“It’s because it’s October. Main Street used to be our territory. A wolf wouldn’t dare to come here. Now they’re everywhere,” she complains, crossing her arms.
“They’re just people, grand-mère.”
“Tell that to your dead coven members,” she snaps back.
I’m not sure why I grow a spine at that moment. Maybe it’s because I know she’s lying, or Silas’ words from last night.
“You know, I can’t find anything about coven members being attacked in the archives. Nor can I find any reason why we’ve been feuding with the wolves for so long.”
“You know our records are mostly verbally based to protect the sanctity of the coven.”
“I also note that every single Celestial Coven owned business on Main Street has done better since Walker Industries took over, and they haven’t raised any of their rents.”
“Yet, he hasn’t raised it yet.”
I cross my arms, realizing that my witch outfit is a little too tits out for this argument, but I don’t care.
“He offered peace. You didn’t take it. Maybe the coven is the problem here.”
My grand-mère’s clear blue eyes flash and she rests her hand on the table in front of us, pushing aside the Kit-Kats and Sour Patch Kids.
“Do you need a reminder of why and who we are? All the witches who died at the stake so that you could sit out here dressed like a stereotype and live amongst the greedy, stupid humans? Or must you be reminded of your conditions prior to this coven? I am your blood, the reason you get to practice magic and flitter around that decrepitate disaster of a purple monstrosity every day. Perhaps you don’t have what it takes to lead the coven one day. Perhaps I made an error in my judgment. Surely Iris is more cunning, Ember more relatable and good with the soil. There’s also Hazel and Rosalee. Their devotion to the coven has never come into question. Act like a respectable witch or I shall show you nothing but the harsh realities of what it is to be on my wrong side.”
I swallow, my confidence leaving me immediately.
“Yes, grand-mère, I understand.”
She lifts her hands off the table, straightening her dress and looking across the street.
“I’m going to retire for the evening. Do make sure the patrons of Goddess Apothecary know we are the best and only place to get their beauty and health needs,” she says, glaring one more time across the street.
Where Silas is staring at us, no doubt listening in. Can wolves hear that far?
My grandmother walks away, and Ember has a hand on my back.
“Are you okay? That was a bit of a reaction,” Ember asks.
“Do you think she’s onto us?” Iris asks.
“I don’t think so. I’m just going to get some fresh air,” I say.
“Violet, we’re outside,” Ember says and I wave her off as I walk a block down and slip through the alleyway.
The cool, rough brick presses against my back as I wrap my arms around myself.
I realize I can’t live this way. I can’t live a lie.
Not only the lie of who I really am, but I can’t blindly follow my grand-mère anymore. The wolves’ distrust of witches is just as backward as ours of the wolves. But with Silas at the helm of the pack? With the coven discovering that the modern world is beyond ourselves? Real change feels possible.
Change doesn’t happen in a day, far from it.
I need a plan, a real plan on how we can make the coven see the light and how the hell I’m going to come out with my own secret.
Something tells me that my mother is the key to solving all of this, and that’s where I’ll have to start. Along with dissolving this hex with Silas, even if I’ve made my choice, I need to know thatwhat’s between us is real and not the magic I unknowingly cast as a teenager.
“Are you alright?” his familiar voice says, startling and comforting me at the same time.
“How much of that did you hear?”
