Chapter 21: One More Cup

I took the thermos out of Lorna's hands.

It was heavy and warm, and I knew without lifting the lid exactly what was in it.

Conall started to stand, and I shook my head at him.

"No," I said. "I'd like to do this myself."

I carried it to the middle of the Hall floor, where two hundred people could see me.

I unscrewed the lid, and the bitter green smell rose up and reached the rafters.

Every wolf in the room turned to look.

"I drank this every morning for five years," I said. "So did you, if you went to a bake sale."

"Lorna just offered me one more cup."

"Cassandra, honey, you're overwrought," Lorna said. "It's only..."

"Chamomile," I said. "And lemon balm. An old family recipe."

"Then drink it."

I held out the cup.

She stared at it.

Her lips moved, and the smile came back and fell off again.

"I don't drink it," she said. "I don't need it."

"You don't need it," I said. "You made it for me."

I tipped the thermos over, and the tea went across the floorboards in a long dark pour.

It ran between the benches and pooled around the Beta's shoes.

He had risen to his feet, naked under a coat someone had put over him, and he did not look at it.

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