“Witch hunters.”
The fire hisses, swallowing up the gathered logs and spitting out tiny sparks.
“Urban legend.” Mar shakes her head dismissively, prodding the embers.
“The witches they massacred would disagree. How much do you know of your history, Blackblood?” the Matron asks, orange light glinting off the silver streaks in her hair.
“Only what I’ve read.” I swallow, feeling a bit self-conscious. “Ienar created the Blackbloods and then destroyed them.”
“Yes. When it became clear that he could no longer control your ancestors, he sought to extinguish their line along with the Bluebloods, to prevent them from ever turning. He recruited seven of the world’s most lethal hunters, and as a reward for their devotion, he bestowed each of their bloodlines with a drop of his power to pass through the generations. In exchange for a promise—that they would use their immortal lives and gifts to hunt down every Blue and Blackblood witch on this earth and destroy them.”
Ice pricks the back of my neck.
“Our ancestors were hunted—tortured to gruesome extents and scattered so that their souls could not pass through the After and findeternal rest. They are the reason we remain here, between the folds of the outside world, outside of time and space. We hide to survive.
“After the Blackbloods were killed, our kind scattered. Tried to remain unseen. And for a time we were successful. But two hundred years ago, the killings began to resurge. We believed a new generation of the Seven to be behind it. So the elders convened, and this place was born. It was decided that any and all Blueblood witches seeking asylum would be welcome here, on the condition that in order to leave, their magic be relinquished. Magic is easily traceable, and this camp was meant to function as a sanctuary. Most covens decided to join us here. They left behind their families, their spouses, their mates in hopes of protecting them. But some chose to stay behind in the outside world and take their safety into their own hands.”
“Your mother?” I turn to Zadyn.
“She chose to risk it. She refused to leave my father behind.”
“So even after Ienar died, they continued to hunt Blues?” I ask, glancing between the Matron and Mar. “Are they still out there?”
“No one has seen or heard from them in over a century.” Mar’s silver eyes link with mine. “Who knows if they’re still around.”
“Some say that Ienar isn’t truly gone,” the Matron says. That cold fear begins to trickle down my spine and fold me into its claws.
“That’s what the elders believe, at least,” Mar clarifies.
I nod toward the Matron. “Is that whatyoubelieve?”
She heaves a loud sigh, directing her pale gaze toward the flames. “I have accepted that we may never know. And if we don’t, then I take that as a good sign.”
A thousand thoughts skid across my mind. “But Furi destroyed him. She killed him the day the Blackbloods fell.”
“You will learn, girl, that just because something is killed does not mean it is dead.” Her eyes fall on Zadyn, and my throat tightens. Sensing my concern, he slides closer on the bench, pulling me into his side.
The Matron studies him for a moment, angling her head. “What did you say your mother’s name was, boy?”
The sound of excited squeals severs our conversation, drawing ourgazes skyward. I glance around at the Bluebloods, gasping and pointing up at the parting clouds. Mar loops her arm through her grandmother’s, leading her toward the crowd at the center of the clearing.
“Come on, I think it’s starting.” Zadyn slips his hand into mine and helps me off the bench.
“Where are we going?”
“I want to show you something.”
The twinkling lights of the camp grow farther away as Zadyn tows me through the woods.
“I’m not so sure a hike is the best thing for you right now,” I remind him, but he waves a hand, dismissing me.
Cicadas sing overhead as we duck beneath the moon-dipped trees. We help each other down a few boulders until we reach a long stretch of rock that ends in a steep drop. Stopping at the edge, we gaze across the chasm to the gentle waterfall on the other side.
“How did you even find this?” I ask over the calm rush of water.
“The guys and I went exploring earlier. Look,” Zadyn takes my shoulders and steers my gaze to the sky. “It’s so much better without the lights from the camp.”
A shadow begins to creep over the moon’s pearly face, bathing it in a warm red tone. We sprawl out on our backs and watch as it begins to turn a vibrant, bloody crimson.
