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THE WITCH AND THE COWBOY

ThreeDotsPublishingLLC

Thecharactersandeventsportrayedinthisbookarefictitious Anysimilaritytorealpersons,livingordead,iscoincidentalandnotintendedbytheauthor Nopartofthisbookmaybereproduced,orstoredinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,or otherwise,withoutexpresswrittenpermissionofthepublisher

ISBN-13:9781234567890

ISBN-10:1477123456

Coverdesignby:RobbieWood LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2018675309 PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica

To my parents, for always making sure I had a horse to ride and a book to read

TitlePage

Copyright Dedication

ChapterOne

ChapterTwo

ChapterThree

ChapterFour

ChapterFive

ChapterSix

ChapterSeven

ChapterEight

ChapterNine

ChapterTen

ChapterEleven

ChapterTwelve

ChapterThirteen

ChapterFourteen

ChapterFifteen

ChapterSixteen

ChapterSeventeen

ChapterEighteen

ChapterNineteen

ChapterTwenty

ChapterTwenty-One

ChapterTwenty-Two

ChapterTwenty-Three

ChapterTwenty-Four

ChapterTwenty-Five

ChapterTwenty-Six

ChapterTwenty-Seven

ChapterTwenty-Eight

ChapterTwenty-Nine

ChapterThirty

ChapterThirty-One

ChapterThirty-Two

Epilogue

Acknowledgement

Abouttheauthor

CONTENTS

CHAPTERONE

Walker

“Loosenup,Walker,”Laneybegged IglancedupfromthecracklingfireI’dbeenstaringat.Itwasalreadyonitslastleg,thoughit’donlyburnedfora couplehours Asperusual,Sawyer’seffortstobuilditwerelackluster Wewereluckythemoonwasbrightandcasttheentire mountaininasoftglow.Wesatinagrassyfieldthatsprawledanacreinfrontofmyhouse,nexttoawoodsyvalley.Grass swayedeasilyinthebreeze,andstarsblanketedtheskyaboveus.Itwasnowondermymotherusedtocalltheplaceher pocketofpeace.

Peacefulornot,Icouldn’tfighttheshiversthatseizedmybody.

“I’dbelooserifitwasn’tsodamncold,”Ireplied

IglaredatSawyerpointedly.Hegrinnedatme,revealinghissinglecrookedtooththatallthewomenintownfound charmingandpulledhisgirlfriendofthemonth,Laney,closer Sheflashedhimaprettysmile,andheranhiscallusedhand throughherbleach-blondehair.

Beingathirdwheelsucked.

“I’llgogetmorefirewood,”Ihuffedandwalkedtowardthetreeline.

IdoubtedtheyheardmeoverLaney’sobnoxiousgiggles.Asmybootscrunchedacrossthecrispgrass,IcursedBrody forbailingontonight’splansandleavingmealonewiththetwoofthem Oh, well.

Itwasabeautifulnight,otherthanthechill,anditwasalwaysagoodthingformetoleavethehouseforsomething otherthanwork.Iapproachedtheforestthatbankedoffintothevalleyandtheriverthatranthroughit.Ilistenedcloserand hearditsfamiliarrush.Thewindlessenedundertheprotectionofthetrees,andIwasfinallywarmundermyCarharttjacket. AsIwalked,thetreesgrewmoreabundant,otherthanwhereasmallcreekcutapaththroughtheforest.

I’dwalkedalongsideit,allthewaytotheriver,manytimes.Partiallyforsomepeaceandquietandpartiallybecause therewaslittletodoinatownthesizeofawalnut

Ifoundanoaktreewithacouplefallenlimbsnearbyandgrabbedsomeofthesmallerpieces.Iwastemptedtoforget aboutthewoodandleavethehappycoupletothemselves,butI’dalreadytoldthemIwouldbringit Itriedtomakeahabitof followingthroughonpromises.Isighed,reacheddownforonemorepiece,andfellflatonmyface.

Might be time to slow down on the beers, Ithought.Iwasn’tahugedrinker,butIdidn’tknowanybody including Sawyer whocouldhangoutwithLaneysober

Ihauledmyselfoffthegroundandnearlyfellagain.Iwasn’tthat drunk.Therattlingofrocksdrewmyattentiontothe creekbank

An earthquake with a stronger aftershock? Ithought.

Alowhumresoundedthroughtheforestandfilledmyears Icouldn’tevenheartheriver Iscrambledtomyfeetand searchedforthesourceofthestrangenoise.

“Hello?”Icalled,likeanydumbassinahorrormovie.

Icouldstillseethedimglowofthefirebehindme,butinstinctdrewmedeeperintotheforest Ikneweverycreature thatlurkedinthesewoods,andnoneofthemhummed.

Iwatchedmystepsmorecloselyandavoidednearlyeverystraytwigorcrunchyleaf Thehumminggrewlouder,untilI couldmakeoutstrangechanting.ItwasspokeninaharshlanguageI’dneverheardbefore.

Thechatteringweavedthroughthetreesandalmosteclipsedmythoughts IfIcouldn’tseethatnoonewasthere,I would’vethoughtsomeonewhisperedthechantinmyears.Feargrippedmychest,butIcouldn’tstopfollowingthesound. Curiosity,strengthenedbythepullofthechant,andmyownsurvivalinstinctswarredagainsteachother.Iduckedbehindthe nearestjuniperandprayedmybroadformwouldbehiddenbyshadows Ineededtogetoutofhere. Now. Ipeekedaroundthetreeandstifledagasp. Treestumpssmoldered,asdidblackenedgrass Mygazedidn’tlingerthere,butonthemoltenrockthatencaseda woman,allthewayuptoherknees.Herhandswereboundinthick,coppershackles.Inscriptionsblazedontheshackles, thoughtheymadeaboutasmuchsenseasthechant,whichstillhummedthroughouttheforest.

Thewomanworeatorn,blackjumpsuitandahugegashbledfromherthigh.She’dbleedoutinminuteswithacutlike that,yetshedidn’tevenappearafraid.Herchinwastiltedwithatouchofdefiance,andherfieryhaircascadedfreelydown herback Shewasunnaturallypale,whichonlymadehercopperyeyesmorefrightening ShestaredatsomeoneIcouldn’tsee.Thoughshebarelygrippedlife,shesneered.

“You’refinallyabletobestme,friend Toobadyouhadtogethighonthedeathsofourkindtodoso”

“OhGod,”Iwhispered. Hereyesmetmine.

Run, shemouthed

Iwantedtorun everyinstinctinmybodyscreamedatmetorun,yetIstoodasstillasastatue,paralyzedbythe thought Adifferentwoman’sfaceflashedthroughmymind Anolder,kinderfacewithlaughlinesandmyblueeyes Afacethat wasruinedinthehitandrunthatkilledher.

ThoughIdoubtedthewomantrappedinthewoodswasoldenoughtobeamother, someone mustbelookingforher Someone’sworldwouldtiltoffitsaxiswithouther,allbecauseIwastooscaredtohelp.

Icouldn’tleaveher Iwasherlasthope.

Ipulledmypistolfromitsholsterandracedtowardher,thoughIdoubtedtheweaponwoulddomuchagainstwhatever hadcraftedhertrap.Ikeptitonmeforbearsandwolves,notbizarrehostagesituations.Thestrange,musicalchantgrew louderwithmyeverystep

Sheshookherheadfrantically,butIreachedforanearbyrockandignoredher.Ismashedtherocksthattrappedher legstonoavail Painlacedupmyarmfromtheimpact,butIhititagainandagain Thewomanswayedaboveme,andherleg brushedagainstmyneck.Hot,stickybloodstucktomyskin.Timewasrunningout.

Laughtertwinkledbehindme.Ispunaround,butonlydarkness,loomingtrees,andfallenpineconesgreetedme.

“Sillymortal,”abodiless,femininevoicepurred “Areyougoingtoshootme?”

“Whereareyou?”Ishouted.“Tooscaredtoshowyourface?”

MyvoicewasmorestablethanIfelt Myhandsshookatmysides,andmyheartthunderedsoloudly,italmostdrowned outthechant.Istrainedmyeyes,butIcouldn’tevendiscernasilhouetteamongthetrees.

“You’retheonethat’sscared,mortal,”thevoicecrooned.“Icansmellit.”

Nauseaseizedmystomach.Itwasnolongerthedesiretohelpthatkeptmeinplace,buttheweaknessofmyknees.

“Settle,mortal,”thevoicecontinued,“youwon’trememberthisanyway.”

“Dude,”Sawyersaid,“where’sthefirewood?”

Forasecond,Icouldonlystareathiminconfusion,thenIglancedatmyemptyhands.Laneypausedassaulting Sawyer’sneckwithhertonguelongenoughtoofferaconcernedlook “Youdrinktoomuch?”sheasked.

Ishookmyachinghead “Idon’tthinkso Ijust-justneedtogethomeisall It’slate IshouldcheckonCadence” Sawyerthrewhisheadbackdramatically,andLaneyalmostfelloutofhislap.IfIwasn’tsooverwhelmedbythe strongurgetocheckonmysister,Iwould’velaughed.

“Youcan’tevengetthefirewood?”hecomplained.

Igrewmoreimpatientwiththeconversationwitheverypassingbreath.

“Getityourself,”Isaidandturnedtowalkhome

“Man,Idon’tgetyou,”hecalled,“you’vebeencrazyoverprotectiveeversince ”

AsIheardwhathedidn’tsay,mystepsstuttered

Ever since your mom died.

Well,Momdidn’tjustdie.Shewas killed, andnotevenmaliciously,butbysomeidiotouttherewhohadthebright ideatodrivedrunk.AnythingcouldhappentoCady theworldoverflowedwithidiots.Myheadachedwithworry.

IshutoffallthoughtsofSawyerandhurriedhometomysister.IkeptapacethatleftmebreathlessuntilIfinallyswung opentheolddoorsofourhouse,creptdownthedankhall,andslippedintoherroom

MoonlightpooledoverCadence’slightlytannedskin.Lightbrown,ram-rodstraighthairfannedacrossherpillow.Her littlefacewasscrunchedup,likeshe’deatenasourlemon She'dalwayshadvividdreams

Isatontheedgeofherfrilly,pinkbed,andstaredather.Icouldn’tstopmyself.Ihadtoassuremyselfshewassafe, thoughIdidn’tknowwhy.MaybeIhadseparationanxiety,likeSawyersaid.

Icouldn’trememberwhatexactlyhadtriggeredtheneedtoseeherandeverytimeItriedtopinpointit,myhead throbbed.I’dprobablyjustdranktoomuchandgottenspooked.Alcoholhadthetendencytomakemeuneasy.

Afterstaringatherforafewmoremoments,Ifeltlikeacreepandlefthertoherdreams Thetinyhallthatledtomy roomneededtobeswept,butatleasttherewasminimaldustonthefamilyphotosthathungonthewalls.Dad’ssnoringfilled thespace,despitehiscloseddoor Irolledmyeyesandcontinuedtomyroom,whichwasfarthestdownthehall,nextto Cadence’s.

UnlikeCadence’sridiculouslydecoratedroom,minehadfourbeigewalls,adornedonlybysomeshelvesandaGeorge Straitposter Itippedmyhatatthecountrylegend,whichremindedmeofhowdesperatelyIneededsleep

Istoodbeforethemirroronmydresserandstudiedmyself.Myfeatureshadn’tchanged mybrownhairstillcurled undermyhat,andmycheekswerestillatouchtoochubbytobechiseled butmyblueeyeswerehollow Somethingonmy neckcaughtmyattention.

Itwasblood.Imust’vecutmyselfonastraybranch.Ithoughtbacktowhathadhappenedintheforest.Myheadache worsened.

I grabbed the firewood, heard something that frightened me, and headed back to camp, right? Right?

CHAPTERTWO

Freya

Thebonewasdryandbrittleinmyhand.Itwasapoorremnantofmymother.Itmatchedmycream,lacedress.Itoyed withoneoftheflaredsleevesandswallowed Iloathedthecolorofdeath

I’dwornfartoomuchofitlately.

“She’sinSummerlandnow,”Josephineremindedme “She’llreturntothisplaneoneday”

But,accordingtotheElders,shewouldn’treturnasmymother.Shewouldbesomeotherwitch,oraflower,ormaybe evenaswan,butSybilRedfernwasgone.Forever.

So unfair

Iwasonlyeighteenyearsold practicallyababybyawitch’sstandard.Iwasn’tmeanttolosemymotheryet.

Iscuffedmybootagainstthesmooth,blackstonefloorofJosephine’sapartment MomneverfavoredJosephine’smore modernstyle.Istudiedthewhitegranitecountertop,andthevariousherbsneatlyorganizedinglasscabinetsbeyondtheisland.

TherestofthecovenenjoyedtheapartmentsJosephinedesigned.Eachoneinthebuildingwasinuse.Ialwaysadmired mygoddessmother’seyeforsleekchoices,thoughMom’scozieraesthetichadalwaysfeltlikehome.Still,Icouldn’tbring myselftoreturntoourquaintcottage.Itwasfartooquietwithoutmymother’slaughtertofillit.

“Ican’tseestraightwithsomanycleanlines,”MomwouldsayaboutJosephine’splace Likemanythingsshesaid,it madelittleandlotsofsense.

Arionrubbedagainstmylegsinanattempttocomfortme Ipettedmyloyalfamiliar,whowascurrentlyinthebodyofa lovelycalico.Hepeeredatmewithround,ambereyes,onlyafewshadeslighterthanmyown.

“Youneedtoletgo,”Josephinesaidgently.“It’swhatshewouldwant.”

Herfacedidn’tmatchherwords.Herdarkbrowsscrunchedoverglassy,greeneyes,andherusuallyoliveskinwas pale.Shetoyedwithoneofhermanynecklaces.Josephinetriedtobestrongforme,butIknewshelovedMomasmuchasI did ShewasjusttryingtoeatwhattheEldersfedussoshecouldfeelbetter

“Shewouldwantmetofindwhokilledher andalltheotherwitches,”Iargued.“Shewouldwantmeto end them.”

Circe, Luna, Rose, Helena

Theirnamesranginmyhead.Asthefutureleaderofourcoven,Icarriedtheweightoftheirdeathsonmyshoulders. Hecateknewitwasuptometoendthedeaths,consideringthelousyjobtheEldershaddonetostopit.Mymotherand Josephinehadbeentheonlyonestotakeaction,andithadgottenMomkilled Iwouldn’tletmygoddessmotherdienextorany otherwitch.

“Itwasherdyingwishtosaveus,”Icontinued

“Andyouwill.”Josephinesmiled.“BecauseIfoundthekiller.Youwill haveyourvengeance,dearest.I’llmakesureof it”

Lostintheeasygaitofmyhorse’slope,InearlyforgotaboutthenightbeforeandtheinvisibleeyesI’dfeltonmyback eversince

“Whoa,”Isaidandsankintomyseat.

Jesse,myhorseofsixyears,cametoahalt Togetherweoverlookedtherollinghillsoflushtrees,greengrass,and tricklingcreeks.Therainfromearlierinthemorningmadeitallsmellevenfresher.Abreezesighedacrossthevalleysand ruffledthehairundermyhat.

“Youknow,Jess,”Isaid.“Beingacowboymightnotpaywell,butitsuredoeshavesomebenefits.”

Hesnortedandshookhisbigyellowhead,asiftosay,“Likeyoucoulddoanythingelse?”

IconsideredthatImighttalktomyhorsetoomuchanddecidedtogetbacktowork Wejoggedalongthefenceline, untilInoticedhowlooseacoupleofthewireshadbecome.

WhenIreachedthebrokenremnantsofthewires,IcursedundermybreathandclimbedoffJesse Usingsometoolsand sparewireIstoredinmysaddlebag,Iquicklymendedthefence.Jessenibbledgrassbehindmewithoutacareintheworld. Iwalkedtohissideandputmyleftfootinthestirrup.WhenIhadswungmyselfhalfwayon,Jesseshotoutfromunder meandnearlydumpedmeonmyass

“Whoa,boy,”Iorderedandsqueezedmyreins.

Hespunaroundandturnedawild,blueeyetothefenceI’djustfixed Ialmostdidn’tbelievemyeyes Thesamewires werecleanlycutintwopieces.

“Whatthehell?”Iwondered

AfterseveralminutesofcalmingJessedown,Iclimbedoffandfixedthewires.Again.Myhandsshooktheentiretime, whichmadetheprocessevenlonger,muchtoJesse’sdiscomfort.Iworriedaboutwhatcouldcausesuchareactionfromhim. Grumpyandmoodyweredefinitelyinhiswheelhouse,butnotskittish

ThenexttimeIclimbedon,hestoodpatiently.Ihopedthatmeanthe’drecoveredfromwhateverfrightenedhimand, frankly,me Ithoughtaboutwhatcould'vecausedit,butmymindcameupempty TheharderItriedtoconsiderit,thelessclear thetruthbecame.

IpushedthethoughtsasideandfiguredIprobablyjustwasn’tasgoodatfixingfencesasIlikedtobelieve Theride backtothemainbarnwaspeaceful.Thefreshairsteadiedme,asdidthefamiliarsightsofrollinghillsandgreenforestry. Cowsgrazedandambledabouttheirbusiness.Thesunpeekedthroughtreesandwarmedmyskin.Agentlebreezetousledmy hairbutdidn’tblowviolentlyenoughtotossoffmybrownhat

AsIreachedthemainbarn,Ihadfinallyconvincedmyselfthateverythingwasfine untilInoticedthe open gatethat hadonceheldthecowsmeanttogotothesaletomorrow

Thepenwasnowempty.

Iface-palmedmyselfandturnedJessearound Icouldn’tbelieveIhadn’tnoticedtheextrafiftycowsinthelarger pasture.Iwasn’tonetomisssuchabigdetail,norhadIeverfailedtolockagate.IprayedIcouldcorralthecattleoncemore beforeNathannoticed.

Idoubtedtheoldmanwouldfireme I’dworkedforhimsinceIwasfourteenyearsoldandmademuchbiggermistakes inthelastfiveyears.

Doesn’t mean I’ll get out of stall-cleaning duty

“Walker!”agruff,familiarvoicecalled.“Whatthehellisgoingonhere?”

IgroanedandturnedJessearound.Nathanchargeddownthehillsoquickly,Iworriedhemighttakeatumble.Ontopof thehill,thebarn’smetalroofglowedfromtheslowlysettingSun.Already,thetemperaturesdropped.IfIdidn’tgetthosecattle soon,I’dbeworkinginthebitternight’scoldandhaveahellofalotharderjobonmyhands.

WhenNathanfinallyreachedme,Igotoffmyhorse Hisrantswerealwayslengthierifhedidn’tgetthesatisfactionof peeringdownatmewhenhegavethem.

“Ijustcan’tfinddecenthelpanymore,”Nathangrumbled

HecrossedhisbehemotharmsoverhisunnaturallybroadchestandprattledonabouthowIwasmoretroublethanI wasworth.Thelinesofhisagedfacewereevenharsherthanusualfromhisscowl.Westoodinthegatewayoftheemptycow penformorethanfiveminutes.Iwasshockedtheoldmanhadenoughbreathinhisbodytotalkforsolong.

“Hey,boss,”Sawyercalledfromupthehill,nearthemainbarn.“Maybeyououghttolethimgocatchthedamned things,thencontinue?Thatway,yougettwogripe-festsinsteadofone”

WhileNathangrumbledtohimself,Imouthed,“thankyou”toSawyer.Hewinkedatme,thoughIhadtosquinttosee himclearly TheSundroopedevenloweronthehorizon BeforeNathancouldcontinue,IhoppedonJesseandtookoffforthe cows.Sawyerclimbedonhisownhorseandfollowedme.

Justlikethat,ourfightfromtheothernightwasforgotten.

“Thanks,man,”Isaid “Youreallysavedmyassbackthere”

Ourhorsesjoggedalongsideeachother.Sawyer’smare,Rosy,wasaburlythingwithatemper,butSawyercaredfor herlikemostpeopledidtheirchildren I’dalwaysthoughtthatwaswhygirlsfellsoeasilyforhim theyassumedthey’dget treatedaswellashishorse.Theywerewrong.

At least he has girlfriends, Ithought ItwasmorethanIcouldsayformyself “Noproblem,”hesaidwithaneasygrin.“That’sjustthekindoffriendIam.Areyouallright,though?Itisn’tlikeyou tododumbshit.”

“Yeah,”Ireplied “Sorryforstealingyour thing” *

Freya

HewasthemostmundanewitchhunterI’deverseen,notthatI’dseenmany Ijustassumedhisdaywouldconsistof morethanmuckingoutstalls,fixingfences,andhuntingdowncattle.Admittedly,Iwasthecauseoftwoofthoseproblems.

Istoodamongthetreesofthehugepastureandcarefullyavoidedpilesofcowdung.Thehunterchattedcasuallywith hisfriendandsearchedforthecattleI’dreleased.IfinallyendedmyInvisibilityspell.Ineededhimtofindthecattlesohis friendwouldleave.Ihadn’texpectedsomethinglike him tohavefriends.

ThepairlaughedatsomethingIcouldn’thear Hiseasehadtobeanact Surely,heknewIhuntedhimbynow He must’vesensedmymagicearlierbutwantedtofacemewithoutbystanders,likehisdisgruntledbossandobnoxiousfriend. ThoughIwasn’tparticularlyfondofthem,andIhatedtooblige his wishes,Ididn’tkillinnocents,nordidIriskexposure It wasbettertoletthefearsinkintothehunteranyway.Itwouldmakehisdeathsomuchsweeter.

Arionpurredatmyside.Healwaysenjoyedhuntsevenmorethanme,butthistimewasdifferent.Thestakeswere higher,andthepunishment theoneIwoulddeal wasfargreaterthaneverbefore

Ieasedmymindwiththreesteadybreaths.Witheachone,IfocusedmoreonmysurroundingsandthepotentialmagicI couldshapetomywill.Crisp,dryairburnedmythroat,andwatergurgledinanearbystream.Dahliasswayedinthewind,as didthetreebrancheshighabovemyhead

“Magiciseverywhere,”Momusedtosay.“That’swhyyoumustalwaysbeobservant knowwhereandhowyoucan getit”

Notallnaturalmagicwasmyforte,butluckily,Icouldmanipulateairwithoutasecondthoughtanddrawpowerfrom earthtocraftameanspell Momhadn’tfinishedmytraininginfireorwaterbeforeshe Beforeshewaskilled.

Josephine,mysecondgreatestmentor,hadtoldmetostopsayingthat. “Witchescan’tbekilled,”shehadremindedme “Theycanonlybetransformed” Butscrewthat.Iwasn’tgoingtosugarcoatrealitywiththeprettylanguagetheElderscrafted.

Mymotherwasdead Gone Rippedfrommeallbecausesomefoolishhunterdecidedtopickuphisfamily’sbusiness onceagain.Josephinehadexplaineditalltome.TheReidshadlongagogivenuptheirfamilydynastyofkillingwitchesina peacetreatywithmycoven,untiltheiryoungestsonbrokethatpeace Hisjacket,whichheworeevennow,wasstainedbymy ownmother’sblood.

I’dbeenshockedtolearnhewasresponsible.We’dgonetoschooltogethersincewewereyoung.Hewaswell-liked andwell-mannered He’dalwaysseemedsoinnocuous,butIknewplentyofmonsterswhohidbehindprettyfacesandpolite smiles.

Hislaughechoedthroughthevalley,andIsawred Threedeepbreaths.

One…two…three Hewoulddietonight.

CHAPTERTHREE

Walker

Twohoursandfiftycattlelater,weweredone.Itriple-checkedthegate,thenwalkedJessetothebarn.WhenIslidoff, mylegswerenumbstumps ThetemperatureshaddroppedwiththeSun,andmybreathfoggedtheair WithSawyerandhis marebesideme,Icreakedopenthebarn’slarge,woodendoors.Therestofthehorses,alreadytuckedintocleanstalls, nickeredatthecoldairthatsweptin

“Settledown,youbabies,”Sawyercalled.

IwalkedJessetohisstallattheendofthebarnandenjoyedthefamiliarclopofhishooveshittingpaddingacrossthe mattedfloors Thebarnwasmyfavoriteplacetobe Lushvalleysandbreathtakingviewswereexcitingbutbeingsurrounded byhorsesbroughtmepeace.Warmlightsglowedgentlydowntheaislethatranbetweentworowsoffivestalls.Sandwiched betweenstallswerethetackandfeedrooms Eachhadheatersforcoldermonths

Somequietpartofmelongedforaplacelikethisofmyown.Itwasoutofthecards,ofcourse.Icouldn’tevenafford ourfamilyhomeifnotfortheinheritancemoneyfromMom’sparents.Hopefully,I’dbeabletoholdontoitlongenoughtoget Cadenceoutofthehouseandintocollege.Mysisterwascrazy-smart.She’dsecureascholarship.Iwassureofit.

Icouldn’tbesureofanythingelse.

WhenIturnedJesseintohisstall,ashadowflickeredbehindmeanddisruptedmyreverie Inearlyjumpedoutofmy skin.Jesselurchedatmysuddenmovement.Icursedmyjumpiness,butIcouldn’tplaceitssource.

“Sorry,buddy,”Isaidintohisear Afterafewpatsontheneck,hesettleddown Itookoffhisbridleandcheckedthathehadplentyofhayandwater.Igavehimonelastpetandwalkedoutofhisstall.

“Walker,”Sawyerhuffed.“Forgettingsomething?” Ispunaroundandwinced.

I’dleftthedamnsaddleon.

EvenJesseseemedput-outwithmynever-endingdumb-assery AsIthrewahalteronhisheadandtiedhimtothemetal barsonhisstall,hehuffedandpinnedhisearsback.

“Whatiswithyou,man?”Sawyeraskedandcarriedhissaddletothetackroom Ihadnoanswerforhim.ImadequickworkofuntackingJesse,wishedSawyerfarewell,andheadedhome.Thecluster thatwasmydaywasduetoanoverabundanceofstressandnotenoughsleep.

Ithadtobe,yettheshadowsfollowedmehome Ithrewmyhatonthedashboardandfiredupmyold,blueChevytruck Despitetheexhaustionweighingdowneverymuscleinmybody,Icouldn’trelax.

Allalongthewindingroadthatledtomyhouse,darkfiguresdancedinmytruck’swindows Theypoppedupleftand rightintheshapesofleeringfacesandviolentactions.

Oneappeareddirectlyinfrontofme ItwasadarksketchofawomanthatIswervedtoavoidandnearlycareenedoff theroad.Luckily,theshadowsdissipated,thoughitdidnothingtocalmmythoroughlyrattlednerves.Iwasnotusedtobeingso damnafraid.

Igrippedthesteeringwheelwithwhiteknucklesandkeptmyeyestrainedontheroad Countrymusicblastedthrough thespeakers,butIbarelyhearditpasttheunsteadythrummingofmyheartandoddhuminmyears.Iwantedtopulloutmygun andstartfiring,butIwasn’tsurewhatI’dshootat Ishutdownthethoughtofcallingthepolice

Hi, Sheriff, I’d like to report some shadows that are following me? No, I didn’t catch their license plate. Sorry about that

Finally,thegatewaythatledtomydrivewayappeared.Likealways,thegatewaswideopen.Thishadtobesome pranktheguyswerepullingonme.SawyerhadprobablytoldBrodyaboutwhathappenedatthebonfire,andtheywantedto punishmeforbeingsuchawuss Ipreparedmyselftodeckthem,thenhaveagoodlaughaboutit

Ipassedtheburnedpatchofgrasswherewe’dhadourbonfire.Astrangetinglewentdownmyspineatthememory, andmyheadthrobbed Ifocusedinsteadonourquaintfarmhouse Itswhitepaintneededanewcoat,butitswraparoundporch wasstillinshape,thoughitcouldhardlybeseeninthedarkness.Icouldn’tevenglimpsemymother’soldbench.

Thedrivewaywasdarkerthanusual.Themoonhungbehindthickclouds,andthestarsweretinyspecksofdustinthe sky,butthatwasn’ttheonlycauseofthedarkness.

Myporchlightwasoff.

Itwasneveroff Cadyalways leftitonforme

Iskirtedthetrucktoastop.Whateverfollowedme,Ididn’twanttofaceitinthehouse,wheremylittlesisterslept.I tookadeepbreathandpreparedtostepoutofthetruck Myhandlingeredonmypistol,untilIfinallypulleditoutofitsholster Please be Brody and Sawyer, Ithought.Ikeptthesafetyonincasetheyweretheculprits,thoughmyinstinctsscreamed, danger Theshadowscalmed,butIknewIwasn’talone.Somethingstillhummedinmyears.

Withonelastwishforsomeliquidcourage,Ihoppedoutofmytruck.Mybootshitthegraveldrivewaywithacrunch, buttherestoftheforestwasquiet.Tooquiet.Noanimalsstirred,nowaterrushed,andeventhelowhumwassilenced.One smallgustofwindblewmyway Itsmelledofhoneysuckleandrainandcopperyblood Unabletobearthesilence,Icalled out.

“Who’sthere?”

Threeheartbeatspassed.

Ahugegustofwindcamefromtheeastandblewmeintomytruck AsIhitthemetalframe,Igruntedandbitmylower lip.Bloodpooledinmymouthandmybonesrattledfromtheforceofthecrash,butshocknumbedthepain.Iscrambledtoright myselfandsearchedfranticallyforthesourceofthewindorshoveorwhateverthehelljusthitme.

“Manup!”Iyelledandspatoutblood “Showyourself!”

Adarkchuckledrewmyeyestotheleft.

“DoIlooklikeaman?”agirlaskedinamusicalvoice

Shestoodperfectlystill,dressedheadtotoeinblack,withonemanicuredhandonherhip,andtheotherclutchingher chin,asifindeepthoughtaboutthequestionsheaskedme Shecouldn’thavebeenolderthanme,thoughtherageinher strange,coppereyesagedher.Herfieryhairwasaswildasherexpression.Somethingaboutherwasfamiliar,thoughIdidn’t knowwhat.I’dcertainlyneverseenagirllikeherbefore.

Acalicocatcoiledaroundherlegsandmeowed Shepeereddownathimandscratchedhishead “Notyet,Arion,”shepurred.“Thisoneismine.”

Surelythisgirl,withhersmallstature,pretty,freckledface,andhousecatcouldn’tbebehindmytorment Hercopper eyesmetmineoncemore.

“Boo!”shewhispered.

Anothergustofwindassaultedme,thoughthistimeitwentformylegs.Islammedtothegroundonmyface.Mynose tookthebruntofthefall,andbloodspewedfromit.Iignoredthebloodandthethrobbingpain,soIcouldrisetomyfeet.With onehand,Istillclutchedmypistol,butIcouldn’tbringmyselftoturnthesafetyoff

This is some twisted joke.

“Whoareyou?”Iaskedandwinced Already,myvoicehadgrownnasallyfromtheswellinginmynose Shescoffedat myquestion.

“Asifyoudon’talreadyknow.”

“What areyou?”Iquestioned.

Herhandssqueezedintofistsathersides,andaquietchant familiar,thoughIdidn’tknowwhy fellfromherlips. Thedancingshadowssurroundedmeoncemore Iwaswrongtothinkitwasadarknight They weredarkness Thefemale silhouettesswallowedallthestarlight.

Theshadowsdrewcloserandreachedformewithtalonedhands Oneofthemgrazedmyneck,andcoldnesslikeI’d neverfeltseepedintomyskin.Iwavedmygunatthedamnedthing,andsomethinggiggledinmyear.

“Iamyouratonement,”thegirlsaid.Icouldbarelyseeherpasttheshadowsthatclosedinonme.

“For what?” Iyelled,“Idon’tevenknowyou!”

Theshadowsstuttered,butonlyforamoment,beforetheycontinuedtheirslowdescentuponme.Moreandmoreof themreachedforme Myteethchattered Ireleasedthesafetyonmypistol “Lyingwon’tsaveyou,hunter,”thegirlgrowled.“Nothingwillnow.”

Herwordsshook,butIdidn’tknowifitwasfromapprehensionorpuremenace “Please,”Ibegged.“Justdon’tkillmehere.”

Shelaughedhumorlessly.

“Youwanttochoosewhereyougettodie?”sheasked “They didn’tgettopickwhereyoukilledthem” “Ididn’tkillanybody!”Isaid.

“Thenwhyismymother’sbloodonyourcoat?”

Mymindwenttolastnight’sfuzzymemories,andthebloodthatwasstucktomyneck.Itriedtocheckmycoatfor stains,buttheshadowscreptcloser Ifdarknesscouldbehungry,herdarkminionswere Theyleachedthewarmthfrommy bodyandthebreathfrommylungs.

“I-Idon’tknow,”Istammered,“butIdidn’t doit.”

“Walker?”asmall,all-too-familiarvoicecalled “What’sgoingon?”

Myheartlurched.

Cadence

CHAPTERFOUR

Nothingmadesense.

Josephinehadfoundhisblood-stainedcoat Whenshelookedformymotherlastnight,sherealizedthatMomdiedon thehunter’spropertyandhadahunchthattheReidfamilywasresponsible.Theyhadn’tbeenactivehuntersindecades,butit wastooconvenientforawitchtodieontheirland EveryoneknewClydeReidspentmostofhisdaysinthebottle,andthe daughterwastooyoungtobeguilty.

ThatleftWalker.

But how can a witch hunter be so defenseless?

“Walker?”asmall,femininevoicecalled.“What’sgoingon?”

Ayounggirl Cadence stoodontheporchofthehouseattheendofthedriveway Herbrownhairwasinaclumpon topofherheadandherpinkpajamaswerewrinkled.Shemust’vecomeassoonassheheardthecommotion. Thehunter’sfacecrumpled.

Just don’t kill me here.

“Gobackinside,Cady,”Walkerorderedgruffly.“Everything’sfine.”

Idissipatedmyshadows Thegirlwasinnocent Shedidn’tdeservetobefrightened Iwasn’tevensurethatWalkerdeservedit.

But he has to be guilty, Ithought, or else the real killer is still out there “Whoisthat?”sheasked.Hervoicedrippedwithskepticism.

“Gobackinside,”hegrumbled.

Idrewonthelifearoundmeandmutteredaquicksleepingspellundermybreath.Cadence’sjawwentslack,andshe wanderedbackinsidetoherbed.Thoughitwasforherowngood,guiltgnawedatme.Heryoungmindwassoeasyto command

“Whatdidyoudotoher?”thehunterdemanded.“Whatdidyoudo?”

Hechargedme Isummonedmyshadowsoncemore,buthewalkedrightthroughthem Hisfacewaspaleasaghost, andheshookfromtheirchill,buthedidn’tslowdown.Imutteredaspellto make himstop.Hisstepsstuttered,buthekept walking.

Itdidn’tconvincemehewasatrainedkiller,buthiswillpowerdidimpressme

Icould’veknockedhimbackwithagustofwind,butIlethimgetclosertome,untilhestoodinchesaway.Histall frametoweredoverme Thisclose,Inoticeddarkcirclesunderhiseyesandstubbleonhischin Thefaintsmellofanimals stillclungtohisclothes.

Iwaitedforhimtothrowapunchorattempttousethegunheclenchedsotightly,buthedidnothing Heflexedhisfist, butitstayedathisside.

“Idon’tknowwhoyouare,”hesaidslowly,“butI’mnotwhoyou’relookingfor.I’mnota killer”

Istudiedthedesperatelinesofhisface,hisclenchedfist,andthepistolinhishand He’duseitifIdidn’ttellhim wherehissisterwas,yethedidn’tthrowapunchnow.I’ddonenothingbutterrorizehim,yetheshowedmemercy.Evenifhe didattemptphysicalforce,itonlyfurtherprovedhewasnotrainedwitchhunter Mymotherwouldn’thavediedatan amateur’shands.

Ibelievedhim

“Yoursisterissafe,”Iassured.“She’sjustsleeping.”

IknewitwaswhathemostwantedtohearbecauseitwaswhatImostwantedtohearwhenJosephinehadreturned fromhersearchformymother

“Butyou arenotsafe that’snotathreat,”Iexplained.“You’vebeendeemedawitchkiller.Otherswillcomeforyou.” Mywordsweren’tabluff Therestofmycovenwouldn’tgivehimachancetoexplain,northeywouldstretchouthis deathasIhadintendedto.Evenifhewereinnocent,noneofthemwouldshedatearoveraReid’sdeath.Hisveryblood robbedhimofhisinnocence Icould’vekilledhimandbeencelebratedforit.

ButIwassoverysickofdeath.

“W-witch?”Walkerstuttered.

“WhatdoyouthinkIam?”Iasked “Amermaid?”

“Yeah,”hehuffedandglancedatmyhair.“IthoughtArielsentanarmyofshadowsafterme.”

Heranahandthroughhiscurlsandlaughedhumorlessly “Thisisinsane,”hebreathed.“Witchesaren’treal.”

Itriedtobepatientwithhim,butwedidn’thavemuchtimeforprocessing.I’dexposedmykind.Evenifhisfamilyhad

tiestothemagicalworld,Walkerhadn’tknownaboutus,andIshould’vekeptitthatwayorkilledhim.

Ouronlyshotatsurvivalwastofindtherealkillerandclearbothournames.Then,Walker’smemoryofuscouldbe wipedclean,andhecouldgobacktothenormallifeheclearlybelongedin Maybeheneededfurtherproofthatwouldn’tscarehim.

Iliftedmyhands,andfallenleavesbeneathourfeetmirroredthemotion Withatinybitofwind,Itwirledthemaround me.Walker’seyesgrewaslargeassaucers,andhisjawwentslack.

“We are real,”Isaid,“andsomeonehasbeenkillingus Thefirstremainwasfoundlastnight” “Itbelongedtoyourmother?”heaskedsoftly.

Iwasn’tsureifthesympathyonhisfacemademewanttoyellorcry,soIkeptmyresponseshort.

“Yes”

“I’msorryforyourloss,”hesaid.

“Thankyou”

ImeantwhatIsaid.Thesentimentfeltsomuchmorerealthanyou’ll see her again or be grateful she’s transcended this life Ididn’tcareifitmademeabadwitch Iwastiredofsugarcoatingmygrief

“Iknowsomeonewhocanhelpus,”Isaid,“butwemustgotoherquickly.Iwon’tletanotherwitchdie.” “Walker?”afamiliar,childishvoiceyelled.

Impossible, Ithought Iloweredmyhands,andtheleavesdriftedtotheground Cadencewalkeddownthestepsofherhomeandeyedmewearily.Hereyesshouldn’thavebeenopenatall.Thespell I’dcastwasmeanttolastatleasttwohours Assheventuredcloser,heremeraldgreeneyescaughtmeoff-guard I’dnever seensuchabrightcoloroutsideoftheMoonflowerfamily a witch family.

MaybetheReidshadgottentheirhandsonsomewitchmagicovertheyears,anditstillprotectedtheirdescendants.It wouldn’tbethefirsttimehuntersusedourownpower thepowertheydeemedunholy againstus.

Leavesandtwigsstucktothegirl’spinkpajamas,butitdidn’tslowherdown.

“Cady”Walkersighed “I’mjusttalkingtoafriend Gobackinside”

Cadylookedmeupanddown,thenscrunchedhernose.

“Butshe’sagirl,”shesaid “Younever bringgirlsover” “Whatever,”Walkermumbled.“Idooccasionally.IthoughtItoldyoutogobacktobed?”

Walker’scheeksreddened,andIbitbackasmile.Hehadnoreasontobeembarrassed.Surely,nohumangirlsrejected him.Laborhadtonedhisbody,andtheSunhadbleachedpiecesofhisbrowncurls.Hisfacewasmasculine,butheldonto youthinhisslightlyplumpcheeks.Hewasboyishbuthandsome.Thoughhewasn’tmytype,Icouldcertainlyseeanappeal. Cadyscratchedherhead

“Wait,”shesaid.“Youdid butnotbeforeIsaw…something.” “Walker,”Iinterrupted “Shouldn’twerunthaterrandItalkedabout?” “Anerrand?”Cadyquestioned.“Ateighto’clock?”

Sheglancedbetweenthetwoofus.

“Somethingisn’taddinguphere,”shesaid Cadywastoosmartforherowngood,andIcouldn’thaveherfollowingus.

“We’regoingonadate,”Isaid “You?”shesaid.“Withhim?”

“Yes,”Walkerreplied “Withme Isthatsohardtobelieve?” “Waytoshootoutofyourleague,bigbrother.”

Isnorted,anditwasmyturntoblush.Arionweavedbetweenmylegsineffortstocomfortmeandhimself.Hewas confusedatthisturnofevents,buthewouldstayloyaltome,nomatterwhat

“Oh,Isee,”shesaidandstudiedArion.Hecockedhisfluffyheadather.“Shebroughtacatonyourdate.It’smaking moresensenow”

IlaughedanddecidedthatIlikedthislittlegirl.

CHAPTERFIVE

Walker

Awitchsatinthepassengerseatofmytruck.

She’dofferedherown“special”formoftravel,butI’ddeclined I’dhadenoughspecialinonenighttolastalifetime Shestaredoutthewindowwithpursedlips.Hercoppereyesstudiedthetreesweblurredpastasifsheplannedon drawingthem Herlegscrossed,thenstraightened,thencrossedagain Herfingersdrummedagainstthedoor Shehadn’t commentedonthetruck’sdustyinteriororfaintsmellofcowcrap,butthelongerwetraveled,themoreuncomfortableshe grew.

“Don’tlikecarrides?”Iasked

“No.NeitherdoesArion.”

Hercat whichIsuspectedwasmorethanacat satontheconsolebetweenus Hishacklesremainedraised,andhe glaredatmeeverytimeIlookedatthewitch.

“Younevertoldmeyourname,”Isaid.

Shehesitatedthensighed.

“IsupposeImightaswelltellyou,”shesaid.“I’mFreya FreyaRedfern,daughterofCovenMotherSybilRedfern.” “Okay,FreyaRedfern,”Isaid “WhereexactlyamItakingus?”

“TotheonlywitchIstilltrust,”sheanswered.“Tomygoddessmother,andinterimCovenMother,Josephine.OnceI convinceherofyourinnocence,she’llknowwhereweneedtogonext”

“Ithoughtyousaidthewitchesweregoingtoshootfirstandaskquestionslater?”

Shechewedonherlowerlip.

“Josephinewon’t,”sheassuredme.“Atleast,Idon’tthinkso.” Isighed.“Great.”

“Turnlefthere,”sheinstructed

IsteeredawayfromthewindingroadthatleddownmountainandintoheartofHolCreek.Thetinylightsofthe downtownstreettwinkledinthedarkness,andafewpeoplemilledaboutlikeantsinthevalley Alongthemountainsidethat overlookedtown,wedrovepastseveralhomes.Thiswaswherethebusinessownersandprettymucheveryonewhowasn’ta rancherlived.

Thehousesallhadmultiplestoriesandhugewindowsandanythingelsethatoozedmoney I’dalwaysthoughtitwasa bitridiculous.Thegravelroadledupward,andwereachedanapartmentcomplexI’dneverseenbefore.Ihadn’tevenknown ourtownhad apartments

Theyperchedonahillabovetheroad.Treescoveredmostoftheblackstonestheywerecraftedfrom,thoughwhat showedglintedinthemoonlight Windowspeekedthroughthetrees,butIcouldn’tseewhatwasinsidethebuilding

“HowhaveIneverseenthisplace?”Iasked,“orheardaboutit?” Freyasmiledmischievously.

“Howhaveyouneverseenmebefore?I’veknownyoumywholelife Parkoverhere Idon’twantyougettingina wreckandblowingthiswholeoperation.”

Shepointeddownthestreet,butnottooclosetotheapartments WhenIshiftedthetruckintopark,abriefhumfilledthe interior.Isearchedoutsideforathreat,thenlookedatFreyaandnearlyjumpedoutofmyskin.

ItwasFreya,butitwasn’t

Herhairwasstrawberryblondeinsteadoforangeandred,andhercoppereyesweremuddybrown.Hershoulders slumped,andherarmswerethin.Herskinlostitsdewyluster,thoughherfrecklesremained.IknewI’dseenthosefreckles before

“Emily?”Isaid.“EmilyBanksis you?”

Shelaughed,andeventhathadchangedtoaflatcough Hersmilewasbright Iwonderedwhatitlookedlikewithher realface.

“Mymotherwantedmetoberaisedfamiliarwiththehumanworld,”sheexplained.“ShesaidifIweretolead,I neededtoknowourgreatestthreatinsideandout.So,I’vebeensplittingmytimebetweenwitchcraftapprenticeshipandhuman publicschoolallmylife.Icouldn’texactlyattendwithmynormalappearanceandnotattractattention.”

“Didn’twanttobeatoffpoorhumanboyswithastick,huh?”

“Ionlymeantthatmyfeaturesarerareforhumans,butI’mgladtoknowyouthinkI’mbeautiful.”

“I-Ididn’tsaythat!”

Oh, God. Did I really just flirt with a mythical creature who attempted to murder me an hour ago?

Shesnickeredatmyfrustration,thenswitchedbacktoher“normal”appearance.Onesecond,shewasplain-faced,and

thenext,shewasFreya.Watchingitgavemeaheadache.

“So,youuse magic tohidethisplace?”Iasked,“andyourself?”

“Magicisn’taswear-word, Walker ”

Neither is my name, Ithought.Iturnedoffthetruckandhoppedoutside.Naturally,Iwalkedaroundthefrontoftheold thingtoopenFreya’sdoor,butshe’dalreadygottenoutbythetimeIreachedit Shefrownedandsteppedaroundme Arion washotonherheels.Ineededtolayoffthechivalry.Shewasa witch. Freyacouldtakecareofherself.

“Everyoneshouldbeatthegatheringinthewood,”Freyasaid “They’reperformingaspellforclarityaboutwhat happened,butalltheothershavebeenfruitless.Whoever’sresponsibleiscoveringtheirtrackswithsomeprettyremarkable magic.”

“Whataboutthewoman witch we’reheretosee?”Iasked

“She’sstayingbyherportalincaseIneedhelptonight.Shewantedtocome,butIinsistedIworkalone.”

“Yeah,”Isaid “Itwould’vebeenhorribleifsomethingwentwrongwhileyouweretryingtokillme”

Freyasighedandstopped.Westoodinfrontofmytruckonthepavedroadthatledtotheapartments.Themoonlight poureddownonus

“Iamsorry,”Freyasaid.Hercoppereyesstareddeeplyintomine,andshetuckedastraycurlbehindherear.Itsprang freeimmediately.“Ithoughtyoukilledmymother.Iwouldn’thavehurtyou,hadIknownthetruth.Iwouldn’thavedraggedyou intoanyofthis”

Tearswelledinhereyes,andIsuddenlyfeltlikeanass.Thepoorgirl’smomhadjustdied.Iknewhowthatfelt.Itwas whyIkeptthepityoutofmystare

ThatwasallanyonecouldoffermeafterMom’sdeath,otherthanwhisperstheythoughtIdidn’thearabouther“tragic accident.”Thencamethetalkofhowpoorlymydadhandledit.Formylasttwoyearsofhighschool,Iwasreducedto the kid whose mom died or Drunk Clyde’s son. OnlySawyerandBrodydidn’ttreatmedifferently,andthatwastheonethingthat madeitbearable.That,andtheirunderstandingwhenI’dsnapfornoreasonorgodayswithouttalking.

IfIcould’vekilledtheguyresponsible,Iwould’ve “Consideryourselfforgiven,”Isaid.“Justdon’tletithappenagain.” “Nopromises,”shesaidandwinked Ireallyhopedshewasjoking.

Ifollowedherupthepavedroad,whichcurvedtotheleftandtransformedintowhitecobblestones.Theapartments loomedtallerthanIexpected,andasecondbuildingstoodacrossthecobblestonestreet,fartherupthemountain.Wellgroomedflowerbedsflourishedinfrontoftheapartments.Adark,stonefountaintrickledinthemiddleofthecul-de-sac.Inside it,astatueofthreewomenspatwaterintothepool Nocarswereparkedanywhere

Wewalkedaroundthestatuetoreachtheentrancetothefarthestapartment.Oneofthewomen’sfaceswaslinedwith age,theother’swasroundwithyouth,andonewassomewhereinbetween

“It’sthefacesoftheGoddess,”Freyaexplained,“theVirgin,theMother,andtheWiseWoman.”

Inodded.Iwasn’tsurewhatelsetosay.Therewasn’talotofreligiousdiversityinatownwithonestoplight.Atleast, notthatI’dbeenintroducedtountilnow Upuntilhighschool,Ihadn’tevenknownanyonebelievedinanythingotherthanGod

Wewalkedtofrontofthetall,whitedoorsthatledintotheapartmentbuilding.Anawningperchedaboveus,anda goldendoorknockergleamed IreachedaroundFreyaandopenedthetalldoor Shesteppedintotheentryway Abright,golden chandelierhungfromanarchedceilingthatwascraftedfromcedarbeams.Ourstepsechoedondarkstonefloors,whichwere similartowhatthecomplex’swallswerebuiltfrom Wefacedagold-paneledelevator Hallwaysbranchedtoourleftand right.

Freyasnappedherfingers.Theelevatordingedanditsdoorslidopen.Ifollowedherintothetightspace.Freya’shair wasextrabrightagainsttheelevator’sshimmering,whitewalls Wetraveledupfourfloorsbeforewereachedourdestination

“Letmedothetalking,”Freyainstructedandsweptintotheroom.

Isteppedoutoftheelevator Thesuitehadanopenfloorplan Ahugekitchenstockedwithvariousherbswastomy right.Beyondthatsatanexpensive-looking,greenvelvetcouch,awhitefurrug,andacoupleofblackleatherchairsthat anywhereelse,Iwould’velovedtotestout Plantswerespreadthroughoutthespaceinpotsofdifferentsizes Theyweresome oftheonlypopsofcolor.Thewhite,cleanlinessofitmademyworkjeansandtanCarharttcoatfeelespeciallydirty.

Totherightwasaseparateroom,whichIassumedwaswherethewitchslept.Sheprobablylurkedtherenow.

“Josephine?”Freyasaid

Arootslitheredfromasmalltreepottedtomyright.Ijumpedoutofitsreach,butitchasedmeandwrappedanironcladgriparoundmyankle Arionhissedatthebedroomdoor

“Josephine!”Freyayelled.“Stop!He’sinnocent!”

Theroot’sgripdidn’tloosen,butitdidn’ttighteneither.

“Comeout,andI’llexplain,”Freyabegged.

Theblackdoorofthebedroomcreakedopen,andatall,beautifulwoman presumablyJosephine steppedout.She

woreadark,shimmerydressthatwasoddlyformalforsomeonehomealone.Thewitch’sonyxhairwaspulledbackintoa tightponytail.Herolive-tonedskinradiatedyouth,butasmallworrylinecreasedbetweenherbrightgreeneyes eyesthat remindedmesomuchofCady’s,Inearlygasped

“Howcouldyoubringhimhere,dearest?”Josephinedemanded.“He’sa Reid.”

“Idon’tknowwhatyou’vebeentold,”Iinterjected,“butI’mnotfromalineofwitchhunters Ididn’tevenknowyou existeduntiltoday!”

“Isthatso?”Josephinepurred Therootslitheredfartherupmyleg,untilitwrappedsotightlyaroundmycalf,only pridekeptmyscreamsincheck.Freyaglaredatme,andIrecalledherorderformenottospeak.

Maybe I should let her handle it

“Hecouldn’thavedoneit,Goddessmother,”Freyaargued “Hecouldn’tholdhisownagainstme Momcould’vekilled himsixtimesbeforeheevendecidedtofightback.”

Hergoalwastodefendme,butdamn Shemightaswellhaveproclaimedmeneutered

“Buttheblood,”Josephineargued.

“We’llgettothebottomofit,”Freyaassuredher

“Child,youbetter!”Josephinescolded.“Hisfamily’shistory…it’snothistorytoallofus.Someofusrememberthe Reidsbeforetheir retirement.”

Josephineglareddaggersatme Herbright-eyedgazemighthavebeenfrighteningifIwasn’thunguponwhatshe’d revealed.Iblamedmyshockformyidiocy.

“Howold are you?”Iasked Iregrettedthewordsassoonastheyspilledoutofmymouth.

Stupid, stupid, stupid

Iknewbetterthantoaskanywomanthat,letaloneawitch.

Freyasteppedinfrontofme.“See?He’sfartoostupidtohavekilledSybil.”

Consideringshewasseveralinchesshorterthanme,Freya’sbodyshieldwascomical,butitdistractedJosephine The olderwitchshookherheadandsighed.WhenshespoketoFreya,hervoiceshook.

“YouknowIcan’tprotectyouifthecovendiscoverswhatyou’vedone,dearest You’veriskedDebasement” “Debasement?”Iasked.“What’sthat?”

IfJosephinehadspatonme,itwould’vefeltmorerespectfulthanheransweringglare.

“Exile,”Josephineanswered.“Orworse,anundignifieddeath onethatendsintorment.”

CHAPTERSIX

Freya

Iwastemptedtostranglemygoddessmother.

“Youknewthis?”Walkerasked,“whenyou ” I’dneverintendedforWalkertodiscoverexactlywhatIriskedbysparinghim.Already,hethoughtheowedme,which hedidn’t itwaswrittenclearlyacrosshisface,butIsavedhimasmuchformyselfasIhadforhim ItwaswhatMomwould’vedone.

“Yes,”Isnapped.“Don’tmakemeregretitbygettingallsappy.”

Heslammedhisslackjawshut Hisjawlinebecameahardridge,andhisgazewaslaser-focusedonafernacrossthe suite.

At least he’s not looking at me like I’m a hero Itwasridiculous hewasgratefulsimplybecauseIhadn’tkilledhim “Doyouhaveanyadviceforwheretostart?”IaskedJosephine.

SheglancedbetweenWalkerandmeseveraltimes.Shesighed,thenuncrossedherarms.

“Westillhaven’theardfromthewolves.I’vebeenmeaningtosendsomeonetoinvestigate.”

“Icouldleavewithouttherestofthecovenwonderingwhy,”Imused.Walkercoulddisappeartoo,andnoneofthem wouldthinktogolookingforhiminwolfterritory Onequickspellcouldconcealhislocation,sonoonecouldtrackhim magically.

“Wait”Walkerpausedhisbrooding “Werewolves?”

“Yes,”Josephinesaid.“Keepup.”

Walkerrolledhiseyesandranhishandsoverhistiredface.

“Andwecangetclosertodiscoveringwho’sreallyresponsible,”Icontinued.“Thisisagoodidea.”

“Dearest,”Josephineassuredwithherusualgrandeur.“Ionlyhavegoodideas.”

Ismiledather Itwasthefirstthingshe’dsaidindaysthatsoundedlikehernormalself,andnotsomeautomated messagecraftedbytheElders.

“Ican’tleaveCadydefenseless,”Walkerinterjected “Ourcovenwon’thurther,”Ipromised.

“I’llprotecthermyself,”Josephinevowed.“YoumusthelpFreyacleanupthismess,unlessyouwanttobringthe dangerrighttoyoursister’sdoorstep”

Heconsideredthisandslowlynodded.Hewasprobablylessworriedaboutthecovenandmoreworriedabouthis father,butwebothknewshewasbetteroffwithhimthanwhereverintheGoddess’snamethisinvestigationtookus

“We’llsetoffassoonasthenextsunrises,”Ideclared.“Readyforyourfirsthunt,Walker?”

Isleptinthebedofmyenemy Well,myenemyasofafewhoursago Iwouldn’tcallusfriendsnow,butatleastI wasn’ttryingtokillhim.

Walkersnoredfromhisplaceonthefloor,infrontofthebed I’dofferedtosleepthere,butheinsistedhecouldsleep comfortablyanywhere.Fromthepowerofhissnores,Ibelievedhim.Truthfully,Iwouldhavebeenfinesharingabedwith him,butWalkerwasdeterminednottomakemeuncomfortable,andIdidn’tmindtheextraspace.

HisroomwaswhatIexpected simplebutclean,andaboveall,functional Afanwhirredonabedsidetabletomy left,andcricketschirpedoutside.IlongedforthescentofMom’sgarden jasmine,lavender,androsemary andhermuch softersnores

Istillhadn’treturnedtoourcottagesinceherpassing.Thoughitwouldstillsmelllikeherandhaveallherdecorations andherbs,shewouldn’tbethere Icouldn’tfacethetruthyet thatitwasn’taplaceImissed,butapersonandthatpersonwas gone.

Iwashomeless.

Mychestachedwithgrief IhadthoughtlosingMomhadkilledmybrittleheart,butitstillsenthot,slowpainthrough mybody.

Arioncurledupagainstmyback Ileanedintohiswarmth

NowthatI’dexposedwitch-kind,Icouldn’tevenattendtheTranscendingCeremonyforMom.Everyoneelseinthe covenwouldgetachancetogrieveandcelebrateher Theywouldrelyoneachotherforstrength,whileIfoughttoprotectus all.Thisshould’vemademeangry,butIcouldn’tfeelanythingbeyondtheacheinmychest.

Witches aren’t meant to be alone.

ItwaswhatMomalwaystoldmeondaysthecovenparticularlyannoyedme

IstaredandstaredatWalker’swhiteceiling.Exhaustionweighedonmybody.I’dexpendedalotofmagictodayand neededtorecharge,butmymindrefusedtosettle.Mychestthreatenedtoburst.

Aloneinthedark,Icried * Walker

“Walker!”

Irubbedmyeyesandflippedover.MaybewhateverdisturbedmewouldgoawayifIignoredit.

Coldwatersplashedacrossmyface Isatup,gasped,andswungblindly “Hey!”Cadencereprimanded.“Watchit!Yougavemenochoice.Itried towakeyounicely.”

Cadencestoodovermewithanemptycupinherhand.Sheshotdaggersatmewithherburninggaze,thenwaggedher littlefingersatmybed.

Oh, shit. Freya.

“Whyisa girl inyourbed?”shewhisper-yelled “It’salongstory,”Isaid.OnethatIcouldn’texplaintoher.

“Mm,”shedraggedoutthesyllables,“Hm I’msure ” Great. Eversinceheronedayofsexeducation,Cadencelovedinnuendos. “Isleptonthefloor,”Ipointedout.

“Ordidyouhearmecomingandmove?”sheargued. “Yeah,”Isaid,“becauseIwassoalert.”

“Maybeyou’vetakenupacting,”shesaid,thensighed “Okay I’lladmit thatonewasalittlefar-fetched” Freyawhimperedinhersleepanddistractedbothofus.Iwonderedhowsomeonesoscarycouldhavenightmares.

“Mom,”Freyawhispered

Damn. Eventhewickedwitchmissedhermom.Cadencefrowned.

“Isshelikeus?”sheasked.“Ishermomgonetoo?”

Inoddedandshooedheroutoftheroom.WithonelastsympatheticglanceatFreya,shescurriedaway.Istoodand wonderedhowbesttowakethewitch.Idefinitelywasn’tstupidenoughtotryCadence’strickonher,butIdidn’texactlywant togetinherspace

Icouldn’tseeherfaceunderherpileofhair.Mybrownsheetsweretwistedaroundhercreamyskin.She’dgrabbed somepajamasandachangeofclothesshekeptatJosephine’sapartment Itunnervedmetoseeherinasweatshirtandshorts Themundanelookdidn’tmatchherwildappearance,butIguessedwitchessleptlikeeveryoneelse comfortably. Freyawhimperedagain.

Icursedmyselfforbeingafraidofasleepinggirlandpickedupmypillow Ilightlytappedherlegswithitandbraced myself.Shedidn’tbudge.Itappedheragainwithalittlemoreforce,andsheshotup.Aninvisibleforcepushedmeagainstthe wall,butassoonasherwide-eyedstaremetmine,theforcereleasedme Theimpactknockedthebreathfrommylungs,butI didn’tthinkitwouldleaveabruise.

“Oops,”shesaidandfrowned “Didyouhitmewithapillow?”

“Lightly,”Iansweredandrubbedthespotonmybackthathadcollidedwiththewall.Sherolledhereyesatmeand stretchedlikeacat.Hersweatshirtslidupandexposedastripofhertonedstomach.Beforeshecaughtmestaring,Iquickly lookedaway MaybeCadencewasright havingagirlinmybedwasweird,nomatterthecircumstance

Igrabbedafewthingsfrommyclosetandheadedintothebathroomtoshowerandchange.Iwasn’tsurewhenorifI’d gettodosoagain Ialsowasn’tsurehowtobreakthenewstoCadence Noversionofthetruthorlieswasbelievable

“Breakfastisready!”Cadencecalled.“Ihavesomeforyoutoo,girl-in-my-brother’s-bed!”

Somedays,Iwasgratefulmydadwasanalcoholicandusuallysleptpasteleven IsteppedoutofthebathroomandbumpedintoFreya.

“Sorry,”webothsaidatthesametime.

Shedroppedtheclothesinherhand,andIpickedthemupforherwithoutathought WhenIhandedthemtoher,she woreastrangesmile.

“Areallhumanboysthischivalrous?”sheasked

“Onlythegoodones,”Ianswered.IwishedSawyerhadseenit thatwasactuallyprettysmooth.

Shit Ineededtogetoutmore.Iwasbeingsmooth towitches.

WhilewewaitedonFreya,CadenceandIenjoyedthebreakfastsheprepared.Itconsistedofslightlysoggycereal,a banana,andaglassoforangejuice.Simplicitywastypicalofourkitchen Cadencelearnedeverythingsheknewfromme.

Freyaemergedfromtheshowerinablackleatherjacketthrownoverahuntergreenshirt,andblackjeans Herdamp hairalreadythreatenedtoburstfreeofthebraidshe’dwovenitinto.Afewgoldnecklaceshungaroundherneck,andeachone heldadifferentsymbolortrinket Sheworearingwithadecent-sizedblueandredstoneonherrighthand Shenoticedmy

stare.

“It’sabloodstone,”Freyaexplained.“Itpromotesstrength.”Shepulledoutthechairnexttomeandliftedherbanana.

“Walkerdoesn’tbelieveincrystals,”Cadencechimedin,“hesaystonevertrustsomeonewhoputstheirfaithin jewelry.”Iglaredatmyoh-so-helpfulsisterandclenchedmyjaw.

“Doeshe,now?”Freyaasked

Shesmirkedanddugintoherbreakfastwithoutacomplaint.Iwonderedwhatwitchesusuallyate.Mygazefellon Cadence,andIsearchedfortherightwordstotellherIwasleaving

“Walker,”Cadencechided,“you’restaring.”

“Sorry,”Imumbled.“Iwasjustthinking Ihavetotellyousomething,Cady.I’mgoingonatrip.” Sheblinkedatme

“Wherearewegoing?”sheasked.

“No,”Icorrectedher “Ihavetogo youhavetostayhere”Sheglanceddownthehall,towardDad’sroom Guilt gnawedatme.

“What?”shesaidandrosetoherfeet “No no,I’mcomingwithyou!”

“Youcan’t,”Isaid,“wherewe’regoingistoodangerous.You’resaferhere.”

“So she getstogo?”CadenceyelledandpointedatFreya.“You’releavingmebehindtogoonatripwithsomegirlyou mettensecondsago!Don’ttellmeaboutthe danger, Walker Enjoyyourromanticgetawaywithoutme”

Shestormedoutofthekitchen,butnotbeforeIcaughtaglimpseofthetearthatfelldownhercheek.Herdoorslammed shut,andIwinced

“Thatcould’vegonebetter,”Freyasaid.

“Really?”Irepliedsarcastically.“Thatwas exactly thereactionIwaslookingfor.”

Freyamunchedonherbananaandtookaswigoforangejuice.

“Atleastshedoesn’tsuspectthetruth,”shesaid.

Shemadeafairpoint Ishould’vebeengratefulformysister’sassumptions Theywereeasiertodealwiththanher usualtenaciouscuriosity,butitdidn’teasemychurningstomach.IwassupposedtobeCady’scaretaker someoneshecould relyon andI’dletherdown She’dhadenoughofthatalreadyinhershortlife “Hey,”Freyasaidandplacedherhandovermine.“You’redoingyourbest.It’sallyoucando.”

Hersmallhandwaswarmagainstmine.Toowarm.Ipulledawayandnodded. “Thanks.”

So much for being smooth, Ithought.Shejerkedherhandawayandrosetoherfeet.

“Webettergetmoving,”shesaidandhurriedoutthefrontdoor Iplacedtheabandoneddishesinthesinkandwashedthem.Icheckedthefridgeandfreezer therewereenoughfrozen meals,waters,andmilkforthemtoeatforatleastafewdays IprayedIwouldn’tbeawaylongerthanthat Dad’ssnoresechoedinmyears.

Why do you have to be so useless?

Icouldn’tmakemyselfleavewithCadencestillinhiscare Facedwithnootheroption,IcalledMrs Morris,the motherofCady’sbestfriend,andleftamessagewhenshedidn’tpickup.

“Sorryforthelatenotice,butI’mgoingoutoftownforafewdays,andIreallyneedsomeonetowatchCady Please pickherupassoonasyougetthis.”

Arionemergedfrommybedroom Hemust’vereallyenjoyedmybed,sincehe’dactuallystrayedfromFreya’sside longenoughtosleepin.Asheprowledintothekitchen,thecatstaredatmewithkeen,ambereyes.Ifheweren’tacat,I would’vethoughthelookedsmug.IguessedIwouldtoo,ifIwereafour-leggedcreaturewhokickedahumanoutofhisown bed

ThecatmeowedbythedoorFreyahadexitedthrough,butIignoredhimandwalkedtowardCadence’sroom.Iknocked lightlyonherdoor,whichneededafreshcoatofpaint I’dmeanttoapplyonesoon,but,likemanythingsthisweek,thoseplans hadgoneawry.

“Goaway!”sheyelled

“Cady,”Ipleaded,“Idon’twanttoleaveyou.Pleasedon’tbemadatmerightnow.Atleastgivemeahuggoodbye.” Desperationtangledmyinsides,andIfoughttokeepitoutofmyvoice.TherewasaveryrealchanceIwasn’tgoingto returnhome Ididn’twanttoleavewiththeknowledgethatourlastinteractionhadbeensougly,butIcouldn’tmakeher suspiciousenoughtofollowmeeither.

“Idon’twantto,”shehuffed Iflinched.

“Okay,”Isaid,“Iloveyou,Cady-Cat.I’llcallwhenIcan.”

Iwaitedafewminutesforhertoanswer,butshekeptsilent.Withonelastsigh,Iwalkedaway.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Freya

“So,”Walkerdrawled,“werewolveshavebeenlivinginmybackyardthiswholetime?”

“Yep,”Isaid,“andyourneighborsareacovenofwitches”

Hemulledthisoverbutkepthissteadypace.WewalkedthroughthethickforestbeyondWalker’shouse.Pinesand othertreesclimbedhighinthesky Windswayedtheirbranches,aswellasthethickgrassbeneathourfeet Thefreshairwas revitalizing.

Afterthreehourswithoutmorethanafive-minutebreak,mylegsached,andmybreathwasunsteady.Atleastwe’d makegoodprogress Thevalleywasonlyafewhundredfeetaway Watertrickledinthecreek,andIquickenedmystepsin anticipation.We’dagreedtotakealunchbreakoncewereachedit.Aswejourneyedcloser,thetreesthinned,andthe neighboringmountaincameintoview Itwasnotasgentlyslopedastheonewecurrentlytraveleddown Jaggedrockslayered itssides.

Iinternallygroaned.Theonlythingworsethanhikingdownhillwashikinguphill.Arionprowledalongbesideme withoutacareintheworld.Mycatwasinbettershapethanme maybeitwastimetoworkoutabitmore.

“There’snowaytoreachthesewolvesbytruckorcar?”Walkerasked,“orjustaphonecall?”

“Magic-blessedcreaturesdon’tputmuchfaithintechnology,”Iexplained “Wedon’tlikewhatwecan’tcontrol That’s whyweusuallyuseportalsorastralprojections.”

“Andwhycan’twe whatwasit?Portal?Astralproject?”

“Regrettingthetripalready?”Iasked.

Hefrownedandranahandthroughhishair.

“No,”hesaid.“Thisisjustalottotakein.IfeellikeIdon’tknowanythinganymore.”

That makes two of us, Ithought.

“Somewitchescansummonportals”Ihesitated “It’snotexactlymystrongsuit Ionlyknowhowtotravelthrough establishedones.”

Hefoughtagrin “Isitreallythatpainful?Toadmityoudon’tknowhowtodosomething?”

“Yes,”Isaidquietly.

Hechuckled,andIlightlyswattedhisarm.Hehelduphishandsina‘don’tshoot’gesture.“I’msorry!It’sjustfunny. Youcanliterallycreatetornadosanddancingshadowswithmagic,butyoustillthinkyouhavesomethingtoprovetome You don’t.”

Iwassobusystaringintohisearnestgaze,Inearlytripped Inever tripped.

Iclearedmythroatandcontinued “Icoulduseastralprojection,butIwantaninsidelookonwhat’sgoingonwiththe wolves.We’reusuallyallies,yetthey’verejectedourrequestsforin-personstrategymeetingssincethefirstwitchwent missing.Somethingisamiss.”

Heponderedmywords,andwewalkedincompanionablesilenceforafewminutes ThoughIwasn’tknownformy patience,Iappreciatedthesequietmoments.Itwasraretocomeacrosssomeonewhotrulythoughtbeforetheyspoke.

“Youthinkthey’rebehindthedeadwitches?”hefinallyasked

“Idon’tknow,”Iansweredhonestly.“Ihopenot.”

IthoughtofRyder Surely,hewasn’tangryenoughoverourendeddalliancetoletsuchathinghappenwithouttelling me.Wolvescouldbepossessivecreatures,whichwasexactlywhywe’dendedourrelationship,butRyderhadn’tcared that deeply.We’devenremainedfriendsthesepastmonths,upuntilthewitchesdisappeared.

Ifthewerewolveswerebehindthedeaths,we’dhaveverylittlehelpfightingthem Ipulledmyheadawayfrommy worries therewouldbeplentyoftimeforthemafterwediscoveredjusthowscrewedwewere.

“So,”Walkerdrawledandpushedabranchaside “Josephinesaidsomethingaboutbeingoldenoughtoremembermy familywhentheywerestillhunters.Ihopeit’snotrudetoask,butwhat’sawitch’slifespan?”

“Recently?”Isaid.“Notterriblylong.”

Hegrimaced,andIlaughedbrittlely.

“Thatwasashittyjoke,”Iadmitted,“buttoansweryourquestion,anywherefromsixhundredtoathousandyears.Our connectionwithmagicgrantsuslongerlivesthanhumans”

“How.”Heclearedhisthroat.“Howoldareyou?”

Ichuckled “I’meighteen,Walker Justahairyoungerthanyou Wewenttoschooltogether,remember?”

Hesighedwithvisiblerelief.Aflushcreptuphisneck.

“Whatissoembarrassing?”Iasked.

“Ohnothing,”hesaidandadjustedhishat.“Ifyouwereseventyorsomething,Iwasjustgonnatellyou,youlookgreat foryourage.”

Unexpectedlaughterburstoutofme Itfeltsonice,itdawnedonmethatit’dbeenawhilesinceIwasgenuinely amused.

WalkerwasmorecomfortabletraipsingoverfallenlimbsandswattingawaybranchesthanIthoughthewouldbe He wasmorecomfortableinnaturethansomewitches.Heliftedasticktoswatawayahugespiderwebinhispath.

I spoke too soon

“Wait!”Iyelled.

Hepausedandraisedaneyebrowatme.

“Youwouldn’twantsomeonetodestroyyourhome,”Ipointedout,“especiallyahomesobeautiful”

Istudiedthedelicatenetworkoftheweb.Sunlightreflectedoffitwithagentlesheen.Onthebottomcorneroftheweb, mindingherownbusiness,wasthehome’screator Asacclungtothewolfspider’sbody

“She’samother,”Inoted,“andshe’snotevenpoisonous.Wecanwalkaroundher.”

Walker’sjawwentalittleslackatmydisplay,butIignoredhim Afterafewheartbeats,hefellintostepbehindme “Witchesbecrazy,”hemumbledunderhisbreath.

Isentasmallgustofwindathiminretaliation.Itliftedthehatoffhishead,buthehurriedtocatchit.Ifoughtasmile. Wefinallyreachedthevalley TheSunwashighinthesky,amongscatteredclouds Thewarmth,pairedwithagentle wind,mademesighcontentedly.Walkerbrushedpastmeandcrouchedbeforethestream.Hesplashedwateracrosshisface, andInoticedhowsweatyhewas

Did I set too fast of a pace? Ithought. He could’ve asked me to slow down. “Youokay?”Iasked.

“Yeah,”hesaid,“whywouldn’tIbe?”

Ikeptmyobservationstomyselfandsatonanearbyrock.Sandandrocksshiftedbeneathmyfeet.Foliagesprouted sporadicallyinthepoorsoil,andafishsplashedinthecreek

Ipulledsomehomemadejerkyfrommypocketanddugin.Walkergrabbedhisownjerkyandsatnearthecreek. “Iwould’vetakenyouforavegetarian,”hesaid

“Mycovenbelievesineveryfacetofnature,”Ianswered.“Hunts honesthuntswithhandmadeweapons areapart ofthat.That’showwegetourmeat.”

“Geez,”hesaid.“You’remakingmefeelbadaboutmySlimJim.”

Welaughed,andmybodyfeltlighterthanithadindays.Walkerflashedmeasmile,andhisfacebecameaboy’sagain youngerandfullofjoy Itwasanicesight

“Don’tfret,cowboy,”Iteased,“unlessyou’resecretlyawitch youwouldn’tbeaverygoodone.” “You’dcertainlyknowwhatitistobeapoorexcuseforawitch,Redfern”

For Hecate’s sake. AsIrecognizedthevoiceofMaraMorningstar,myskincrawled.Ileapedtomyfeet,andWalker mirroredthemovement.Hishandrestedonthegunstrappedtohiship.Arionhissed,andhishacklesraised.

“Notyet,boy,”Iwhispered “AtleastI’mnotLucifer’sbitch,”Icalledback.

Thedarkwitches Lucifer’switches hidfromsight,thoughMara’svoicehadcomefromthemountainwe’djust crossed.Isensednomagic,sotheyhadtobehiddenamongthetrees.Icursedmyselffornotnoticingtheirpresencesooner. Thedarkwitchestrainedinallformsoftrickeryandsneaking,whichmadethemexcellentspies

AsIstrainedmyeyestocatchsightofthem,IsummonedashieldofwindthatsurroundedArion,Walker,andme. “You’retooweaktoholdhispower,”Maracalledback.“It’swhyyourcovenisgettingpickedofflikepreyanimals.”

Thoughherwordsmademewanttoscream,Irefusedtogiveherthereactionshesought

“Ifyou’resopowerful,showyourself!”Idemanded.

Astiletto-cladfootsteppedoutoftheshadowsofthepines Slowly,therestofMara’sbodycameintoview Shewore afittedblackgownthatwasslitpastherhipandrevealedalongstripofherporcelainskin.

Arubyhungfromasilverchainbetweenhercollarbones,andherlipswerepaintedredtomatchthestone Hersilver, curlyhairwascutjustbelowherchin.Hereyes,likealldarkwitches’eyes,werecompletelyblack.Therewasnotapupilor iristobeseen.ThoughIcouldn’tseetherestofhercoven,shenevertraveledalone.

“Likewhatyousee?”

ThesultryquestionwasdirectedatWalker.Open-mouthed,hestaredatherwithsomethingfarfromlust.Heslammed hisjawshut

“Devil-worshippersaren’treallymything,”hesnapped.

“Yourdevil ourangel,”shearguedandwalkedcloser.“Onewhobelievesinlibertyaboveallelse.Onewhobowsto nooneandnothing.”

“Isthatwhatthisisabout?”Iasked.“Power?Weneveraskedthedarkwitchesto bow. ”

JosephineandIhaddiscussedMara'scovenassuspects,butwenevertrulythoughtthey’dtakeitthisfar.Theyhad morals,nomatterhowflawedtheywere.Witchesdidn’tkillotherwitches.Thoughwehadouroccasionalsquabbles,thedark witchesusuallykepttotheirmountain,whichwasmilesfromours

Theytoooftenriskedexposurebypickingoffhumanvirginsforsacrifices,butthey’dlongagoagreedtoonlytwoor threeofthoseperdecade,andtheyhuntedvariousneighboringtowns,notours Despiteourdifferentphilosophiesandgeneral dislikeofeachother,welivedinpeace.

“No,”Marasaid “You haven’t,butyourcovenbowstotheHighWitch” Ashiverrandownmyspine.Myshieldwavered.

“YouwanttochallengetheHighWitchCordelia?”Iwhispered.Justsayingthewordsfeltdangerous. Maragrinnedandflashedherjaggedteeth

“I’mchallengingthewholedamncourt,”sheexplainedandcackled.“Wearewitches weshouldn’tcoweratthefeet ofhumanfilthlikeourancestorsinSalem It’stimeforredemption”

Myheartthuddederratically,andmyvisionblurred.ThiswassomuchworsethanI’deverimagined.IfMara’sefforts caughttheattentionoftheHighWitch,oranymemberofhercourt,thewholetowncouldbedecimated MycovenandIwould certainlybeguiltybyassociation.Ifanyhumansbecamesuspicious,they’dbedeadtoo.IfMarawaswillingtokilloffherown kind,shecertainlywouldn’thesitatetosharethatI’dexposedWalkertothetruth.

Adarkerthoughtparalyzedme

Did Mara kill my mother?

Assilencestretched,Walkerstaredatme

“Andyou’llkillwhoeverstandsinyourway,”Iadded.

“I’llkillwhoeverittakes,”sheagreed.“Now,I’vehadenoughofthischatter.”

Shebeckonedathercohortsandglancedbehindher.

“C’mon,sisters!”shecalled.“It’stimetogettowork.”

CHAPTEREIGHT

Walker

Werewolves I can handle, but Satanists? Thisdayhadbecometoomuch.EvenFreyawasfrightened.Thoughcoiled intofistsathersides,herhandsstillshook,andhereyessearchedtheforestrelentlessly Cloudspollutedtheoncebrightsky andeventhebreezehadslowed,asifittoowereafraidofthemonstrouscreatureswefaced.

Thewitch Mara,Freyahadcalledher wasageless Herhairwascoarseandgray,yetherfeaturesremainedsoft Hereyeswereendlesspits.Likewitnessingabadcarwreck,Iwantedtostareintothemandlookawayallatonce.Hershoes wereridiculous.

You’d have to be magical to hike in heels like that, Ithought, or crazy enough to worship Lucifer

“I’llkillwhoeverittakes,”Marasaid.“Now,I’vehadenoughofthischatter.”Shespokeasifwe’dmetupfora friendlylunch

Freya’sforcefieldofwindnearlydrownedoutallthesoundoutsideourbubble,butnotquite.Ahumfilledtheair, whichInowsuspectedwasasignofmagic.Arionpacedandhissedrelentlessly.

“C’mon,sisters!”Maracalled.“It’stimetogettowork.”

Alouder,shrillerhumfloodedmyears.ItfilteredpastFreya’sshieldandgavemeasplittingheadacheinnotime.I wrenchedmygunfromitsholsterandtriedtoignorethatIpulleditonactualpeople

Well, on things that looklike people.

Freyahadtriedtopreparemeforthedangersofthismission,butjudgingbyherownshakiness,preparingtokilland actuallykillingweretwodistinctlydifferentacts.

Morewitchessteppedoutoftheshadowsintheforest.Therewereatleasttwelveofthem.Allofthemworeblack, skimpydressessimilartotheoneMaraworeandthesameoutrageouslytallandnarrowshoes.

Theirskintonesvariedgreatly,butnoneofthemappearedtohaveseenthesuninages.Theysquintedagainstthelight. Theirashyskinbecameevendullerunderitsshine Alltheireyeswerethesameinkyblack Theysurroundedusinacircleand claspedtheirbonyhandstogether.ThoughIcouldn’tdiscernwhattheysaid,theirlipsmovedrapidly.

“Ican’tshootwiththeshieldintheway,”ItoldFreya

“IfIletitdown,”sheargued,“they’llhaveamillionassaultspellscomingrightforourheads.”

Theforcefieldshook.Freyatoyedwithhernecklacesandswallowedloudly.

“Itmightnotmatteranyway”Shesighed “Okay,Arion It’syourturn,buddy Ijustneedtodotheliberationspell a quickprotectionspellbeforeIsetyoufree.”

“Freya,”Isaid,“areyouokay?”

Sheswayedonherfeetbutnoddedandwhisperedsomethinginastrange,liltinglanguage.Warmthslidovermyskin, fromheadtotoe,andthewind-poweredforcefieldwasgone Theshrillhumintensified “Godsdammit,”Freyamutteredandrubbedathereyes.“They’redrainingme…I-Ican’t…”

Freya’seyesrolledbackinherhead,andherbodywentslack.Ibarelycaughtherbeforeherheadhittheground.

“Freya!”Iyelled,butmyvoicewaslosttotheincessanthumofmagic

Arionfoamedatthemouth,likehehadrabies,andmeowedwildly.ItdidnothingtowakeFreyaup.Shewasoutcold.

“Scared,mortal?”Maracrooned “Yourlittlegirlfriendcan’tsaveyounow Andwithheroutofthepicture,therewill benoonepowerfulenoughtoretaliateagainstus.TheGreatBetrayerwillbepleased.Wemightevengetatasteofyoursister nowthatyou’llbothbedead”

Rageandfearsharpenedmyvoice.

“Mysisterhasnothingtodowiththis,”Iargued.

Myfingerswrappedtighteraroundthegun Ithadneverfeltsoslipperyinmyhands FacingoffFreya,apartofmehad knownIwouldn’tactuallyshoother.Thatpartofmewasquietnow.

“Yoursisterhas everything todowiththis,”Marasneered,thenlickedherlips “Andshe’lltastesodelicious”

MaralookedatFreyawithdark,hungryeyes,asifsheforgotIwereeventhere.Therewasnotimetowonderwhatthe hellthewitcheswantedwithmysister.Therewasonlytimetostopthem.

No one to retaliate against us…

Theheartlesswitchclearedherthroat.Herfollowerswatchedherwithfervor.Theygiggledanddrewcloser,then claspedhands I’dneverwitnessedsuchgleefordeath Andwewoulddie Freya,me,Cadence.

Freyahadtoldmeamortalgunwaspowerlessagainstabunchoftrainedwitches,andmaybeitwas,ifsaidwitches thoughttodefendthemselves iftheythoughtIwouldactuallyhavethegalltostrikeback. Iraisedthegunandfired.