[This post is from Marin’s point of view.]
“I honestly can’t believe what I’m hearing.”
Aoife’s expression hardened as she stared back at me over the cooking fire. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that I think you lost a few marbles between here and Pennsylvania.” I stood up, drying my hands on the seat of my pants. “We all talked about this. We’re leaving it alone. If my brother can hold her in check somehow, then we’ll let him do it—and I’m not going to let anyone endanger him by launching some kind of offensive.”
“Do you actually mean to tell me that you think it’s safe to leave her alive?”
“That is exactly what I’m saying.” A dull pounding rose behind my eyes. Had she actually thought that I’d think her plan was a wonderful idea? “Unless or until she becomes a threat—”
“She will always be a threat, Marin.” Aoife’s eyes blazed as she marched around the fire to stand toe-to-toe with me. “She will never stop. You know that.”
“No, I don’t,” I said, my voice quiet and my heart sick. “I don’t know that, Aoife. I wonder how you seem to think you do.”
She stared at me for a long moment, her jaw tightening. “Because that’s how it always happens,” she said, her voice flat and cold. “We think we’re safe. We think she’s not coming back. And then all of a sudden, there she is, trying to do something to one of them. Trying to hurt our family in any way she can. I don’t know what we ever did to her or what she’s ever wanted, but we’ve had a target painted on our backs for centuries that we can’t seem to wash away. So you’d better believe what you’re hearing because no one is going to talk me out of this. No one is going to stop me. Do you understand that?”
My stomach sank. “You’re wrong.”
“You can think that,” she said, turning away. “But I know I’m not. Help me or don’t help me, Marin, but you’re sure as hell not going to stop me.”
