As soon as Joel says the names of the books, Riona swears in violent Gaelic before taking a deep breath. Terror strikes her heart, along with guilt, because she did not see this one coming. "I know who has 'em. His name is Roman."

She lets out a frustrated noise and reaches for the first book. "He came t'see me a few months ago an' asked me t'perform a certain spell. He wanted t'take a witches power. Today most people think the idea of transferrin' a witch's power t'another witch, or even a human, is a myth. But it isn't. There are a few witches who still can, thanks t'their lineage an' inherent power. I'm one 'o 'em, which makes Davin another."

Riona opens the book and swallows hard, fingers trembling slightly as she grips the phone. "This man, he's... he's unhinged. He believes that he truly deserves this power. I told 'im t'get out, obviously. I didn't - I had no idea it would lead t'this."

And that's her fault. She will spend the rest of her days atoning for this mistake.

"But Joel, that spell. It's incredibly dark magic, an' if Davin were t'do it, it would destroy him. An' it would destroy you." There's no doubt in her mind whose powers Roman intends to take, not if he took Joel's human husband along with Davin. "He won't do it, Joel. I know m'boy, an' I know he wouldn't. But there's no tellin' what Roman might do t'try an' make 'im."