She kept her voice light, and I attempted a smile. “I don’t know how powerful. Ever since I worked that case for the demons…” both of our gazes dropped to the gold mark on my arm, and I ground my teeth.

“The suppression spell has been wearing away?”

I nodded. “Apparently these types of spells are usually reinforced every few years.”

“What has this got to do with the kids?”

Bile crept up my throat at the reminder of Gary’s kids. Their little faces, such a pale gray they were almost white.

“When I get… upset, I have a hard time controlling my power.”

Evie’s gaze turned knowing. I’d scared the shit out of her the first time I lost control of my power, holding a witch in place, and forcing her to answer my questions.

She cleared her throat. “You did that to the kids?”

“God no. But I threatened Gary– their father. In front of them. My power leaked out of me and rattled the roof. They were terrified.”

“You didn’t hurt anyone?” her voice was very careful.

“No. But I could’ve. I’m telling you now, so you know. If I ever lose control, run.”

“You won’t hurt me.”

“I may not know what I’m doing,” I warned her. I needed her to take this seriously. “This suppression spell… it hid my power from me all these years, and whenever a piece of the spell crumbles, my power overtakes me. It usually happens when I’m enraged, and it boosts my anger into a new stratosphere. It’s like my power is a river and I’m caught in the currents without a life jacket. Anyone close to me is at risk.”

“You won’t hurt me,” she said again. I sighed, and she gave the hint of a smile. Evie had always been able to out-stubborn anyone. Even me. “What are you going to do about it?”

I signaled for another round, and across the room, Mere caught my eye with a nod. “I’m going to find someone who can reinforce the suppression spell.”

She gaped at me. “What?”

“I don’t need this power. I don’t want it. It was helpful when I was working with the demons and being targeted by those crazy witches, but that’s done now.”

“If you have access to that amount of power, it can keep you safe.”

“Not at the expense of everyone around me.”

“I think you give yourself too little credit. Why don’t you find someone who can help you learn to control it?”

Samael’s face flashed in front of my eyes, and I closed them in a bid to make it disappear. It didn’t. When I opened my eyes, my sister was smirking at me.

“You were thinking about him, weren’t you?”

“Samael can’t be trusted.”