Eternal Promise: (The Cursed Series, Book 5)

hadn’t even been willing to discuss the possibility, but now he was, and I wasn’t going to waste this opportunity.
I took his still proffered hand, and he pulled me to my feet. I expected him to wrap his arms around me and kiss me, but instead, he laced our fingers and tugged me toward the kitchen. Everyone was still seated around the table.
“Chloe and I are heading out for a little while,” Trent said.
“Don’t be too long,” Whitney said, glancing at me over her shoulder. “We have wedding plans to make.”
For as excited as she was, you’d think she was planning her own wedding. But I wasn’t complaining. I’d be lost without her help.
“You’re leaving?” Sean asked, head tilted. “Your brother just came back, and you’re going to take off?”
“Where you going?” Jax asked.
“We have something to take care,” Trent said, his voice calm and level. “We won’t be long.”
“And this can’t wait?” Sean leaned against the sink and crossed his arms.
Trent gave my hand a gentle squeeze and sliced his gaze to me, a knowing smile curling his lips. “No, this can’t wait. We’ll be back soon. Promise.” And then he led me outside.
Nervous energy buzzed through me. I had no idea how today would turn out, but I was going to stay positive. I climbed into his truck, and he was on the road before I even had my seat belt hooked.
“Can I ask you something?” I asked.
“Have we really gotten to the point where we ask a question about asking a question?” he said with a light laugh.
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the smile that formed. Asking a lot of questions was our thing, but he was right—asking to ask a question was hitting a new low for us.
“How do you know Dante?” I shifted so I was facing Trent, wanting to see his reaction to my question.
His laughter faded, and his expression turned hard. “What makes you think I know Dante?”
“Because every single time someone mentions his name, you get that look on your face.” I nodded at him. “And you and Jax stare at each other as if you two know something no one else does. You’re afraid of him, aren’t you?”
“Anyone with half a brain is afraid of Dante. He’s dangerous,” Trent said. His hold on the steering wheel tightened to the point his knuckles turned white.
“Okay… So, how do you know him?”
“There was a short period of time when Jax and I were on our own,” he said.
“I remember you telling me that,” I said. Though he hadn’t really said much else about it, other than he and Jax had left Sean for a while.
“Jax and I got mixed up with Dante for a while. Did a lot of things we shouldn’t have, and when we realized just how sadistic he was, we took off.”
“Oh,” I said.
“It’s a time in my life I don’t like to talk about,” Trent said, his tone hard.
“Okay.” I nodded. “I won’t bring it up again.”
Even though I was curious about what he’d done while with Dante. Had they killed people? Macaih had said Dante liked to keep women to feed on them—had Trent done that, too? The thought of him doing something that sick had bile rising in the back of my throat. Trent was much too compassionate to ever do anything so horrible.
Before I knew it, we were at Ivy’s rundown house. Trent parked next to Isach’s car. My stomach was in a large knot. We got out of his truck, and Isach met us near the porch steps.
“Thanks for coming,” Trent said.
Isach nodded. “Glad to see you two are getting along again.” He smirked.
Trent took my hand, lacing our fingers, an amused look on his face. “C’mon. Let’s go do this.”
We followed Isach inside, and I was hit with the strong smell of cinnamon, incense, and banana muffins. Ivy was perched in one of the chairs, teacup balanced precariously on her lap. She glanced up when we entered and offered a sweet smile.
I’d never understand this woman—she was either holding people hostage and threatening their lives, or she was sipping tea and nibbling on baked goods.
“Good morning, Chloe.” Her eyes twinkled for a second before her gaze moved on to Trent and Isach. “Gentlemen.”
Trent’s hold on my hand tightened, and I have his fingers a small squeeze.
“Please, sit.” She nodded at the couch. Only then did I notice the other chair that had been here last time was missing. So was the ottoman.
Trent ushered me toward the couch, and I sat sandwiched between him and Isach. Talk about cozy. Yeah, right. I cleared my throat, my nerves from earlier making a reappearance.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with us again,” Isach said.
From the corner of my eye, I could see his back was ramrod straight, and his jaw was set in a firm line. Did he not want to be here? Had he been thinking about this deal, too? Had he changed his mind?
“Yes, well, we all do have a common interest in what happens, don’t we?” She set her teacup on the coffee table and dusted crumbs from her lap. “So, I assume a decision has been made?” Her gaze roamed across the three of us, and for a moment, I felt like a small child being scolded by a teacher.
“Not yet,” Trent said. “I have a few questions, if you don’t mind.”
Ivy smiled, her lips pinched. “By all means.” She waved her hand for him to continue.
“Chloe and I have already sworn a blood oath to you, but from what I understand, you want us to swear another one, correct? One that will guarantee we align ourselves with your coven?” Trent asked calmly.
Everything inside of me froze with fear—Ivy hadn’t said anything last time about making us sign another blood oath. I knew Isach would have to, but why did Trent and I have to?
“Correct.” Ivy nodded thoughtfully.
“And if we refuse?” Trent raised a brow. His tone was still calm