Second of the Winterset Coven by T. S. Joyce Read Free Book Online

unicorn took a rainbow shit in here. I just moved back in to help my mom with bills, and I’ve been too busy to fix up the old room.”
    Sadey picked up an old dust-covered trophy. “Is this seriously a first place for curling?”
    “It’s a sport! And I wasn’t super athletic in school so when it came to extra curriculars, I got creative.”
    Sadey sat heavily on her neon green office chair and spun slowly. “I got tired of hanging around outside like some peeping-tom stalker. That’s Garret’s gig, not mine.”
    “What? You’ve been standing outside my house?”
    “Yeah, Project Dawn Patrol has been in full effect since the attack. Garret has me watching this place during the day while he’s sleeping and unable to protect you. Like Asmund could get to you during the day. He might be ancient, but he’s still a vamp and will go up in flames in sunlight. Garret doesn’t want to take any chances though. Those dresses are hot.” She pointed to the outfits laid out on the bed. “Go with the black one tonight. It’ll make your eyes pop, and Garret won’t be able to keep his hands off you.”
    Dawn just stood there with her mouth hanging open wide enough to catch flies. “Wait, go back. Wh-who watches me at night?”
    “Mostly Garret. You should get better curtains. When he’s out hunting Ass-munch, he usually puts Shane and Evan out in front of your house. Also, we are really gonna have to work on your vamp-staking skills. You held your weapon like a limp noodle, and is that glitter?” Sadey pointed to the sparkle-adorned stake hanging limply from Dawn’s hand.
    Dawn slowly hid it behind her back. “No?”
    “Want to hear a secret that I’ve been dying to tell you all day?”
    “Um, okay.”
    “Aric has called a coven meeting.”
    Oh, that sounded bad. Coven meetings didn’t happen often, and it was usually about something unsavory. “A meeting about what?”
    “We’re going a-huntin’ on your behalf.”
    “Mine?” Dawn’s head was spinning. “But Aric calls me a feeder.”
    “Not anymore. This morning my supersonic shifter hearing was on point, and I heard Garret call you his.”
    “His what?”
    “You know. His woman, his lover, his queen, his to defend, protect, avenge. The coven is going to war with his origin to back him up. To back you up.”
    “That’s terrible! Why do you sound so excited about this, Sadey? Asmund is terrifying.” She didn’t want any of the Winterset Coven to get hurt or worse on her behalf.
    The smile slipped from Sadey’s lips, and quietly she said, “Garret’s already been hunting him, Dawn. The night we found out about your attack… I’ve never seen Garret like that. He raged and filled the entire coven house with something awful and dark. I couldn’t even fucking breathe, Dawn. Aric laid down an order for Garret not to hunt Asmund while the police were sitting outside watching us so closely, but he ignored it. Ignored an order, Dawn. From his king. After tonight, Garret won’t be hunting alone anymore, so yeah, this is a really good thing because the coven can’t lose him. And we can’t lose you. Asmund is ancient and powerful, sure, but our boys are loyal and lethal. He has a better shot at ending Asmund and keeping you safe with the coven at his back.”
    “But maybe Asmund made his point and won’t come back for me,” Dawn whispered, desperate to deny she was still a target.
    Sadey canted her head, and her eyes grew sad. “He can’t take the chance on losing you, too. Asmund has taken from him before.”
    Dawn frowned. “This is different from when Asmund Turned Garret.”
    “No, you don’t understand,” Sadey murmured. “Asmund killed Torunn. If Garret thinks this is a repeat of history, then I trust him, and so does Aric. And for your own safety, you should trust him, too.”
    Dawn sat heavily on the edge of the bed and stared down at the stake in her hand. She’d bought it because she didn’t feel safe anymore, but a huge part of