“You can’t believe that, and I certainly don’t.” A sad laugh forced its way clear of my throat. “You kidnapped me. You earmarked me to use as bait. You took my deepest hurt and twisted it for your own use.”

“I fucked up, all right? Is that what you want to hear?” A growl entered his voice. “Yes, I drove you up here without your consent. Yes, I planned on using you as bait, but I didn’t, did I?”

“No thanks to you,” I growled right back. “The Garzas found him.”

“Who do you think called them here? Who do you think begged for their help? Do you think a couple of witches wanted to hang out in a bait shack with eight wolves for a long weekend? Do you know how much they cost me?”

“They’re your family,” I started.

“They’re also coven witches. They don’t work for free. Not even for blood.” He searched my face. “I had to pay them, because their priest expects a cut for their services. They’re the best, and they command a high price.”

“Your sister deserved the best,” I said numbly, disbelieving.

“Marie is dead.” His voice broke. “I couldn’t save her.” Desperation touched his eyes. “I did this for you.”

My heart skipped a beat. “They had no way of knowing he had already chosen a victim. If he hadn’t—”

“Then I would have found another way.” He cupped my face in his hands. “I’m messed up, Ellis. I know that. You know that. I didn’t expect to meet you. Not here. Not now. But I did, and I won’t let you go so easily.”

My resolve wavered. This thing with Charybdis was far from over. The kelpie had a partner, and he was still out there. Did I trust the conclave to finish the hunt? It was a hard question to answer when I had believed in their mission to help faekind enough to join their ranks. I was a Gemini first. Now the oath I had given rang hollow in my memory. There were layers to this case as yet unsolved, and handing the evidence over to the conclave meant accepting the possibility they might close the case and sweep their involvement under the rug. Graeson would yank the metaphorical broom from their hands and snap the handle. He and I would sift through the dust bunnies until every grain of truth was documented and the people responsible were disposed of like so much trash.

Was that what I wanted? Was he what I wanted?

“Uh, guys.” Dell hooked my arm and whirled me back toward the lake. “Do you see that?”

Being tugged between two wargs like a juicy bone left my eyes rattling in my skull. “What am I looking for?”