“Natalie, careful!” I cry as jagged pieces rocket toward Hazel.
But Oaklyn shields her, using her dagger to unleash twisted roots. They link together like gnarled fingers, forming a protective wall in front of Hazel.
“That was shitty of you, Katie,” Oaklyn says as everything falls to the ground. “Using your bestie as a spy? Come on.”
My heart plummets into the cracked earth beneath my feet. She knows? But that means—
“Hazel, get away from her!” I shout. I try to move forward, but Natalie holds me back, her grip strong on my arm.
My breaths come fast, my chest constricting. I don’t understand. If she found out Hazel’s secret, then why is Hazel here? And why is Oaklyn protecting her?
Hazel’s eyes meet mine, something hard there I’ve never seen before. “I told you I wanted to talk first.”
“There wasn’t time! We were on our way to the chimeras, and I needed to—” I cut myself off with a wave of my hand. This isn’t the moment to try and explain my decision to steer the witches away from the chimeras, and as Hazel and Oaklyn both narrow their eyes at the mention of chimeras, it’s clear I’ve already said too much. “Hazel, what’s going on?”
“I’ve learned all I need to know about what your coven does,” she says, her voice strange and cold. “They hoard magic, deciding who’s worthy and who isn’t.”
I step back as if punched.What?
Hearing those words come out of her mouth… It’s wrong, like Freddie Madsen is speaking through her. I’m transported back to the trunk of the FJ Cruiser, questioning everything as Freddie preached to me. And later, in the halls of C.S.A.M.M., almost losing Natalie when I briefly believed him.
Did Oaklyn get to Hazel?
I thought I explained it. I thought she understood.
I mentally travel back through the last few days, trying to fit the pieces together. Has she been acting strange? Did I fail to notice the signs that she was buying into the Madsens’ cause? I knew she was struggling to reconcile her feelings for Oaklyn, but I didn’t think it would come tothis.
Natalie’s grip on my arm tightens—holding me back from danger as usual. But this time, we’re staring into my best friend’s eyes.
Oaklyn’s lip curls as she watches me—probably taking satisfaction in seeing the horror dawn on my face. Her fingers slide possessively around the back of Hazel’s neck.
“They’re—they’re murderers!” I splutter, my lips numb.
“They’re fighting for equality.” Hazel’s fists are clenched, her chest heaving. “Magic should be available to anyone who wants to learn how to do it. You, of all people, should agree.”
Heat rises in my face as she brings up my own frustrations with the coven. She doesn’t understand the full picture.
Oaklyn toys with Hazel’s hair as she caresses the back of her neck, and I shiver just watching it. How could Hazel fall for someone so awful?
“It’s more complicated than that, Hazel,” I say. “Natalie and I will explain it to you.”
I clearly didn’t give her enough information. She’s smart—she’ll get it if I explain. I can fix this.
The Shadows are still attacking from both the ground and the shattered penthouse window. Sophia is holding strong, inching closer to the vehicle with each retaliating blast. Despite being outnumbered, she looks like she’s about five seconds from obliterating us all if we try to block her path any further.
Natalie keeps her palms up and nods toward Sophia. “You really think anyone should have access to magic? Look at what the people you’re siding with are choosing to do with it.”
Yes.My heart jumps as she makes the argument, and I look quickly at Hazel, hoping to see a flash of understanding.
But her face is set.
Oaklyn laughs. “Whatwedo with it? You had magic locked in cages. Your coven controls its members with an iron fist.”
Wyatt barks, frantically digging at the concrete beneath the parked sedan where Ethel is hiding—doing her part in this fight by keeping the dog’s teeth away from our legs.
Hazel breaks away from Oaklyn and runs toward the cargo van. My stomach drops further, sinking right into the ground.
“Hazel, don’t—” I start, but she’s already whipping the rear doors open.
