Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(48)

“That’s what I mean. It’s f*cking pink,” Moira hissed.

Simone shook her head. “This is just a fluke. I’m really upset.” Her mind spun and then just went blank.

“Simone?” Vivienne called weakly.

Moira gripped her arm. “Go sit with your mother. I have a meeting, and then I’ll bring the soup. Just stay here and calm down.”

Simone nodded and moved woodenly into the other room. Perhaps the planekite poisoning had messed with her fire? She crossed to sit by her mother, her brain flashing to Nick.

He wanted her to run, and she was considering it. But she couldn’t leave her mother right now.

“Stop fretting,” her mother said weakly. She lay against the down pillows, small purple veins crossing her delicate eyelids. “This is part of the illness.”

Viv had been hit with two darts, and her initial strength had ebbed as the poison tunneled into deep tissue and organs. “You’ll be all right, Mother.”

“I know.” Viv opened bloodshot eyes.

Simone reached for a cup of milk, and her mother shook her head. “God. No more milk.”

“You need your strength,” Simone murmured, trying not to tear up at how quickly her mother was losing weight.

“No.” Viv struggled to sit up and accepted help with the pillows this time without protest. “What’s going on with your trial?”

Simone bit her lip. “We have it all figured out.”

Viv’s gaze sharpened. “You’ve always been a terrible liar.”

Simone frowned. “I have not. I’m an excellent liar.”

“Obviously not. Now, tell me the truth.”

Simone debated the issue for all of two seconds before she poured the whole sordid story out for her mother.

When Simone finished, Viv’s mouth opened and closed several times before she could speak. “You are bloody well kidding me.”

“No.”

Fire lanced across Viv’s arms to be quickly snuffed. “I told you that demon was bad for you. I told you, and yet you committed treason to help him in a war against our allies.”

Simone nodded, her chest aching. “I know. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

Viv patted her arm. “What’s done is done.” She wiped the back of her mouth with a shaking hand. “Either way, you’re guilty of treason.”

“I know,” Simone whispered. “We’re trying to figure out some sort of defense, but everything we come up with is weak.” Hope filled her that her mother, a political genius, would figure something out.

“You’re screwed.”

Simone sat back, her hopes sinking like a balloon losing air. “Not what I was hoping for.”

“You have to run, sweetheart.” Viv’s eyes opened wide. “You don’t have a chance here.”

“Run where?” Simone asked. “There’s nowhere to go.”

Viv swayed and dropped back to the pillows. “The demon could hide you, but eventually, the Guard would find you. The witches would go to war with the demons, and at some point . . .”

“Too many people would die,” Simone finished for her. No matter how the war ended, she’d be the cause of too many deaths, maybe even of her loved ones. “I can’t take that chance.”

Viv nodded, her eyelids fluttering. She grabbed Simone’s arm and dug in sharp nails. “Call Bear.”

Simone shook her head. “No. The shifter nation can’t get involved in this, either.”

“Promise me. Call Bear.” Her mother’s voice grew weaker.

“I’ve tried.” Simone tucked the covers up around her mom, her body feeling heavy with foreboding. “He won’t answer or return my calls.” When Bear disappeared, he did it right. Always had.

Viv’s nails bit harder. “Then call Desmond. Bear must’ve met with him while he was here.” Her voice trailed off.

Simone leaned in. “Desmond? Who’s Desmond?”

“I’m sorry, Simone,” Viv murmured. “I should’ve told you. Or protected you. But you have to call him. It’s your only chance, if he doesn’t kill you.”

“Mother?” Simone leaned in, feeling her mother’s hot forehead. A chill clacked down her spine. “Who’s Desmond?”

Viv’s breathing turned shallow, and her eyelids flipped open again. “My phone.”

Almost in a daze, Simone reached for the smartphone by the bed and handed it over. Viv’s hand shook, but she dialed a number and pressed the phone to her ear.

“This is Vivienne,” she whispered. Two seconds went by. Then another. “Are you there?”

Somebody must’ve answered. “Simone is going to be killed if you don’t come get her, Desmond. It’s time for you to protect her.” She clicked off.

Simone sat back. “Desmond?”

Viv pressed one number this time and held the phone to her ear. A beep echoed loudly enough for Simone to hear it. “Bear? Damn it, check your phone. I called Desmond to help Simone, and he’s on the way. Get here.” Vivienne dropped the phone.

Simone reached over to pick it up from the floor and placed it on the bedside table. Her mother’s eyes were closed, and her breathing turned shallow.