“Pierce Ledger.”
The room murmurs at the mention of my name.
There’s no lawyer present to speak on my behalf. No mortal laws here. No innocent until proven guilty. I have to prove my innocence of whatever crimes are being lobbed against me with nothing but my word. After seeing how some of the prisoners are tortured here, I have no desire to stay and find out if something worse than what I have already endured will be my fate.
Emmet’s threat circles my mind as I await further questioning. I have no idea what to expect. My heart hammers inside my chest, as my mind conjures up a million imaginary scenarios, trying to prepare myself for what could happen.
“You and your fraternity brothers are being accused of summoning a demon, in order to possess it for its powers. How do you plead?”
I look around the room taking in the menacing stares as they wait for my answer. My eyes snag on Pride sitting off to the side, as his dark eyes bore into me.
“Not guilty.”
The room erupts, causing the man in charge to bang the gavel several times.
“Thank you.”
“Tell us how you became possessed with the demon of Pride.”
I go into detail, explaining the night we were to be initiated. While the truth spills from my lips, I’m aware of Pride’s looming presence as he stares at me. The room listens to my account, with rapt attention.
“Thank you for your testimony. Guards, please escort Mr. Ledger back to his cell.”
“Wait, is that all?” I ask, as they unlock my chain from the floor.
“You’ll be notified of any changes.” The man says as he smacks the gavel down calling for a recess.
I’m thrown back into my cell, wondering if I made the right decision.
I’ve always heard that the truth will set you free, and I can only hope that that cliché holds true down here in the pit of purgatory.
ChapterFifty-Four
SALEM
SONG: LOST MY MIND (ACOUSTIC) BY ALICE KRISTIANSEN
Isit cross-legged on my bed with the grimoire open sifting through the pages. There are years’ worth of spells and history in here. I can’t believe my family kept this from me all this time.
I take notes on how to recharge my magic that don’t involve sex. There are several stones I can channel magic from, as well as a ritual done on the full moon. Certain herbs combined together into a tea have also been known to keep a steady stream of magic in a witch’s veins.
Walker snores lightly beside me, and I feel a surge of jealousy at his ability to rest. I’ve been a bundle of nerves since visiting my hometown. Every time I close my eyes, I see the bodies of my grandmother and mother laying there.
I flip to another page, finding a sleeping spell that I’m tempted to try. School starts back up tomorrow and with everything that’s happened in the last few months, I want nothing more than to forget about it all for a while. I read over the spell several times.
It seems easy enough.
I earmark it for later, stretching out. I haven’t found anything yet about removing a demon, but I’m determined to get this thing out of me, even if it did come in handy when my magic had been suppressed.
I pad through the house, looking for Skye. She’s been shut away with Lukas and Graham since we got back and I’m needing to see my friend. Thankfully, I find her curled up on the couch, iPad in hand as she sketches out a design.
“That looks gorgeous.” I say, noting the realism of the woman she’s drawing. I take the open seat next to her, tucking my legs up underneath me.
“Thanks. It’s due tomorrow, and I got caught up with the holidays. Plus, I lost track of time with the boys. I’m so freaking sore, it’s not even funny. What’s going on?” She shades in the woman’s dress.
“How was your Thanksgiving?” I ask, trying to distract myself.
“It was amazing. My dad came and picked me up in the camper and we parked down the coast in Oregon. He took us to the Goonies beach where we ate turkey sandwiches and caught up on life. I really missed him. He told me he’s dating someone, and I told him it’s about time. The man’s been single since my mom passed. I’m happy for him, it’s about time he started living his life.”
