Redefined Sister (Morrigan University #5)

Chapter 1

I cried.

I cried hard.

I cried a lot.

If there was ever a time to forgive myself for losing my shit, it was when a man almost twice my age put his hands on me and was forcing me to be in a relationship that was clearly not going to be in name only… And I didn’t see a way out of it that didn’t blow up my life.

Or end up with someone else dead. I’d already had to kill someone, and I wasn’t sure I could do it again.

Plus, now the support system that I supposedly had was having meetings and hearings behind my back, allowing information to be leaked about me, and not securing it the way they had promised.

So yeah, I was beyond a fucking mess, and I started laughing hysterically when I had a random thought that at least I wasn’t puking from the confrontation. Probably because nothing was in my stomach.

Awesome.

I wasn’t sure how long I lost it for, but when I finally could lock onto an actual productive thought instead of just fleeting this or that, one thing stuck out in my mind.

He can’t become more powerful to be my priest and control me if he can’t harvest magic. If he can’t access his familiar, I’ll be safe.

That was the answer. That was the only answer I had—to be had. He was right that others from the council might look down on what he’d done, but if it got them what they wanted and me under their thumb… Would they turn a blind eye or support him?

And would the Reids, Moons, and others supporting me risk blowing up the council over one witch?

It wasn’t a gamble I could take.

I grabbed what I needed and was out the door, not even sure where I was going or who I could trust.

But fate or the gods smiled on me because I caught a glimpse of someone who owed me a serious favor. I did my best to mop up my face and thanked whoever helped me that she was alone.

“Oh, Ms. Millen, you startled me,” Professor Daly gasped when I joined her.

“Sorry, but I need—please, I need help,” I said quietly. “And less ears.”

She studied for me for a moment. “What has happened, Bevin? We can report it and—”

That was the last thing I wanted. “I’m trying to stop a disaster, but I have to do it quickly and without notice. Please, I need you to trust me, Professor.”

She nodded and moved her arm around me protectively, guiding us away from other eyes and behind one of the buildings. “Talk.”

“I-I can’t tell you,” I mumbled, unable to look at her.

I sighed when I realized that wouldn’t be enough.

“One of the councilmen’s children is doing something—they want to take over the seat and get the support of Familiar Treasures.

They want to use me to—I just need to get to the councilman quietly.

I have to defuse this bomb if I can. Please, I just need you to send me. ”

She didn’t say anything for several long moments, so I looked up to see her studying my aura. She sighed and met my gaze. “You are too locked down now that I can’t tell enough.” She reached out to touch my arm but froze when I flinched. “I see.” Tears filled her eyes. “Did he force you, Bevin?”

“Just a kiss,” I rasped. “Please help me.”

“I know you have more planned than talk,” she said quietly. “And I know you are more than just working for that company.” She gave me a gentle smile when I flinched. “All I ask is you not make me complicit in something that can mark my soul while you protect yourself.”

“I won’t, I promise.” I licked my lips and thought of how to explain it. “I’m getting an ace but—I swear it.” I scrubbed my hands over my face. “I hope the councilman will do the right thing. I do. But some of them are just as corrupt and power hungry as my family.”

“Then protect yourself and we never spoke,” she said quietly as she started to lay a circle. She asked the address, and after I looked it up, I told her a few houses down from where I needed.

She opened her mouth like she might ask me to let her know how it all went but then shook her head and sent me without another word.

I cloaked myself so I was invisible when I arrived, and after a moment to acclimate myself, I headed for the Hanson estate. I wanted to roll my eyes at how incredibly lax their security was.

Seriously, no one should ever be that stupid, much less someone with money and who could afford security. They didn’t even have sensors on the property.

I easily hopped a hedge in the backyard from the neighbor’s property, and focused on Conrad’s energy, calling his familiar to me.

The dog came quickly and was as big of an asshole as his warlock.

He wanted to know who I was to dare call him over like I mattered and who he needed to speak to so I was under control.

“You are as disgusting as your master,” I sneered before focusing on my magic. It took a few tries, but then I felt it click.

I felt my panic start to drain from me. I’d done it.

“What did you do, Bevin?” a deep voice asked from behind me. It wasn’t accusatory but scared.

I swallowed a yelp and turned around, not able to see who was there since they were cloaked too, but clearly they could still see me. I backed away, not able to recognize the voice given where my head was.

Then Link appeared. “I put a barrier over both of us, so drop your cloaking. I can sense you, and I saw the magic of this familiar die. Tell me you didn’t do what I think you just did.”

What he said cut me deep, but I didn’t trust him enough to do as he said. “I would have thought you of all people would have had more faith in me than that, but he would have deserved it if I had. I’m tired of promises being made and broken. I’m tired of never feeling safe and it’s not—”

“We won’t let him hurt you or—”

“He already did,” I bit out. “Or are you going to give me some shit that it’s just a kiss and not to be so sensitive? A man almost twice my age put his hands on me and—”

“Bev, I’m on your side,” he cut in. “But we can’t be here, okay? Undo what you did to the familiar and let’s get out of here.”

I took off my cloaking then and let him see how destroyed I was, the mess I was. “You don’t even know what I did and you assume it’s wrong.”

He studied me closely and let out a slow breath.

“Not wrong, panicked. You didn’t hurt the familiar and you would leave a way to undo it.

You’re scared and rightfully so, but…” He scrubbed his hands over his head.

“It’s hard to have faith when you came right here to Conrad’s familiar instead of asking for help, Bev. ”

I chuckled darkly and wiped my eyes. “Yeah, I can’t imagine why I didn’t go for help when that’s what you’re saying.

You want me to give you faith after I was failed again and yet you don’t have faith in me.

” I felt better when he flinched. “And after all I’ve done for you. Your family. The council.”

He took a step closer and reached for me, acting like I slapped him when I took a step back.

That actually hurt my heart given how much I’d trusted Link. I looked away from him. “He put his hands on me. Please don’t touch me.”

“I’m so sorry, Bev,” he rasped, his voice cracking. “I’m sorry he did. I’m sorry you were hurt again. We won’t let him get you and do what he wants.”

“I don’t trust that this time. Not when the council has been having secret hearings and meetings about me and what I can do—what I can give to the council.” The horror that immediately filled his face restored some of my faith in him. “You didn’t know.”

He swallowed loudly. “No, but while I don’t want to believe it—I want to have a knee-jerk reaction that you can’t believe Conrad Hanson either.

” He held out his hand to me. “What I do know is that Taylor Reid and I agree that we put him in the ground before we let him be one of the points of your star, Bev. I swear it.”

My lower lip quivered as I hoped I could trust him even a little bit.

“He said he’ll be my priest and control me.

The moment he’s more powerful than the others, he’ll be my priest and own me for the council and they’ll be happy.

I can’t do that, Link. I can’t go back to being trapped and owned.

I can’t. I just put his familiar in a bubble so he can’t harvest and get stronger. ”

A woosh of air came out of Link, relief filling his eyes. “Thank the gods. Okay, yeah, good call, and I get it. A bubble is great. I didn’t know that was an option but—yeah, okay, but let’s get you out of here.”

There was a noise behind me and I went to look what it was, but Link reacted, sliding his arm around me and activating a circle. I didn’t know where he would take me though, and the move seemed overkill.

And that scared me right then.

I shot power into the circle to change it to where my magic knew was safe and I’d circled to a lot. It was something Nina had shown me and a defensive spell that sort of had to be preprogrammed to the person so I didn’t end up cut in half by the other person’s magic.

Or we were transported to the moon or something.

We ended up arriving at the front gates of Morrigan, on opposite sides of it which freaked Link out from his eyes.

But we had other problems because like all of our media was there and lost their minds when they saw me.

“Bevin, Bevin, when did you seduce Conrad Hanson?” the first shouted.

“How many men are you sleeping with, Bevin?” another yelled.

“Are your promiscuous ways the reason you were kicked out of the Shaw family?” yet another demanded.

“How can you think you’re good enough for a councilman’s son when you’re tainted goods?” another voice shouted.

On and on they went, Morrigan’s guards trying to help and Link stuck at the back of the group. I met his gaze and let him see how crushed I was that this was happening to me.

Again.

Two of the reporters grabbed me when I didn’t answer and I snapped.

“Freeze! Silence!” I let out a slow breath when it was finally quiet, staring out at the people with hate. “What is wrong with all of you?” I nodded to where the grown men put their hands on me. “What is seriously wrong with you vultures that you think you can just touch anyone you want?”

I made a show of taking their hands off of me and stepping away but still staying on camera.

“It’s disgusting that you think it’s acceptable to touch me.

” I focused on the one who grabbed me first. “Because I’m ‘tainted goods,’ right?

” I shook my head. “You’re tainted. You’re beyond toxic.

No woman is ‘tainted goods’ for owning her own body.

I’m eighteen years old and you just touched me like you had some right. ”

I shook with rage when he snorted.

I got in his face. “I could end you. You’re frozen with my magic and helpless like you thought I was because you’re physically stronger than me and a big man, right?

Look into my eyes and see that you aren’t the predator or strong one here, so maybe the men in our society should start having some self-preservation instead of their antiquated ideas.

“Because I will be filing charges against you. How dare you touch me? And if you would me—how many others that couldn’t fight back?

” I smiled when worry filled his eyes. “Let’s find out, shall we?

I bet there’s a pattern, you pig.” I let out a slow breath and glanced around at the others. “All of you disgust me. I’m a teenager.

“A college freshman and Conrad Hanson is mid-thirties.” I stared them down. “What is wrong with you sickos? Did I seduce him? Why are none of you asking if I’m okay? A man that old—almost twice my age announced we’re dating, and… I don’t even know what else. Apparently more from your questions.

“And none of you ask if I’m okay? Did he pressure me?

Is it even true? No, it’s if I’m worthy of a councilman’s son.

You’re fine with a fifteen-year age gap when she’s a teenager?

Why are you not disgusted? Do none of you care about the women in your life?

We’re just able to be claimed like mares and now his brand is on me?

Do you hear how sick that is? How wrong—”

I had a lot more to say, but Link had broken my magic by then and grabbed me, circling us away. I threw power into it again and was glad there was space between us.

“Stop doing that,” he growled as he stormed towards me. “I’m not the enemy! I’m trying to help and not blow this up worse or—”

“Stop putting your hands on me!” I screamed and shoved away from him. “I get to decide who touches me and where I go!”

“You’re right,” he whispered, instantly switching gears when he realized what was going on with me. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I just pulled you away so they couldn’t follow.” He glanced around and frowned.

I didn’t know where we were either, which worried me. Where had my magic taken us that was safe?

“We can’t stay here, Bev. I’m not—I’m just taking you to Aunt Marilyn’s where you’ll be safe,” he whispered. “Please, let me take you—”

“To a councilman’s estate?” I chuckled darkly. “Yeah, I figured that’s where you were taking me.” I snorted when he couldn’t hide his shock. “I don’t know he wasn’t in those sessions, Link. Do you? I don’t trust—”

“Okay, okay, I won’t take you there, but don’t say hurtful things when everything is shit,” he whispered, sounding tired. “I’ll stash you at my apartment while I handle things. People don’t know where it is and it’s protected. Please, that’s a good compromise, okay?”

I didn’t know why he wouldn’t just take me home, but Link was clearly trying, so I nodded, moving towards him. I was glad when he didn’t touch me, just setting the circle. I blinked when the lighting changed and we were in what looked like a stock photo apartment living room.

Clearly, he didn’t spend a lot of time there.

“I’ll be back. Just hang here until—until we figure out what’s next,” he begged but was gone before I could respond.

I swallowed loudly and glanced around, feeling like the walls were closing in on me instead of better. I was suddenly sitting and I felt like my chest was on fire. My bag was clutched to me and somehow I knew the answer was inside of there, but I couldn’t focus over the mumbling.

Who was mumbling?

Emma appeared, one of the few people who could circle to me with the protection Mrs. Reid put on me. Her eyes went wide and then filled with tears. She held her hands out in surrender as she moved closer, treating me like a scared animal who might run off.

And she wasn’t wrong. When I realized I was the one mumbling and I wasn’t even sure about what… She wasn’t wrong.