Chapter 23 #2
The murmur of the crowd hushes, and we make our way to the front, the sudden silence followed by a ripple of bowed heads.
I find my place between Callan and Pax, the latter shooting me a wink as soon as I’m near enough to see it.
Chancing a look at the Dame, I find her already staring back at me, gentle gaze traveling over my black suit, and all the way down to the tread of my boots.
My coven decided, unanimously, that no one else can know what I am—especially not the Dame.
We had to tell her something in order to get clearance on a rescue mission, so Callan told her we found a way to take down the ward and didn’t specify that it would need to be down inside it.
He left out the part where I’ve got to cross it first.
And despite the Dame’s track record of constantly questioning Callan’s actions, she bought it.
Ever since Ceres died and Callan confessed her betrayal to the group, she’s been half the Dame she was before. Who knows what’s going through her head, but it certainly isn’t the nitty-gritty details of this mission. Thankfully.
The rest of Pirn somewhat knows what happened at Initiation.
They know Ceres is responsible, and they know she died because of what she did, but they don’t know the part she played the night of the attack.
They don’t know that she framed my mother.
I want the truth to be out there, but it doesn’t keep me up at night—I have all the closure I need.
Turning to fully face the crowd, I instantly spot my friends. There’s excitement in Gemma’s eyes, contentment in Kimber’s green ones, and determination in Selene’s. We said our goodbyes last night over a bottle…or three…of wine, and after piling into Gemma’s bed, we decided that goodbye was stupid.
Grinning back at them, I stand a bit taller. My beautiful friends—three girls that I’ve never felt the need to hide from. They know everything. Everything. They understood it all, but more importantly, they stayed. They aren’t the kind to leave.
“Thank you all for being here today,” Delia starts, and the smile fades from my face. The Dame pauses, surveying the quiet crowd, then takes a deep breath before continuing, “Today is an important one for a few reasons. First and foremost, it is a send-off.”
The crowd’s attention flicks to us, and beside me, Pax straightens.
“As you know, the Ajax coven has worked tirelessly to rescue our loved ones, and I am proud to announce that after weeks of preparation, today they will leave for Streatham. Today they embark on the long-awaited mission to bring our people home.”
A ripple of cheers swells through the heart of Pirn, the surrounding trees coming to life with the sound.
Men, women, and children watch us, most with tears in their eyes and a whole lot of hope in their hearts.
Hope that the next time they see us, they will also see mothers, fathers, siblings…
people they haven’t seen in over twenty years.
Is it certain? No. But there’s a chance. And that is more than these people have had in years, though it’s only a tiny fraction of what they deserve.
When the cheering shows no sign of fading, the Dame holds up a hand, waiting until the crowd grows silent once more. Then, Delia glances briefly in my direction. “All of you know by now of the incident that occurred a few weeks ago.”
At the mention of initiation, the line of us stiffens, and a soft murmur carries through the gathered group before us.
It was impossible to keep what happened quiet—Pirn is too small for secrets—but Callan and Delia agreed to disclose as few details as possible to avoid any uproar of questions while we’re still in the midst of finding answers.
But judging by Laverna’s furrowed gaze and Callan’s suddenly stiff posture, whatever Delia is about to say is a decision she’s made on her own.
“When I took my oath as your Dame, I promised transparency, loyalty, and protection.” She curls her fingers around the wooden edge of the podium. “I have failed to fulfill those promises.”
More hushed whispers start up through the crowd, and concerned glances are exchanged between those in the front. Beside me, Callan adjusts his stance, the line between his brows prominent.
Delia continues, “This was not the first time Ceres Samora betrayed us.”
Gods.
The Dame lifts her chin, confessing to the group, “The night of the attack, it was Ceres who opened the gates. Ceres, who killed Sable Van Reenan.” The murmurs rise to full-blown shouts of shock and confusion.
I look to Callan, who only shrugs, eyes wide on the Dame, just as shocked by her decision as the rest of Pirn appears to be.
Holding two hands up, it’s a miracle she manages to silence the crowd. Delia waits a beat in the quiet, looking over at me. “But I am the one who allowed blame to be passed to someone who was not here to defend themselves.”
My jaw slackens, and the feeling of being watched settles over my skin.
“Esme Van Reenan was exactly who she presented herself as: powerful, brilliant, brave, and…innocent.”
The weight that rolls off my shoulders is heavier than I thought it would be. It’s a victory that I had no idea would feel this good.
For a long moment, I can’t bring myself to even look at the crowd. I blink once, then twice, then a third time, clearing my shock and confusion with momentous effort. Slowly, I break Delia’s gaze, and I find Gemma first—blue eyes squinting back at me with a grin so bright it almost looks painful.
For a moment, the briefest of moments, everything is right. Good. I soak it in. I engrave it into my memory. The brisk morning air, the sun beaming through the mangled limbs of the Banyan, and the settling of a two-decade-long injustice. The clearing of a name. My name.
Delia dips her head, then steps away from the podium, and I watch her move towards the trunk of the great tree.
Laverna’s voice is a distant echo as she makes announcements on strengthening the wards around Pirn and other ways they plan to increase security while we’re gone.
As soon as she dismisses the crowd, it takes all of two seconds for the wind to be knocked from my lungs as Gemma slams into me, long arms wrapped around my shoulders.
“Ow,” I grunt.
“I’m going to miss you,” she sniffles into my hair.
My chest deflates, and I lift my arms to hug her back, the burn of impending tears blurring my vision. “I’m going to miss you too.”
Over Gemma’s shoulder, I see Laverna hugging Easton and Devon, and I see Callan making his way over to May. She pulls his hands in her own when he gets close enough, whispering something I can’t hear over the clamor of the group. But whatever it is, it makes him smile.
When Gemma finally releases me, more tears have welled in her eyes. She quickly wipes them away, making room for Selene to step between us. The lakelet unfolds her arms with a huff, pulling me into a hug as if she’d rather be doing anything else.