Chapter 45
45
JOSEPHINE
“ H ave you ever heard of both covens having a meeting together before?” I ask Roman.
Penelope and the rest of our friends hike down a packed snowy path behind us. Both the Tenebris and Lumen covens received notification that we are to meet in neutral territory in the Grimwood for the winter solstice. No other information was given. We considered not going, but curiosity got the better of us.
It’s been nearly a month since the incident at the Lumen coven house. Penelope has moved into my apartment. Neither of our parents have reached out to talk to her or even see if she’s okay. The only one of our family members that has gotten in touch is Camille. She sent a series of awful rants about how I’ve fucked her and our parents over. If someone can scream over text messages, it’s Camille. The continued lack of responsibility for the consequences of her own actions is astounding. I wish I could say it’s surprising, but it’s really not. Maybe someday they’ll all figure their shit out.
I’ve left the messages on read.
Piper cried for a solid week after everything went down. She wouldn't stop apologizing for taking us to the coven house. When pressed for a reason why, she refused to answer. I have some suspicions that it wasn’t exactly her choice, but whenever I’ve brought it up, her face turns red and all she can do is shake her head.
My place isn’t the ideal living situation since the spare bedroom is so small. Penelope doesn’t complain, although I see how sad she is when she doesn’t think I’m looking. Fuck my parents for doing this to her. I’ve made my peace with their shitty behavior, but it hurts my heart to see Pen struggling.
Roman has been staying at my place almost every night. Penelope is too young to be left alone, despite how often she tells me she is, in fact, old enough. For his part, Roman has been incredible. When I mentioned how bad I felt that he had to stay at my place every night, he cupped my face, pressed a kiss to my mouth, and responded with, “Bram’s living in my house right now anyway. It was nothing more than a place to hang my clothes. Honestly, it doesn’t matter where we are. As long as you’re here with me, then I’m home.”
I screwed his brains out that night.
And secretly, I think he doesn’t want to go back there. Anastasia Lexington is a fucking predator. Roman may have branded her, but I believe in my soul that the universe is not done punishing her. Maybe it makes me a bad person, but I’ve pleaded with the Triad to make sure she never hurts anyone ever again, even if it means ending her.
Golden beams from the setting sun are fractured by the bare trees. The wind has settled and although the temperature is below freezing, I’m pleasantly warm in my winter gear. Instead of congregating in our normal spot in the Grimwood, we’ve been directed to a new location. There’s no question that we’re on the right path because a steady trickle of witches is leading the way. There are more than a few side eyes and questioning glances directed our way. We are members of the two covens casually socializing. The nerve!
Bram and Ava have been bickering behind me the entire hike.
“Was that your stomach?” Bram sounds exasperated.
“I’m sorry, is my hunger annoying you? I didn’t have time to eat lunch today, and I got off work…oh…literally two seconds before we left to come here.”
“Is that why you’re wearing someone else's clothing?”
I look over my shoulder and spot Ava rolling her eyes. She’s wearing dress pants that are bunched up in her snow boots and an oversized plaid coat that belongs to Stellan. “I forgot my coat at my desk. Are you always this grumpy?”
“Are you always this noisy?”
“Apologies, I didn’t realize we were on a silent hike.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re like one of those yappy little dogs?”
“I love dogs,” Ava replies, as if Bram has given her a compliment instead of insulting her. Bram mumbles under his breath.
“Can you both shut up? You’re giving me a headache.” Stellan tosses the hood up on Ava’s coat, covering her eyes. Both she and Bram turn and glare at him. He signs something at Odie, and the two of them grin at each other. I’ve slowly been learning sign language, but Stellan has picked it up with incredible speed.
We reach the clearing just before sunset. The glen is similar to where we typically gather for our new moon ceremony. When I checked it on the map, it was smack dab in the middle of the boundaries that separated the covens’ territories for years. There’s an altar in the center of the clearing, and I recognize it. At least part of it. It’s the altar that Selene has used for as long as I can remember, only it’s been joined with a second piece. They fit as though they were always meant to be together.
Knowing that the coven used to be one instead of two, I wonder if that’s the case. When the covens split, did they crack the altar in half, and each side got a piece?
Selene is standing behind the newly repaired altar, and next to her is Lucida Ash, the leader of the Tenebris coven. Where Selene is a skeletal collection of bones, Lucida is all hips and curves. Her bronze skin shines with vitality, and her dark eyes sparkle as she watches all the witches enter the clearing.
The Lumen Coven Council and what I suspect is the Tenebris Coven Council stand behind the two leaders. My parents and Camille are off to the side, glaring at the crowd and looking down their noses at everyone. None of them so much as glance in our direction.
“Anyone else feel like we’re walking into a trap?” Ambrose sounds so cheerful; it’s like he’s hoping for a fight.
“At least one of you has their head on straight.” Agatha Fitzsimons shuffles forward with her cane in one hand and her other wrapped around Morty Woodroot’s arm. Fitz has on an ankle-length puffy coat that all but hides her identity. Morty, on the other hand, is wearing a fuzzy faux fur jacket with a hood that makes him look like a lion. His pants are shiny pleather, and his knee-high boots match.
My mouth falls open. I’ve never seen him at any coven event.
“Shut your mouth, girl, you look like a marionette,” Fitz says, and I snap my mouth closed.
“What are you doing here? I didn’t think coven gatherings were worth your time?” Roman boldly asks. I elbow his side, and he gives me an amused look.
“We heard a very interesting rumor.” Morty looks over the crowd, his eyes narrowing as he looks at the altar. He turns his assessing gaze to me and Roman. “What have you two done?”
“What? Me?” I point to myself, and Penelope snorts next to me.
Morty winks at her and drops his gaze to my hand, which is clasped in Roman’s. His eyebrow lifts, but he doesn’t say anything else. I don’t have to look to know it’s the hand with the twin vines on my ring finger.
I’ve been researching the marks that showed up without warning, only to find vague references to a magical bond between two fated loves. While curiosity has me wanting to keep digging, it’s been more important to look into the Briar Witch’s curse and how we can help our friends. Both my curse and Roman’s have disappeared. We know it has something to do with the bond, but no more than that.
“Sisters, brothers, friends.” Selene’s voice cuts through the air. The sun is just on the horizon, about to disappear for the night.
“On this shortest day of the year, we are gathered together in this new sacred place to look ahead. Just as the days will grow longer once again, our two covens have decided to grow as well.”
Faint murmurs ripple through the crowd. Lucida holds up a hand, and the whispers fade to silence.
“Once, a long time ago, a decision was made for the Luminara coven to split into two, creating the Lumen and Tenebris covens. Our leaders thought it the best way to preserve our traditions and ensure the successful passing of magic from one generation to the next.”
My brow creases. Lucida is saying a whole lot and nothing at the same time. We know from Briar’s grimoire that the covens split because of the curse. They wanted to keep the information about the curse secret and split up because of it. Lucida is making it sound like it was something noble.
“As we grow and learn, so must we change. That is why our two covens are joining into one. We will once again be the Luminara coven, and together, I know we will only become stronger.”
The distasteful looks on the faces of the council tell me that not everyone is on board with this decision. The buzz in the crowd of gathered witches doesn’t sound all that happy, either.
“Why bother?” Penelope asks, her gaze locked on our mother.
I shake my head. “I don’t know, but I doubt it’s good.”
Lucida and Selene clasp their hands together and raise them to the sky. “Together, we will be stronger than ever before.”
There’s a smattering of applause, but furious whispers practically drown the sound out.
“Go, enjoy your solstice and we’ll see you in the new year.” Selene and Lucida drop their hands and back away from the altar. The crowd mills around uncertainly, before people slowly start to leave the clearing.
“Should we go celebrate our monumental joining with a few drinks for the adults and a mocktail for our young friend.” Ambrose pulls on one of the ears on my little sister’s hat before doing the same to the fluffy ball on the top of Piper’s hat. Piper’s cheeks turn pink as she lowers her head.
I’m just about to agree, when I spot my mother approaching Selene. The sun has set and the remaining light in the sky is quickly fading. I watch as the two of them go back and forth, my mother gesturing wildly as Selene stays calm. She shakes her head and I catch the words “not yet” as she turns from my mother and walks away.
I’m about to tell Roman what I just saw, when I spot Anastasia Lexington moving through the crowd. My magic burns in my chest. Roman frowns at me and links our fingers together. The longer we have this bond, the more of a life it takes on. Some days, I swear I feel Roman’s emotions. Right now, he’s looking at me like the rage lighting me up inside is radiating through our connection.
“What is it?” Roman murmurs before leaning down and brushing a kiss along my jaw. My eyes close and I suck in a breath. I will never get over the casual way he touches me. To others, it might not be anything extraordinary, but I will never take this man for granted.
“I want her to suffer,” I say through gritted teeth. Roman follows my gaze and a low rumbling sound vibrates in his chest as he pulls me into a hug.
“I have a feeling the Maiden, Mother, and Crone aren’t done with her yet.” Roman pauses, his hold tightening around me. Anastasia is talking to his parents. They look incredibly cozy. “What the fuck is that about?”
My eyes drift to where my parents and sister are slinking off into the night. They may be shamed and cut off from the council, but I’m worried that won’t keep my mother down for long.
“Can we get out of here? I need to get away from this.” I tip my head toward the congregating witches. All I see are more problems on the horizon, and I don’t want to worry about that tonight. With my arm around Roman’s waist and his slung over my shoulder, we leave the clearing and all the problems within it behind.