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ROSEMARY ENTWINED Bianca Sommerland
138
I give you one last warning. Make sure you are alone when you eat the apple and tell your men
to leave you in peace for a few days. The magic of the apple will make you sleep, it is important that
you are not disturbed.
You will finally find the peace you crave.
With undying love,
Your father.
Rosemary opened the box and peered down at the perfect apple, resting in a bed of
black cloth. Reverently, she lifted it. Her father was right; it didn t look like much. It was
hard to believe something so simple would fix all her problems.
But it would. She didn t doubt that her father would do anything to save her from the
fatal end that many nests came to. A tender glow of gratitude and love filled her. She smiled
and took out her phone even as she pulled on her shoes. She placed the apple in her purse
wrapped in the black cloth and skipped up the stairs, tapping softly on the door to the boys
room.
Alaire opened the door. She held up a finger when Largo answered the phone.
It s over! She span around Alaire and grinned at Chetan and Wylie who stepped into
the room, rubbing their eyes. My father wrote to me, he found a way to fix everything.
What are you talking about? Largo said in her ear even as Alaire and Wylie said the
same.
This. Rosemary held the phone to her ear with her shoulder and took the apple out of
her purse. It s an apple, a magic apple from an orchard in Greece. My father discovered the
secret of my succubus ancestors. They eat the apple and the threat of death to themselves and
their nests is eliminated. Brandon will lose his power over us.
You won t need us anymore. Chetan slumped onto the sofa and sighed. I m sorry. I
guess I should be happy for you but&
No, I still need you, all of you. My father says the nest is the source of my power and I
still need that if I m to survive the attacks of my mother and any other cambion that comes
after me. Rosemary felt giddy as she imparted the good news and laughed when Chetan
looked up with obvious relief. Think about it. We ll still be together, but we don t have to be
afraid anymore. Once my stores of power are filled we can be together for nothing but
pleasure. I ll be strong enough to keep Brandon from taking control.
ROSEMARY ENTWINED Bianca Sommerland
139
That sounds too good to be true, Largo grumbled.
Rosemary frowned. My father wouldn t have sent it to me if it wasn t true. I trust him.
Don t you?
Yes, Largo said quickly. So what are you waiting for? Eat it.
I had to tell you my father s instructions. He said the apple will make me sleep for a
few days and I can t be disturbed.
What happens if you re disturbed? Wylie asked, looking worried.
It won t work.
Then you won t be safe in your room. Maybe you should stay here? Alaire suggested.
No. I ll get you a hotel room, Largo cut in. You just have to figure out a way to get
out of classes.
I ll tell them I m going to my brother s funeral. Rosemary s smile faded, but she
forced it back stubbornly. Her brother s fate wouldn t be the fate of her men. She couldn t
look back with regret, she could only look forward, see all the opportunities that lay before
her. She turned to Wylie. Go get Felix. I want to feed one last time before I sleep and give
him back what I took.
All right. Wylie turned towards the door, then turned back and took her hand.
You ll wait for me?
Of course. She laughed. Before I sleep, I have to wait for you. I want you all there
before I close my eyes.
I won t be long, Largo said and hung up.
Wylie headed out the door. Keep an eye on things, Shiloh.
Shiloh? Alaire looked at Chetan who shrugged. They both turned to watch Shiloh slip
out of the kitchen.
He nodded without looking up. No problem. He lifted a bottle to his lips and tipped
his head back.
Rosemary frowned as she read the label. Absinthe? Her eyes slid to Alaire.
Alaire put his hands up. Don t look at me. Felix gave it to him, said it would help him
with the nightmares. He ran to the hall and called out to Wylie. Why are you leaving the
drunk in charge?
He s the most responsible! came Wylie s reply.
ROSEMARY ENTWINED Bianca Sommerland
140
Shut up! Do you have any idea what time it is? a random voice called before a door
slammed.
Alaire cleared his throat. Sorry!
A few muffled grumbles sounded from the other apartments. Chetan pushed the door
closed. Rosemary led Shiloh to the sofa and tried to pry the bottle from his hand. He
wouldn t let go.
Why didn t you tell me you were having nightmares, Shiloh? She smoothed his dark
hair away from his face and gazed into his overly bright eyes.
I had something I had to tell you. Shiloh s eyes lost focus. He hugged her and
shuddered. All I could see was the crystal, all around you, holding you forever. She chained
us to the walls and made Largo split our flesh with a whip. He took another gulp of harsh
spirits and gave his head a little shake. I m not really drunk. Fae can t get drunk.
You re more human than fae, Alaire pointed out. He flicked the rounded tip of
Shiloh s ear. Not even a little point and you don t have wings.
Fae don t have pointy ears, Shiloh said around the lip of the bottle. He smiled
dreamily. And none of my ancestors could fly, though that would be cool.
My point is that you re human enough to get plastered and you re drinking¼ð Alaire
swiped the bottle and squinted at the label. Some really strong shit.
Doesn t absinthe make you hallucinate? Rosemary said, frowning when Alaire
returned the bottle to Shiloh.
Alaire shrugged. I ve heard something like that, but he seems okay.
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