“What is to become of her?” He rather liked the idea of burning at the stake as they did ages ago but knew that wouldn’t happen.
“We will bind her power, but it will take every witch in Bocka Morrow to see it done.”
“They will help?” he asked to be certain.
“Our power is never to be used to harm another. The fact that it was Miss Cordelia who had been the victim, someone known to the witches who make their home in Bocka Morrow, I have no doubt that each of them will offer their abilities to see it done.”
“Then what will happen?”
“Miss Perkins will be sent to stand before the Witches’ Council.”
Maybe they’d keep her locked up for good.
“We will see it done tonight under the moon and at the center of the grove,” his mother promised.
“However, your future is still uncertain,” Madam Boswell interrupted.
“What do you mean?” Damon and his mother asked at the same time, though she was more upset than he.
“Cordelia doesn’t believe the sign of the vine. She’s lost trust in everything she believed to be true and is wondering what is real and what isn’t. She wonders that if her memories hadn’t been changed and if she had been allowed to grow with them if the vine would have even chosen her because she would have been different. She is uncertain of who she is and who she is supposed to be.”
“Then I need to go to her,” Damon bit out as panic rose. He couldn’t lose her. Not now. He needed Cordelia in ways he couldn’t explain. She belonged to him and if he were to be honest, he knew that the moment he saw her.
“No.” Madam Boswell’s tone brooked no argument. “You must leave her be for now. Nothing you can say or do will change anything. Her mind is not yet settled and won’t believe anything you say. She must be given time to come to clarity and then you can go to her.”
“Time?” he yelled. “How much time?”
Madam Boswell shook her head. “That, I do not know.”
Bloody visions and cryptic messages would see him in Bedlam one day. He needed answers. He needed to be with Cordelia. Heneededto make this right and take care of her.
Madam Boswell looked to her family. “You will also give her what she needs, even if it means you must keep your distance.”
Adriana and Edward nodded. Lynwood frowned, his eyes full of hatred, but Damon knew that it wasn’t directed at anyone here, but at his deceased grandfather.
“Go home and be there for when she is ready,” Madam Boswell said.
“I will go with you. I will keep my distance as instructed, but I want to be there for her.”
Lynwood nodded and they slowly walked back to Hollybrook Park. Nobody said a word, but what was there to say? They were probably still as stunned as Damon was. Except, they were likely thinking about how horrible their grandfather was while Damon feared Cordelia was believing the things the man had said about her person, all of which were untrue except that fact that she was sensible and intelligent. That was the only compliment that man had offered that day.
Lady Lynwood paced inside the entry when they entered.
“What happened? Cordelia came home and all she said was that she needed to be alone.”
Lynwood blew out a sigh. “I’ll explain in a moment.”
“I’m going to my room,” Adriana said and looked as if she wished to cry. “I’ll never forgive my grandfather. Never!” With that she turned and ran up the stairs. A moment later he heard a door slam from somewhere above.
“Me too,” Edward grumbled, not in a surly manner, but with deep sadness.
They had probably come to the realization that they’d been denied the sister they were supposed to have had and felt guilty for the years of resentment and treatment they’d mentioned at Madam Boswell’s.
Damon turned to the butler. “Have a footman go to Nightshade Manor to deliver the message that Miss Adriana needs Lady Larisa.”
The butler nodded and disappeared down a corridor.
Damon watched Edward trudge up the stairs as if he carried a heavy weight. It would take some time before the family fully came to terms with what was revealed to them today. If they ever did.
