“I turned Braison,” Everest said with a sad smile. He looked down to the witch in question. “Sweyn had all but killed him. I stopped her, then gave him the choice.”

“And I don’t yet regret it.” Braison pulled another piece of chicken from the tub. “But hey, maybe gimme a century or so.”

Everest chuckled and leaned back against the lounge chair again.

Savannah raised her hand. “Are there any other vampires on your side?”

“Yes, just not vocally,” Aunt Shi-Shi answered immediately, speaking up for the first time. “Many of us loathe Sweyn and her actions. We just did not know The Coven would believe us. Nor did we know Everest was against her as well.”

Saber nodded. “There are more on Heaven’s side than you would think, but it is going to take a lot to get them to leave Avolire, simply out of fear.”

Everest sighed. “In due time. Right now, Sweyn and Mother are going to be on high alert.”

Two faces flashed in my mind. I frowned. “What about Sam and Pierce?”

Saber grimaced. “Pierce . . . He’s terrified. I suspect he’ll be the next to abandon ship the second he sees a chance.”

Braison tossed the empty Tupperware onto the coffee table. “But he’s smart, so he won’t jump without seeing a landing.”

Saber and Malik nodded, their expressions grim.

I cleared my throat. “And Sam? She’s risked herself a lot to help us.”

Tegan sighed. “Oh, Sam . . .” I did not like the way her face scrunched up.

Thiago raised his hand. “We’re sure she’s on our side, yes?”

“Yes,” Tegan said without hesitation. “She made an oath to Heaven. She gave her word.”

Tenn’s eyes widened. “An actual oath?”

“The official one, yes.” Tegan wrapped her arms around herself. “Frankie almost got her out but the Prince interfered.”

“I was so close.” I groaned.

“I tried to get her out with us last night,” Everest spoke softly, his gaze far away. “She insisted on remaining to be our spy.”

I squeezed his hand. “What aren’t you saying, Everest?”

His gaze dropped to my hand in his. He licked his lips. “I fear . . . I fear she intends to be the speed bump on my mother’s path to kill Tennessee.”

Silence. Everyone looked to Tenn, then back to Everest.

“Say what?” I whispered.

Everest glanced around the group. “Sam is aware, as are Sweyn and Lilith, that Haven—-I apologize, Tennessee—-must be the one to deliver the killing blow. He, and only he, can use Michael’s sword to rid the universe of Lilith permanently. Mother intends to prevent him from living long enough to get the chance.”

Silence.

The air in the room turned ice-cold and prickly.

Tegan shivered and gagged. She patted the sofa beside her. “Tenn, the lust is gone. Get back over here.”