“You’re making a mistake.”
He opened his eyes as Marlene’s sobs reached his ears from the other side. He stared hard at Lady Catharine who stood nonchalantly across from him. “You know nothing,” he growled.
He pushed away from the door and prayed that she would leave him be, but she did not. It wasn’t in her nature. He knew this, and yet he always allowed it. If there was ever a time he decided to give up his role as the High Priest, he knew who he would nominate in his stead.
“Don’t I?” she returned, easily keeping pace with him. “I lost more than you shall ever know. Or have you already forgotten about my dear Angela?”
He stopped abruptly, clenching his fists at his sides. He didn’t turn to her. “I remember all too well the grief that was your constant companion all those years.” Now he pinned her with a stare. “I grieved for you, but I do not wish to share the same anguish. If anything happened to Marlene, life would lose all its meaning.”
“If you refuse to allow her to stand at your side, you may live to regret it.”
“Regret is better than loss,” he snapped. “I will hear no more of this. My decision stands. If anyone moves against me, they shall suffer the consequences.” With that parting threat, he continued walking. “The hour of reckoning draws near. I suggest you prepare for the eventuality.”
For years, Marlene had felt trapped. Since she was a child and gained the illness that almost cost her very life, she had been struggling to find some sense of purpose. When her parents died, she was lost, a fallen leaf upon the wind, not sure of her direction.
Once she had risen from her fever, she had never been the same. She had always known that something was… different, but she couldn’t quite comprehend what it was.
From the moment she’d arrived at Rosedale Heights, she had known her life was never going to be the same, but she hadn’t been sure how. Although the change was difficult to pinpoint at first, she started to learn that this was where she belonged—as well as with whom she belonged.
The cards of fate had long been dealt. She had been destined to become a witch. The illness had been just the start of a long journey that had come to fruition at last. She hadn’t understood it all, but once she realized that her ancestor had been the one leading her along, she could not deny the truth. She had been meant to find Alaric. It all came down to one moment, and she was not about to miss her chance to make the difference she was born to do.
But how would she escape this prison he’d put her in? How might she prove to him that he didn’t need to protect her? She didn’t need saving any longer. But he did.
Hours passed, and Marlene could feel the energy starting to vibrate through the house. The guests were arriving. Perhaps even Hector had made an appearance, while she was stuck in this chamber, unable to do more than pace the floor. Anytime she moved toward the door, she would become mired in something thick, as if she were walking through the bogs among the moors. It was the sensation of deep mud sucking her down until she could little more than crawl, but there was nothing there. She would reach out her arm, her fingers nearly grasping the handle, but still remain just out of touch.
Frustration poured through her, because no matter how many times she might attempt to break the spell and find her way out, to find a weakness in the chain, it would push her back even farther away from escape.
She supposed that Alaric wasn’t the High Priest for no reason. He had to be powerful to obtain such a revered standing.
Marlene was staring out the window, watching as the final rays of sunset started to sink over the horizon, when there was a ripple of magic that flowed through the room.
A strong breeze swept over Marlene as the seal covering the door was lifted and it opened to reveal Lady Catharine. She strode inside with her usual air of confidence. Her long, dark hair trailed behind her back, and the deep red gown she wore was embedded with hundreds of tiny crystals that caught the light and shone with a remarkable brilliance with every step she took.
“We don’t have much time before Alaric discovers what I’ve done.”
Marlene had never been sure if she could fully trust this woman, and even now, her actions made her ponder the reasons why. “What do you gain from assisting me?”
There was a delicate snort, and then Lady Catharine’s dark eyes lifted. “I want to ensure that Hector pays for his sins. He killed my first love, and I wish to see him burn in hell for all eternity.” In nearly the same breath, she offered a dazzling smile as a magnificent gown appeared out of thin air. “Ah. This should do quite nicely. Quickly now.”
She ushered Marlene with a wave of her hand, but rather than help her out of her current attire, with a snap of Lady Catharine’s fingers, Marlene was wearing the gown, her hair and accessories in place. A toilette that would have taken her hours to complete was assembled in a matter of moments. She glanced in the mirror and blinked at the reflection staring back at her. “How did you—?”
“There isn’t time for questions right now. We must get you to the ballroom.” Catharine grasped Marlene’s hand and tugged her along behind.
Marlene smoothed a hand down the watered coral silk embroidered with seed pearls and winking gemstones in every color. She was a prism of rainbows and light, the perfect opposite of Lady Catharine’s dark, sultry exterior.
“I do hope you have a plan,” she murmured.
Lady Catharine’s mouth turned up in the corner. “I wouldn’t have collected you if I didn’t.” As they reached the entrance to the ballroom, she took Marlene to the side and grasped her shoulders. “I’m sure that Alaric told you Hector has the ability to alter his form at will.” When Marlene nodded, Lady Catharine continued. “The only reason he will be at this event tonight is for you and the power he believes you possess. To put it plainly, Miss St. Clair, I fear that you are the bait to draw Hector out of hiding.”
Although Marlene wasn’t surprised that was her purpose, she was taken aback at the ease with which Lady Catharine spoke, as if being pursued by a man in league with the devil himself in order to free his master and open the gates of hell wasn’t anything of concern.
“At least,” Lady Catharine continued. “That was the idea of the rest of the coven. However, that isn’t why I rescued you.”
Marlene glanced at her curiously. “It isn’t?”
“No. But before I tell you my plan, we must bring some color back into your cheeks.” A silver chalice formed in midair. She held it out to her. “Drink this.”
She glanced curiously at the red liquid inside. “This isn’t blood, is it?”
