Page 101 of Blood that Burns
She knows.
“I do. But your secret is safe with me, Lawrence. It always has been.” She places her hands palms down on the table. “I might have been an advisor to your father, but there were greater powers at work, and he threatened the balance. What you did was necessary. Julian will see that. Confide in him.”
The breath is expelled from my chest as the grief and pain I’ve carried ease, leaving me feeling lighter. Freer.
“Now, on to more pressing matters. The demon and witch that Byron was working with—you say they’re in New Orleans?”
“It’s an educated guess at best. The fact that angels are roaming the city makes it the most likely.”
She nods her head, focusing her attention on the table. “You will find the answers in New Orleans,” she says, never looking up. Her body sways as she taps into something I can’t see. “But you won’t get them without Magdalena by your side.”
“Not happening,” I bite. “I will not put her in the middle of what’s happening there. Angels, demons, vampires... no.”
“Then you’ll get yourself killed,” she says so nonchalantly, I wonder if the camaraderie I thought we had is one-sided. “The hunters and angels aren’t messing around. All vampires die under their blades. You won’t be spared without her.”
“I can handle myself. Your cards should tell you that,” I say, nodding toward the tarot cards sitting next to her.
“I think we can do better than tarot,” she says, smirking.
My hands raise to my sides in anI’m all yoursgesture. She dips her chin in a nod that’s slow and measured.
Her eyes twinkle with unspoken knowledge, and for a quick second I wish I could read her mind. But then I remember the sayingbe careful what you wish forand shake that thought from my head. I’m sure the information she has stored there would frighten the hell out of me.
She chuckles. “You have no idea.”
I tap my chin with my pointer finger. “So you can read minds.”
She shrugs. “Only when the other party is unguarded. I find it fascinating that you, of all creatures, would come into this room without taking the proper precautions to shield your mind from me.”
“What’s the point? If I want an accurate reading, wouldn’t it benefit you to know just what I’m thinking?”
She quirks a brow. “Always so insightful.”
“On with it, Shante. You and I are both busy people,” I say, leaning back in my chair, awaiting whatever metaphorical hammer she’s bound to bring down on me.
The two of us could do this dance all night, but I want guidance that only she can provide. Things have shifted between Maggie and me, and I need to know she’ll be safe.
She closes her eyes and concentrates, playing with a stone she has in her palm. The black rock glides through her fingers, and I watch, transfixed.
“This is... interesting,” she says, pulling my gaze back to her face. “Things have shifted.”
My eyes narrow in on Shante, whose eyes are still closed. I lean forward across the table. “What exactly has shifted?”
“Shh,” she scolds. “Let me finish.”
I grunt, sitting back in the chair.
Damn witches and their half information.
After several long moments, Shante places the stone on the table, folds her hands, and opens her eyes to meet mine.
“Your feelings have shifted.” I stiffen at her words. “You’re watching her spread her wings and blossom. She’s coming into her own and you’re finallyseeingher.”
My lips purse. “That’s the shift? I don’t find that to be news.”
Shante smacks her lips together. “With this growth comes knowledge and choices. Some of which will be in direct opposition to things you want.”
“Such as...” I draw out, earning an eye roll in return.