“It has to be Paige,” Kris continued. “She’s right there, on the scene. She can get next to the Nix easily, without arousing suspicion. She’s a witch, which means Eve should be able to use her own spell-casting skills through her. And Eve knows Paige. Knows her well enough that she should be able to, temporarily, fool Savannah and Lucas.” Kris’s eyes met mine. “Because that’s what she’ll have to do. She can’t tell them what’s going on.”

I swallowed, then nodded. “Or I triple the chance that one of us will screw up, and the Nix will know something’s wrong. So I can’t…I can’t reveal myself to Savannah.”

“Are you going to be able to do that, Eve?” Trsiel asked softly.

I lifted my chin and looked at him. “If it means saving her from spending her life thinking she killed Paige and Lucas? Absolutely.”

Next we had to discuss a more detailed plan of action. As for the “killing Jaime and bringing her back to life” part, we were leaving that for now, knowing it was better to let me suss out the situation first, and build a plan of action on the fly rather than preplot when I didn’t yet know all the variables involved.

Instead, we discussed what could go wrong and backup plans. Although I knew CPR—having learned it when Savannah was young—I’d never had any opportunity to use it. Not that I’d never seen anyone in need of it, but, well, let’s just say I never felt inclined to reverse the process. I could try CPR with Jaime, but I’d also make sure that Lucas was close enough to help. As for whether Lucas knew CPR, that was a given. CPR, first aid, Heimlich maneuver—this was a guy who’d know it all. Saving people was his business.

It was far from a complete plan, but before we went a step further, we needed to subject it to the acid test.

“That might work,” the middle Fate said slowly.

“Might?”

“There are many variables to consider, Eve, not the least of which is the danger posed to Jaime’s life.”

“We—”

“You will take every precaution to avoid endangering her. Yes, I know that, and I believe that you will carry through with that intent. Given the danger the Nix poses to the living world, we have agreed that some slight risk to Jaime, however repugnant to us, is unavoidable. Even if you do nothing, and the Nix attacks Lucas and Paige, Jaime’s life would still be in danger, assuming they would fight back.”

“Good, so I can—”

“The other concern is that Trsiel may not be able to capture her.”

Trsiel stepped forward, eyes blazing. “I’m perfectly capable of doing that. I’ll be there, waiting, the whole time she’s on the other side.”