Chapter 22
We leave the party quickly through the back door. Joelle clings to my arm, dabbing at my ear with a napkin she grabbed from the counter. Orion stalks ahead, while Malik and Chris linger at the back of the group, making sure that Aria doesn’t disappear into the dark bushes around us.
The only people out in the backyard are a couple slobbering all over each other in the shadows and a lone brunette girl sitting at a picnic table. When the girl spots Aria, she half rises from her seat, but Aria lifts her hand and motions for her to stay.
I make a mental note to watch out for more witches from Aria’s coven.
Orion doesn’t stop until we’ve filed through the back gate. “We’ll be in the car,” he says aloud. In my head, he says, “Let me know if you need backup.”
“I’ll be fine.” With the amount of adrenaline pumping through my veins, I feel capable of anything, like one of those people in high-stress situations who can lift a car off someone’s body.
Joelle is hesitant to leave me, but Malik whispers something to her, and she disappears with the guys.
I don’t waste any time once Aria and I are alone. “I know about the demons.”
Her eyes flash. “That’s your problem, Mikaela. You think you know everything, but you really know nothing.”
I’ve only managed to read a couple of pages of the demonology book I stole from Crescent Moon, but it’s incredibly incriminating.
The opening pages provide a step-by-step guide to summoning demons.
If Gloria had it in her possession, then she knows exactly how to call forth a demon that could do her bidding.
The Hightowers disappeared because they’d been threatened by us. Maybe Gloria’s tired of hiding.
“Look, I won’t lie. Your coven is looking mighty guilty right now, Aria, and so are you,” I say. “You just tried to kill me back there, and I haven’t done anything to you.”
Aria scoffs. “I didn’t throw that knife at you.”
“Then who did? It wasn’t my brother or my friends, and we both know a mortal didn’t do that.”
An odd look crosses her face. “But we don’t know that at all…” she trails off. “Maybe—”
“Cut the shit,” I say. “Stop deflecting. You can still make all this right. Tell Gloria to stop targeting us.”
Aria throws her hands up in the air. “I’m really sick of your accusations! You don’t have any evidence to back it up.”
“How about the fact that you sacrifice animals and summon demons?”
Aria crosses her arms. “My grandmother hasn’t practiced demonology since before I was born.
” She closes her eyes and sucks in a breath.
“She isn’t behind this. None of us are. Yes, our magical practices are different from your coven’s.
So what? That doesn’t mean we decided to wake up one morning and kill other witches. Come on, Mikaela.”
I don’t believe a single thing Aria says, but I also can’t deny the doubt creeping through my body like a vine, twisting and squeezing my insides.
My knowledge of our history with the Hightowers is fuzzy at best. The Elders seemed convinced that they’re capable of this.
But the truth is that my confidence is growing shakier by the minute.
Aria’s right. I’m still grasping at straws.
“How can I trust anything you say?” I ask. “Your first loyalty is to your coven, as is mine. You’ll say and do anything to protect them.”
Aria raises her chin. “You don’t have to believe me.” She turns to leave but pauses. “But I would watch my back if I were you. The answers you’re looking for might be closer than you think.” She casts one last look at the house before walking away.
I stand there for a long moment, shoulders deflated and head angled upward. The moon peeks out from behind the clouds, growing fuller each night.
Out of all the people in that house, four others possessed the power to send that knife flying. Orion, Malik, and Chris would never. But Aria…She’s the only one who would want to hurt me.
It’s clear that our covens can’t coexist. We’re quickly headed down a path that leads straight to outright war.
I find the guys and Joelle leaning against the car. Joelle rushes over and takes my hand, leading me farther away.
“What happened back there?” she demands. “Your brother wouldn’t tell me anything. Who was that girl?”
“She’s no one. It doesn’t matter.” I brush her hand away and take a step back. “Don’t worry about it.”
Joelle’s expression closes off. “Did I do something?” she asks. “You disappeared as soon as we got to the party, and now you’re giving me the cold shoulder. What’s going on?”
The stress of everything is weighing on me heavily.
Joelle came way too close to magic tonight.
If she’d walked into that kitchen a minute earlier, would she have seen Aria send the knife flying in my direction?
I’m not sure how I would’ve been able to explain any of that in a way she would believe.
The more time Joelle spends with me, the more likely it’s looking that she’ll uncover my magical abilities. The full moon is nearly here. I’ve got to protect myself, even if that means hurting Joelle in the process.
“Why do you even like me?” I demand. “Is it because you think I have something you don’t? Do you think by spending time with me that you’re going to uncover this great big secret?”
Joelle steps back. “Mikaela—”
My heart skips a beat, but I keep my expression blank. Hurt blossoms across her cheeks, but I still deliver the final blow. “Come on, Joelle. I know you want to believe that there’s more to life than there is, but maybe it’s time for you to grow up.”
Joelle’s lips thin as she turns and walks away from me without a word.