“Speaking of, we have gained a few new coven members since you left us,” Elizabeth says as if I went on a little holiday. “Descendants blessed with the craft. I believe your pet knows one of them.” She raises her voice and calls out, “Riley, darling, come say hello.”
Riley?Was this not the name of…
Beside me, Hannah goes rigid. Her sharp inhale cuts through the room. As soft footsteps approach in the foyer, her eyes widen and her face pales.
A young woman enters wearing a crimson cloak with the hood swept back. Her power is tangible beneath my skin, hot and prickling—a formidable witch in the making.
At first, I see no relation to Rebecca. She’s just a fawn, uncertain and wide-eyed, with dark curls, brown skin dusted with freckles, and a lean, strong frame. But the more I look, the more Rebecca’s features peek through: striking cheekbones, straight nose, light brown eyes that calculate everything around her.
Elizabeth’s teacup clinks against its saucer, the sound too loud in the silence. “The coven elected me as the new High Priestess, by the way. So she and Rebecca have been staying with me while she completes her apprenticeship. Last night was her first coven circle.”
Hannah has eyes only for the girl who broke her heart. “You’re really a witch,” she says through clenched teeth, her eyes growing glossy.
Fire surges through me as this girl who Hannah once loved lands in our midst. Who Hannah probablystillloves. My fingers curl into claws, but I say nothing, afraid of what comments I’ll invite if I defend Hannah in front of Rebecca.
Riley’s eyes become glossy too. “I’m sorry. I had to.”
“Had to what?” Hannah swipes her damp cheeks with a trembling hand. “Pretend you loved me so you could plant a cursed journal on me?”
Riley shakes her head, her eyebrows pulling down with desperation. “Break up with you. I didn’t know I was— That I would—” Her breaths quicken, and she looks to Rebecca as if seeking reassurance.
Rebecca strides over and places a hand on Riley’s shoulder. “When Riley came into her magic, her mother passed the journal down with the intent that she keeps it guarded, as all the women in my lineage have done since I cursed you.”
“I only just found out I’m a witch,” Riley blurts.
Hannah glares, this explanation evidently not good enough.
Before these star-crossed lovers can lament their breakup any further, I huff, smoothing my cloak. “So you got your revenge by sealing me inside a book,” I say to Rebecca. “You passed it down to keep it safe, but this girl gave it away to someone who accidentally set me free.”
Riley shifts, casting a guilty glance at Rebecca before dropping her gaze to her feet. She twists her fingers together.
“Why not just kill me?” I snap.
Rebecca tilts her head. “And let you get away with what you did? No, I’d rather force you to understand how it feels to be dependent on someone. I want you to feel the terrifying intimacy of giving someone power over your very existence.”
Her gaze flicks to Hannah, a satisfied smile curving her lips.
An icy sensation fills me. I should have known her curse had layers. It was carefully calculated revenge that took months to plan and execute.
“You all knew about this and didn’t stop her?” I ask Elizabeth, hating how my voice wavers.
Elizabeth raises her hands. “I swear on Mother Earth, I had no idea. I thought you disappeared of your own volition again.”
“This is between you and me,” Rebecca says.
Hannah scoffs, gesturing at everyone in the room. “Maybe at one time. I think it’s safe to say the shit hit the fan, lady.”
My nails dig into my palms. Enough of this. “Spells can be broken. Tell me how.”
Rebecca walks to the fireplace, gazing into it. The light catches the silver in her hair.
Elizabeth sinks back into her chair with a sigh. “Rebecca, surely after a century you’ve had time to cool off. At least give her a chance.”
When Rebecca turns back to face us, the glimmer in her eyes sends a chill through me. “Total surrender.”
Beside me, Hannah stiffens.
I narrow my eyes. “What do you mean?”
