She collapsed back onto the mattress as Theo spoke to whoever was on the other end in low, forceful tones. Then silence.

She raised her head and saw Theo standing in the doorway.

“Thomas wants to talk to us.”

THEO STOOD BY THE WINDOW AT THE FAR END OF THE Coven library trying really hard not to hurl something through the floor-to-ceiling glass. He’d known this was coming. As soon as Sarafina had mentioned it to Thomas, Theo had known Thomas would take her up on her offer.

Thomas Monahan was a good man, but the Coven always came first. He’d put Sarafina at risk to gain information.

In a heartbeat.

“So even though Bai attacked her here at the Coven, you’re still willing to send her back to the Duskoff.” Theo spoke without turning around to face Thomas and Sarafina. His voice was hard. Right now all he could do was stare straight ahead and use all his willpower to resist destroying something.

“Not long term. I just want her to go in for a day or so and I want you to go with her,” said Thomas.

“I want to find out what Bai wants me for.” Sarafina countered Theo in a combative tone.

Theo snorted. “And you think Stefan is just going to tell you?”

“He might if I offer something in return. He knows the Coven got to me. I can offer to give him information.”

“You’re not prepared for this. Last night proved it.”

Sarafina sighed. “Theo, Bai is coming for me one way or another. There’s no place to hide, no place to run. I feel better meeting this head on.”

Theo turned to face her. Last night had made him realize just how much he was coming to care for her. This drove him insane—watching her march herself right into a nest of black mamba. “Do you even know where Stefan and the Duskoff are right now?”

“New York,” answered Thomas. “Stefan hightailed it back to headquarters after the raid on the farmhouse. You’ll have to go there.”

“How do you know?”

“Mira. She can’t hear anything within the warding, but she notices it when Stefan moves somewhere and comes out from behind Duskoff walls. She’s tuned to him and he knows it. He’s not making any slips, unfortunately, though Mira will be there if he does.”

“I’m going in with her. I’ll cut my hair and—”

“You will not!” That came from Sarafina. “I won’t allow you to cut your hair, Theo.”

“I’m not sure I can work up a charm powerful enough to disguise it.”

Sarafina shook her head. “No way. I know that’s where you store a lot of your spells and charms. I’m not letting you diminish your power base for me.”