“She’s not a member of our community!” Angelique screeched, her voice filled with panic, anger, and outrage. “Coral doesn’t even belong to a coven. She cannot claim the protection of the Council!”
“Although a novice, she’s still a witch,” Mrs. Hopkins countered in a tone that brooked no argument. “As the older witchandone of the two who introduced her to the craft, you had a duty to protect her, not undermine her. Whether she belongs to a coven or not is irrelevant. Coral knows us and is known to us. In fact, had your malicious plans not derailed her schedule, she would be at our headquarters as we speak, formalizing the paperwork for her Liderc.”
She then turned to look at Myrtil and gestured for her to approach. I had never seen the High Priestess looking so humbled, so small. Even if she had followed the rules by not giving unfair protection to Angelique, I strongly believed she got chewed out about the entire situation prior to coming here. And my gut told me that she’d get another generous earful afterwards, now that their suspicions were confirmed.
“Angelique Delaney, you have proven yourself to be reckless and dangerous,” Mrs. Hopkins said in a solemn tone. “Therefore, until your trial, you shall be stripped of your power.”
My jaw dropped.
“What?!” Angelique exclaimed, horrified.
Ignoring her, the High Witch Examiner glanced back at Myrtil.
“Collar your witch,” Mrs. Hopkins said, gesturing with her head for her to proceed.
“No! You can’t do this! Do you know who I am?!” Angie shouted.
“Enough, you foolish girl,” Myrtil hissed at last under her breath. “You’re in enough trouble as is. Don’t make things worse. You will have the trial to defend yourself.”
I couldn’t tell if this was proof of a blood bond between them, or Myrtil merely attempting to limit the damage. As this scandal involved the top witch in her coven, the rumors and then the outcome would negatively impact all of them. I didn’t doubt Myrtil would fight tooth and nail to obtain leniency for Angie. Even though I was the slighted party, due to the nature of the crime, I wouldn’t be able to unilaterally request that they drop the charges. This was now the Council’s case. Their rules had been broken. And judging by Mrs. Hopkins demeanor, she would want to make an example out of Angelique.
For the second time today—something that hadn’t happened in a very long time—I felt sorry for her.
Still, she tried to resist when her head priestess placed an iron collar around her neck. It wasn’t fancy, but it was delicate enough to be worn comfortably with any outfit, and even to sleep with. The runic symbols that enabled its magic neutralization effect actually made it look stylish. To the layman, it would only be deemed a cool accessory.
Once done, Myrtil escorted Angie out of the workshop. For the first time in the more than a year since I knew her, I saw genuine tears welling in Angelique’s eyes and trickling down her cheeks. I couldn’t begin to imagine what being stripped of her power would be like for someone like Angelique whose entire sense of worth revolved around her magic and all the things thatmade her superior to others. This punishment alone was a devastating blow to her. Knowing that it was only the tip of the iceberg truly tried my empathic side.
As soon as they were out of the room, Mrs. Hopkins turned back to face me. That woman was intimidating as fuck. The rational side of me—with a proper sense of self-preservation—wanted to wither before her and stay quiet until she provided further instructions. But the other, bolder side of me—that had steadily been blossoming under the supportive and nurturing presence of my demon—decided to run its mouth.
“The bags weren’t too full, were they?” I asked with a dare in my voice. “You put that egg under my armpit on purpose, didn’t you?”
The smugness with which she smirked was all the confirmation I needed. Although that thought had crossed my mind on multiple occasions since Vazul hatched, it still floored me to accept this as the reality I’d been too blind to see for over a year.
“You were always the better fit,” Mrs. Hopkins said with a shrug. “But you need better friends. That coven is nothing but a den of snakes. You do not belong there. Sophia is decent enough, but the others are vultures. My words don’t surprise you. It was so obvious that you made no effort to join them. Smart decision, except for the part where you neglected to work on the craft.”
I shifted on my feet with embarrassment. How did that woman manage to so easily make me feel like a naughty kid being chastised by her professor? Vazul caressed my back in a soothing fashion although his eyes remained glued on the High Witch Examiner.
“You must work on your magic and join a coven. You cannot stay this clueless and especially not with your house unprotected,” Mrs. Hopkins continued sternly with an unimpressed look and her nose wrinkled as she glanced around the room. “There isn’t a single ward to be seen anywhere. Had you done the basic work, that fire Angie intended for your house wouldn’t havestood a chance. In fact, her glamour and locksmith spell would have had no effect.”
“She has resumed learning new spells,” Vazul interjected, his tone slightly defensive as he tightened a protective arm around me.
Fuck, I could kiss him right now.
“Yeah, I have,” I concurred sheepishly.
The amused smile Mrs. Hopkins cast towards Vazul before she glanced back at me softened her face in a way I had never seen before.
“I’m pleased to hear it. I will expect you at my covenstead the day after the fair is over. We’ll make something out of you yet,” she said in an imperious tone while giving me an assessing look.
“What?!” I breathed out, flabbergasted.
“You heard me, young lady. I’ll send you the coordinates shortly. Be on time, and do not disappoint me,” she said sternly.
I stood there gaping, my mind reeling. You didn’t get so casually invited to join a coven, least of all one where the Head Priestess—which I assumed Mrs. Hopkins was—also happened to be a very high-ranking official within the Council of Witches. You didn’t hold such a position unless you were extremely powerful. That she would invite someone like me was a tremendous compliment. Normally, you begged, groveled, and spent months—sometimes even years—trying to prove yourself worthy before they would even give you the time of day.
Her face softened again, and she smiled in an almost maternal fashion that gave me an even bigger whiplash than Vazul with his abrupt switches between being savagely honest and divinely sweet.
“It took you mere hours to hatch a Liderc who refused all others for years. Angie wasn’t the first owner of that egg,” Mrs. Hopkins said in a gentle voice. “And in the short time by your side, you have earned his complete and unwavering loyalty.That, more than any test or trial I could subject you to, proves your worth. Do not be late.”
