“And you stood me up,” I said. “I guess that makes us even.”
“Not quite, I think.”
“You’re right, we’re not. Because I have all the seeds, and they’re beyond your reach now. You’ve lost.”
Cillian chuckled. “No matter. I have to invade that hotel of yours one way or another, whether it’s for two or for four. They’re no good to me unless I have the complete set.”
So his experiments with a two seed plan had failed, then. He needed all four. I supposed that was good news, but it was a moot point now.
“And rest assured, Verity, I will breach your sanctuary. It’s only a matter of time.”
I told him I very much doubted it, and ended the call.
He was right about one thing: by putting all four seeds together, I’d forced one final, all-or-nothing battle. First for the sanctuary. Then for Bristol itself.
Let it come.
I guessed I knew what the next story would be about.
But as it turned out, the present story wasn’t quite so over as we’d all thought it was. There was still one more scene, someone with one more part to play.
He walked into the Mount Phearson on a stormy March day, soaked to the bone, bedraggled, gaunt, and filthy. It was pure providence that I happened to be talking with some guests by the fireplace at the time.
Cooper.
I thought I shouted it. My mouth moved, certainly. But no sound came out. I was winded, as though someone had just punched me in the stomach.
I wasn’t afraid my eyes were deceiving me, though, or that my mind was playing tricks on me. Not for a second. I knew it was him. I knew he’d come home.
“Cooper.” I managed to whisper it that time.
And then I was launching myself at him, and he was rushing forward to meet me.
And then his hands were in my hair and I could feel his heartbeat and we were kissing in a manner that was most inappropriate in front of the guests and staff.
“Wick,” he rasped between kisses. “Prisoner.” (Kiss.) “Escaped.”
Cillian, you lying bastard.
The details could wait, and so could vengeance. For the moment, it was enough that he was there, solid, real. Alive.
I knew it. I knew you were alive. I never doubted it.
Okay, maybe I doubted it a little, on occasion.
But that didn’t matter anymore. I was safe inside my hotel, the fire burning warm against the rain and sleet outside. And Cooper’s arms were around me.
Out there, our enemies were circling. They were preparing for battle. That didn’t matter, either.
Let them come.
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Witch Bound (Devilborn Book 3) Page 21
