Chapter 195: Traitors And Tests
"Ah, Sydlynn." Odette rose smoothly to her feet, smiling as if nothing remotely nasty and conniving was going on. "So lovely of you to visit."
I glared at the pair of Hayle witches as I nodded curtly in return.
"Your messenger insisted," I said.
"We really must be going." Celeste bowed her head to Odette. "A pleasure, Ms. Dumont."
"Celeste," Odette took her hand and squeezed it. "Delightful." She turned to James who looked ill. "So charming."
The two hurried past me, but not before I shot them both a powerful question.
What the hell are you doing here?
A courtesy call, Celeste sent back while James's mind trembled. And none of your business.
We'll see. I stayed with them all the way to the car, only letting them go when I knew neither would let their shields down.
Odette smiled at me, an endless look of satisfaction. She planned this, clearly, wanted me to catch them with her, all the while not warning either of them I was coming.
"Please," she gestured as Raoul oozed into the room to stand behind her, "take a seat."
I refused to sit in Celeste's chair, choosing instead to plant myself in the one James vacated. Sitting there somehow made me feel dirty just the same. Maybe it had to do with the way the werewolf leader stared at me with his empty eyes.
Odette sat back on the ancient settee, steepling her fingers in front of her. "Thank you for coming to see me," she said. "I've been hoping to spend some time with you, get to know you better. After all, our dear Quaid has told me so much."
I bet he had. I was about to comment when movement at the door drew my attention, followed by an inane giggle. I looked up, feeling shock as Andre entered, Angela on his arm. The woman was clearly thralled, far more so than anything the brothers had done to the girls in town, deep in the man's control.
Don't, Gram sent. Watch.
I knew she was right. I couldn't show the least emotion. My eyes drifted over Alison's mother like she was a houseplant and back to Odette. It was obvious the woman was disappointed in my lack of care while inside I seethed and allowed Gram to hold me back.
Angela was so far gone she only giggled again when she saw me. "Hello, Syd," she said.
"Mrs. Morgan."
My reaction obviously a disappointment, Odette waved at Andre. "I'll see you at dinner."
Was that hurt on his face? "Yes, Mother."
All a show for my benefit. Pathetic, really. So much for the supremely clever old woman Gram was so afraid of.
Do not underestimate her, Gram's voice whispered. There are layers here.
It was clear Odette was doing her best to start a fight. But these clumsy attempts were so old school. And yet, what Gram said made sense. If this was so obvious, what was she up to that wasn't so apparent? The old bait and switch? My tension rose.
I couldn't start anything here, but if she did, I would finish it.
Now all I had to do was convince the old woman staring at me with predator eyes to make the first move so she'd have no reason to cry foul and place the blame.
"I find you endlessly fascinating, ma chere." Odette sipped from a wine glass at her side, watching me over the rim. "How you can survive with those two warring powers inside you, constantly fighting for control."
"We're just fine, thanks." Quaid, the bastard. He'd told his grandmother everything, for real. And after all we'd done for him! Next time I saw him my magic wouldn't be reaching out to caress his, but to beat him into the ground.
Gram was right. Dumont men could not be trusted.
"A pity about Quaid," she went on as if she'd read my thoughts. "He is such a fine match for our darling Ameline." There was nothing darling about the coldhearted girl but whatever. "And yet, his connection to her isn't as strong as it could be."
Boo freaking hoo. Like that was my problem. "What a shame," I said. "No super babies."
Gram cackled in my mind while Odette's eyes tightened. Be myself. Got it.
"Are you aware," Odette asked, setting aside her glass, leaning toward me, her voice dropping as though what she had to say were a secret, "the connection between the two of you is far stronger?"
I had nothing to say. Nothing. Until my anger surged. "I disagree," I said. "Maybe he pines for me, but I forgot about him long ago."
It was hard to concentrate with Gram giggling hysterically in my head. Clearly I was doing it right. Odette paused, confusion and frustration only barely registering before she sat back and shrugged.
"I see," she said. "Then my offer will be useless to you."
Okay, I'd bite. "What offer is that?"
"Only that I'm willing to reverse the engagement," she said with a small, sly smile, "if you would consider joining the Dumont family in marriage."
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