My hand gravitated back to my bandolier, and my fingers wrapped around the sapphire hilt by my heart. I savored its smoothness . . . its reassuring weight. Our Balisardas couldn’t be magic. They protected us from magic. But everything else in my godforsaken life had been a lie. Why not this too?
Unsheathing the blade, I scowled up at the sky.
“You’re expecting us to walk into Chateau le Blanc completely unarmed?” Beau asked in disbelief.
“Of course not. Take whatever nonmagical weapons you wish. Just leave the Balisarda at camp.” She smiled sweetly. “We can collect it after we’ve rescued Louise.”
“You’re mad—” He broke off, stunned, as I placed my Balisarda in Madame Labelle’s outstretched hand.
Without another word, I turned and headed after the witches.
They took one look at me and erupted into unintelligible squeals.
“His jaw could cut glass!” one of them trilled. Loudly. As if I weren’t there. No—as if I was nothing but a prized cow, unable to comprehend a word they were saying. I tried not to scowl but failed miserably.
“Oh, look at his eyelashes,” the second sighed. This one had the nerve to reach up and touch my face. I forced myself to remain still. To refrain from snapping its—her—wrist. “Do you have a sister, handsome?”
“He’s mine,” the third said quickly, batting away the second’s hand. “Don’t touch him!”
“I am the eldest,” the first interrupted. “So I get first pick!”
Behind me, Ansel and Beau choked on silent laughter. I longed to knock their heads together, cursing Madame Labelle for pairing them with me.
I adopted as pleasant a voice as I was able. “Mademoiselles, may I introduce my brothers?” I jerked them both forward by the scruffs of their necks, and their grins vanished. “This is Antoine.” I shoved Ansel toward one of them at random. I grabbed Beau next. “And this is Burke.”
The witch I paired with Beau wrinkled her nose. Though Madame Labelle had taken pity on him and removed his wart, he undoubtedly remained the least attractive of us. Undeterred—or just stupid—he shot the witch a charming smile, revealing a gap between his two front teeth. She stepped away from him, disgusted.
The first witch wrapped a hand around my arm, attempting to pull me close. “And what’s your name, handsome?”
“Raoul.”
Her fingers explored my biceps. “It’s nice to meet you, Raoul. I’m Elaina. Have you ever been to the Chateau?”
I struggled to keep my face polite. Interested. “No, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful.”
“As are its inhabitants.” Beau gave them a roguish wink. Everyone ignored him.
“You are in for such a treat!” The witch next to Ansel pushed past her sister to clutch my other arm. “I’m Elodie, by the way. Are you sure you don’t have a sister?” She peered behind me hopefully.
“Hey!” the third sister protested when she realized I had no more arms to spare.
“That’s Elinor,” Elaina said, dismissive. “But Elodie is right—you couldn’t have picked a better night to offer your services. Tonight is Modraniht, and tomorrow is Yule. Our Lady has planned a great festival this year—”
“We’ve traveled all the way from Sully to celebrate—” Elodie said.
“—because Louise has finally returned!” Elinor finished. She grabbed Ansel’s arm and followed us through the trees.
My heart stopped, and I stumbled. Two sets of hands moved eagerly to steady me.
“Are you all right?” Elaina asked.
“You look quite pale,” Elodie said.
“Who is Louise?” Beau asked, shooting me a sharp look.
Elinor’s nose wrinkled as she looked at him. “Louise le Blanc. Daughter and heir of La Dame des Sorcières. Are you daft?”
“Apparently.” Beau looked on with a bemused expression. “So, mademoiselles—what does our fair Lady have planned for us this evening? Food? Dancing? Will we get to meet the lovely Louise?”
“You won’t,” Elinor said. “You’re not coming.”
I stopped walking abruptly. “He goes where I go.”
Elaina pouted up at me. “But none of us want him.”
“If you want me, he goes.” I pulled away from her, and her lips puckered slightly. I mentally chastised myself. “Please.” I tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear and attempted a smile. “He’s my brother.”