He sat up. “Ria, what the he-”
“She was healing you,” Quinn stated matter-of-factly. “This way, we don’t have to risk going to the hospital.”
Jared winced shook his head. “What’s wrong with a hospital?”
Quinn frowned and pulled his head back into her lap. “I hope you’re joking.”
“The assassin could still be out there,” Miss Senguine added. “Until I can make sure they have been removed, we must remain here.” They were still in the study, Annika having joined them to recline on a nearby couch.
Jared scowled. “I thought we would be safe here.”
Senguine rolled her eyes. “I assure you, you would have been perfectly safe had you not needlessly risked your life saving an acquaintance.”
Jared’s eyes widened. “Kiara. Is she-”
“I’m fine.” He whipped his head to see her sitting behind him, her neck properly bandaged.
He gave a sigh of relief and laid back into Quinn’s lap. “Everyone’s okay, then.”
Quinn stroked his hair and leaned down to kiss his forehead. “Thanks to you.”
“Everyone’s okay, for now.” Annika flipped her hair over her shoulder. “The longer you delay your little decision, the more we’re all gonna pay for it. Nobody here can make any progress until we know whether or not we’ve got you on our side.” She scowled. “You need to choose. Now.”
Jared sighed. “I know, I know.” He looked up to Quinn for guidance. “What do you think?”
She didn’t answer at first, running her fingers through his hair as she thought. Finally she spoke. “I don’t think your goals are mutually exclusive. I think we can make this work — together.”
Annika scoffed and sat up. “I guess you’re welcome to try. But listen here, princess. We’ve been living together for the last ten years, and it’s become pretty clear that we can’t get along.”
Quinn shook her head. “Each of you is selfish in your own way. That’s your problem.” She cupped her husband’s face. “He’s the only one here who would give his life for anyone in this room. Does anyone disagree?”
No one said anything. Miss Senguine stood off to the side with an eyebrow raised.
Quinn nodded. “Exactly. I can appreciate all of your goals — even you, Annika — as respectable and good. I had my doubts when Jared first told me about all of you, but I feel confident that we can figure something out together.”
Ria sighed. “I don’t know. Annika has a point. If we try to cooperate, it’s possible that our goals might get trampled in the process.” Her face fell. “I’d give anything to achieve my goal.”
It took everything Jared had not to glance at Miss Senguine. Quinn nodded. “Exactly. You can’t trust that any of the others won’t throw you under the bus to get their own goals — for that matter, you’d throw them under the bus to get yours.”
She tapped her head. “The key here is knowing that he would jump under a bus to help any of you.” She pointed to Annika and Kiara. “Both of your goals involve him becoming powerful, yes?”
They looked at each other in surprise. “I guess so.” “Yes.”
Quinn smiled. “Then what if you both united under that goal? You help him become the most powerful demon that he can, and he tries to fulfill your goals.”
Kiara shifted uncomfortably. “I feel as though he would help her over me.”
Annika scoffed. “Then you’re a bigger idiot than I thought. He’ll take your side any day.”
Jared shook his head. “Look, Quinn comes first. My first priority is to keep her alive. After that…”
Quinn squeezed his hand. “I think covering Annika’s goals would be more important, but that’s not the discussion.” She took a breath. “Look, is it better to have him help you, but not uniquely, or to have a 1/3 chance of him helping at all?”
Silence ruled the room again. It was broken by Miss Senguine laughing.
Quinn lifted her chin. “What’s so funny?”
Miss Senguine smirked. “You take after your mother.”
Quinn’s eyes widened. She closed her eyes. “We’ll talk about that later.” She glanced between Annika and Kiara. “What do you think? Can you trust him?”
Kiara shrugged painfully. “I know I can. I must.”
Annika locked eyes with Jared. She looked… worried. Fearful, even. Jared offered her a single nod. A promise.
Annika finally nodded. “Okay. I’m in.” She leaned back. “This is still a terrible idea, though.”
That left only Ria. When everyone looked at her, she held up her hands. “As long as I get what I want, I’m happy. But…” She became serious. “I have to have that. I will drop this alliance to achieve my goals.”
“Not gonna cut it.” Annika placed her hands on her hips. “I’m all in on this one — no take backs, no plan B’s. I’m not gonna stand for you backing out because you don’t feel like it, kapeesh?”
Ria bit her lip. “I’m not saying I’m going to back out. I’m saying that I better not get overlooked here.” She gestured around the room. “To you guys, it might be a small deal, but it’s a big deal to me.”
Quinn nodded. “I promise we’ll try.” She looked to Jared. He took that as permission to talk now, without interrupting her plans.
He let out a long breath. “I’m still learning, and I’m not very smart, as I’m sure all of you have guessed.” He hesitated. “But I trust Quinn. If she thinks we can all make this work, she’s probably right. I’m a Ferronaught, for those of you who didn’t know.” He glanced up to Senguine. “According to Miss Senguine, I have a shot at getting accepted onto the Summit, however that works. That’s technically my goal.”
Quinn interrupted. “Our goal. That’s a reflection of power. Even if Ria isn’t directly affected by that achievement, I’m sure the rest of us will be.”
Jared sighed. “I’m not sure it’s likely that any of the rest of you will share your goal?”
They all shook their heads and he frowned. “Alright. I guess that’ll be up to me to make them happen.”
Finally, Senguine spoke up. “Well then, since you have officially taken control of my proteges in less than a week, what is my role in all of this?” She didn’t seem too irritated, fortunately, rather drily amused.
Quinn bit the inside of her cheek. “We don’t know much about your goals, so we can’t trust you much. Sorry.”
She waved the concern away. “That’s fine. I suppose I will go about my business, then.”
“You’re still our teacher,” Kiara added. “We all need to improve our skills.”
Miss Senguine shrugged noncommittally. “You’re preparing for the coming apocalypse. I become less relevant by the day. It’s good for you all to chase your goals.”
Annika folded her arms. “So what do you think of this whole situation? Do you think this is a good idea?”
Senguine scoffed. “For who? I know little of any of what you hope to achieve, especially you, darling. For Mr. Bertreck here, I think it’s a terrible idea. Without any real control over any of you, he’s asking to be stabbed in the back.”
Quinn frowned. “Then what would you recommend?”
Senguine rolled her eyes. “Dealing with demons is far too complicated. There’s a reason loners manage to live so long. A single alliance is usually manageable, but three? I’d stick to humans if I were you. Gain some vassals. For all of their abilities,” she added wryly, “Their assistance can hardly compare to the increased power of a vassal.”