“You can’t,” I said, remembering Pierce standing at the door watching Vivian flee, and the last parting shot that hadn’t been necessary. Animam, agere, efflare … Didn’t that have something to do with breathing? No wonder his aura was as dark as mine.

Jenks’s dust shifted to an ugly, burnt gold. “Why the hell not?”

I looked at him, seeing the distress on his face, wishing I could do this differently. “Someone needs to stay and make sure the coven doesn’t come in and grab a focusing object.”

“They could hit her from a distance,” Pierce said, his face so grim I wondered if he had been taken that way. “It wouldn’t be legal,” he said as his eyes met mine.

“But they’d do it,” Ivy said softly, and Glenn frowned. I nodded, thinking of the leather jacket I’d left at the coven’s circle, glad now that Oliver’s charm had tainted it.

“Tink’s dildo,” Jenks said softly, falling until he stood on the coffee table. “Rache?”

“Glenn’s right,” I said, remembering that it was his idea first. “If they sent Vivian after me again, then they don’t have anyone who can summon me—yet.” And if Nick goes back to them, I’ll give him to Al and worry about my guilt later. “Until then, they’re reduced to snag-and-drag. If they can’t find me, they can’t snatch me. I’m leaving, but you’re staying. I’m sorry. I need you here, Jenks.” This felt wrong, but the logic was sound.

Jenks’s wings hummed loudly as I stood, wavering until Pierce’s fingers cupped my elbow. The Turn take it, my knees still hurt, but I could walk with the pain amulet. Maybe I could make this work for me? I had an old-lady disguise charm in the back of my cupboard.

“Ivy, call me when you know how bad it is?” I asked, and she nodded. Her hand was starting to swell, and it looked awful. Ivy’s purse was in Glenn’s grip, and it looked funny there. I thought of them together on a date—then squelched it.

“Soon as I clear it with Rynn, I’ll let you know,” she said. “Stay in a public place?”

“Not a problem.” I came forward to give her a careful hug.

“This is fairy crap!” Jenks exclaimed, looking miserable as he hovered beside Glenn. “It doesn’t feel right, Rache!”

“I’m right with you, Jenks,” I said, then to Ivy, “You be careful.” I breathed deep as I let her go, pulling the scent of vampire incense deep into me, mixing with my raspberry smell of the detangling spray and the cloying stench of the smoldering couch. I prayed that it wouldn’t be the last time I saw her. This really felt wrong. “Don’t tell Glenn that Nick was here,” I whispered, and she sighed.