‘I’m here,’I replied—which wasn’t an answer. Heidi seemed happy with my response regardless. I felt the relief she felt through the link of her magic.
‘Pay attention. We are to be placed under temporary arrest—‘she began.
‘Arrested for what?’I interrupted, panicked.
‘Apparently, it looked like we were practising inter-coven magic,’she explained.
‘That’s ridiculous!’I replied. I knew what inter-coven magic was. It was highly advanced magic and had been banned—outlawed—for centuries, a taboo even among non-witch communities. But there were stories, histories, or myths—I don’t think anyone really knew any more—about the possibilities that inter-coven magic was capable of.
‘So you know what inter-coven magic is. At least it saves some explanation,’she continued. I groaned internally.
‘I might not have grown up within a House or Coven, but I don’t think there’s a person alive in the kingdom that doesn’t know the legends of inter-coven magic,’I replied. Heidi alwaysseemed surprised when I knew anything at all, and it had never ceased to be insulting.
‘Do you know the penalty for witches convicted of such a crime?’she asked. I didn’t. She must have felt my uncertainty because she continued,‘Execution—by burning.’
‘Burning?’
‘The only way to ensure a witch convicted of inter-coven magic stays dead,’Heidi answered.
‘Stays dead?’I asked, but I felt the connection end as my attention was drawn to Selene.
“Pet,” she called. “What happened here?” Her jaw was tense, but her eyes softened when she turned away from President Minerva and looked at me.
“I was practising harnessing my magic under Heidi and Ana’s instructions. Then… then…” I looked at the dead guard only a couple of steps away from me, distracted. He had started all this, and now he was dead. “Why couldn’t he have just asked us what we were doing?” I asked, frustrated and angry. “Why did he have to, to…”
I stopped myself from speaking further, an awful mixture of anger and guilt swirling within me. Was this another death on my conscience? How many had died now because of me? Evie, Desdemona, Remy, the driver, this unnamed guard? Five? Was it only five?
A hand gripped my jaw firmly and tilted my gaze up and away from the body of the Academy guard.
“Enough of that,” Selene commanded, her voice low and soft. “His death is his own doing,” she told me, as if reading my mind.
I nodded my assent, calmed by her touch.
“My Royal Highness, the matter at hand must be addressed,” President Minerva said.
Selene did not look away from me or release my jaw from her grip as she replied. Her attention seemed fully on me, as if President Minerva and the rest of the situation were nothing more than a nuisance.
“The matter is settled. Your guard was brash, quick to action without thought or scrutiny, heavy-handed with my love, and very well might have caused serious tensions between the Academy, his House and every coven of the land. He has paid the price. Sanguis Academy, under your care, has failed to provide the level of protection expected of an institution entrusted with my kingdom's future leaders.” Selene’s answer was as sharp as her tone. Yet her eyes softened momentarily as she squeezed my jaw slightly before releasing me and turning her attention back to the others.
“The matter is hardly settled for me. I was assured that Sanguis Academy was safe for witches,” Heidi added. “My grandmother will be informed of today's events.”
“The matter is not settled. The accusation of inter-coven magic must be adequately investigated. Your personal favour cannot sweep this away,” President Minerva replied, and I wasn’t sure if she was addressing Selene or Heidi.
“On what basis do you accuse me of such a crime?” Heidi asked, her stance squared, her voice strained. She still wielded her power over half the Academy guard. I noticed that Ana had already released her hold. Perhaps her magic only worked for as long as she held her scream? I did not know, and I knew it would be impolite to ask if Ana did not offer the information freely herself.
“Lady Coactus, you do not stand accused and are free to leave.” President Minerva turned her gaze to me and then to Ana. “Percy Flores and Ana Syngeneia, you will be placed under arrest until the investigation of the charge of inter-coven magic has been completed,” President Minerva declared.
The growl that left Selene was loud and fierce. I jumped with fright as a hand landed on my shoulder. I looked up at Rylan's rugged face, noticing his beard was becoming unkempt. He had joked that he was growing it to keep his face warm in the coming winter when I had teased him earlier in the week.
“Any attempt to take my Pet from me will be accepted as a declaration of war—a war of which you will be the first casualty, President Minerva,” Selene hissed.
Threatening to kill the President of Sanguis Academy seemed like a very serious threat to me, but I didn’t doubt Selene’s sincerity. I sometimes worried over how far Selene would go to keep me safe. Usually, I feared that I’d end up locked in a room, not allowed to leave for my safety. Now I worried whether she’d really start a war over me.
No one else needed to die because of me.
The guards not under Heidi’s magic readied themselves, at which President Minerva raised her hand to settle them.
“There is evidence of inter-coven magic has taken place—evidence that we currently stand upon. You are well aware of the law,” President Minerva answered resolutely, her tone almost pleading.
