing expressions that said they knew exactly what had happened.
“Oh no.” Muriel's hiccup-sob-laugh was bitter. “This is an intervention.”
“Damn right it is,” Dani said, dropping onto the couch. “You've been hiding in here for hours, and Brandon’s walking around looking like he's lost his best friendandsomeone kicked his puppy.”
Muriel knew just how he felt.
Jessie sat beside her on the floor, bumping Muriel's shoulder the way she had since they were kids. “Talk to us, Ree.”
“About what? The fact that I've been magically manipulated?” Muriel's voice cracked. “Or should we talk about how everyone knew about the mate bond except me?”
“Most preternaturals can sense that kind of magic,” Ana said, settling into a reading chair. “But it wasn't our place to tell you. That was between you and Brandon.”
“Except Brandon didn't tell me either. He just let me wander around thinking it was a simple resonance binding.”
“Stop.” Jessie's voice was sharp. “That's not how mate bonds work, Ree.”