“Perhaps,” Madame Labelle murmured, “but a wounded animal is a dangerous beast.”
When Ansel still looked puzzled, I squeezed his waist. “Everything that happened—everything we did—it’ll only make her more savage. The other witches, too. This war is anything but over.”
A foreboding silence descended as my words sank in.
“Right,” Coco said, lifting her chin. “There’s only one thing for it. You’ll all come back to my coven with me. Morgane won’t be able to touch you there.”
“Coco . . .” I met her gaze reluctantly. She set her jaw and planted a hand on her hip in response. “They’re just as likely to kill us as they are to help us.”
“They won’t. You’ll be under my protection. None of my kin will dare lay a hand on you.”
There was another pause as we stared at each other.
“You don’t have many other options, Louise, dear,” Madame Labelle finally said. “Even Morgane isn’t foolhardy enough to attack you in the heart of a blood coven, and Auguste and the Chasseurs would never find you there.”
“Aren’t you coming with us?” Reid asked, frowning. The back of his neck nearly blended into his coppery hair, and his hands remained clenched. Tense. I coaxed his fist open with a gentle brush of my knuckle, lacing my fingers through his. He took a deep breath and relaxed slightly.
“No.” Madame Labelle swallowed hard, and the matagot rubbed its head against her knee in a startling domestic gesture. “Though it’s been years since I’ve seen him, I think . . . I think it’s finally time I had a conversation with Auguste.”
Beau frowned. “You would have to be a complete idiot to tell him you’re a witch.”
Reid and I glared at him, but Madame Labelle only lifted an elegant shoulder, unruffled. “Well, it is good I’m not a complete idiot, then. You will come with me, of course. I can’t just waltz into the castle anymore. Together, we might be able to persuade Auguste against whatever harebrained scheme he’s undoubtedly concocting.”
“What makes you think you’ll be able to persuade him to do anything?”
“He loved me once.”
“Yes. I’m sure my mother will be thrilled to hear all about it.”
“I’m sorry, but I still don’t understand.” Ansel shook his head in bewilderment and looked to Coco. “Why do you think we’ll be safe with your coven? If Morgane is as dangerous as everyone says . . . will they really be able to protect us?”
Coco barked a short laugh. “You don’t know who my aunt is, do you?”
Ansel’s brows furrowed. “No.”
“Then allow me to enlighten you.” Her grin stretched wide, and in the dying sunlight, her eyes seemed to glow brilliant crimson. “My aunt is the witch La Voisin.”
Reid groaned audibly. “Shit.”
Acknowledgments
This story passed through many hands before publication, which means I have many people to thank for helping me shape it into something special.
To my husband, RJ—I quite literally couldn’t have written Serpent & Dove without you. Thank you for your patience throughout this entire journey—for every night you brushed the boys’ teeth and tucked them into bed when I was writing, and for every weekend you retreated with them to the basement when I was banging my head against my laptop. For all the dishes and laundry you washed when I was revising, and for all the emergency grocery runs you made when I ran out of 5-Hour Energy. You’ll never know how much your support means to me. I love you. （P.S. You’re now holding my book in your hands, which means . . . IT’S OFFICIALLY TIME TO READ IT.）
To my children, Beau, James, and Rose—If I can do it, so can you. Follow your dreams.
To my parents, Zane and Kelly—You fostered my love of reading, and more important, you fostered my love of myself. Without your praise—and your total confidence in my abilities—I never would’ve mustered up the courage to pursue publication. I can’t thank you enough for your unconditional love and support.
To my siblings, Jacob, Justin, Brooke, Chelsy, and Lewie—It would’ve been hard to take an eight-year-old writing poetry about Peter Pan seriously, but you always did. You never laughed at my writing dreams. Your enthusiasm means everything to me.
To my parents-in-law, Dave and Pattie: Thank you for all those days you volunteered to watch the boys. We love you.
To my forever friends Jordan, Spencer, Meghan, Aaron, Adrianne, Chelsea, Riley, Courtney, Austin, and Jon—Thank you for celebrating my weirdness and sticking around despite it. Life is hard—and publishing is harder—but I know you’ll always have my back. See you at the party barn!