Chapter One #2
They were Evelyn’s father’s sisters. The eldest twin, a scholar; the younger, a protector. Their birth order post wasn’t enough to differentiate them from afar. They both sported leathers and Carson crimson, but Ruth, the third born, had an eye patch over her right eye.
“Italog demon,” she’d told the Carson sisters as a bedtime story as children.
“We’ve waited for this all damn day.” Ruth pointed at Skye in Kade’s arms. “That was a good idea.”
Emmet winked. “I take full credit.”
“Since we’ve already alluded it’s not fantastic news, can we move on with it?” Kade asked, but his tone lost all bite as Skye tugged at his beard.
“Oof!” someone grunted. “You’ve made us late. They’ve already started.”
Evelyn clamped her eyes shut, rallying her breath.
Goddess, give me strength.
“We’re right on time,” another responded. “The problem is, I’m a cousin and always forgotten.”
“You’re a century old, Rodrick, let it go.”
Evelyn’s second cousin—if she recalled correctly—Rodrick, who didn’t look a day over thirty-five, rounded the corner in tow with another.
He pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose, swallowing as he caught sight of Kade.
Everyone in the Carson coven had warmed up to him, but the senior scholar still hadn’t grown used to Kade’s tall presence.
Shifting is such a peculiar magic, he’d said.
Evelyn’s great-uncle, Artie, jutted his chin towards Emmet and Kade in greeting—the three had created a quick comradery, all fated to a witch in the coven, therefore not Carsons by name.
Artie whistled as he took off his coat and wool cap. “Guards are practically blocking the streets these days. You’d think they hunted a vampyr, not the third borns.”
Before anyone could entertain Artie’s assessment of the city, Evelyn faced her sister. “Mirella, please, tell us their decision.”
“Goddess, I forgot how impatient you are.” The Carson Elder rolled her eyes. “I secured you a hearing with the Council in two days’ time.”
“Two days?” Evelyn asked. “Sorin doesn’t have time for us to sit around and wait any longer.”
She didn’t have time. But she, Kade, and Mirella had all agreed the fewer who know, the better.
They’d not told the rest of the Carson coven she was dying, including Blair.
Kade hadn’t updated Eldrick of it either in their letters to Drengr Village, which meant they were keeping the truth from Tovi and the Gray Fenris, too.
Riven had a contact in Nūa, and they couldn’t let him learn this setback.
If he learned of this, what was to say Riven wouldn’t capture her again and allow time to do its job for him?
Or worse, take the bloodstone back, and with it, Evelyn’s magic. Sure, the Blood Moon had passed, but Evelyn didn’t doubt Ingrid’s determination to find another way to allow vampyrs to walk in the sunlight.
Emmet scratched his chin. “The other Elders disagree. Riven hasn’t made a move or attacked. They’re skeptical of both your claims as is.”
“But there are rips in the Void,” Evelyn said. “More demons than ever having been crossing into our lands.”
“She’s right,” Ruth said, one eye landing on them all. “Reports came in this morning from the north. The papers are downplaying the danger.”
“The Council is minimizing it.” Evelyn shook her head, planting her hands on her hips. After a breath, she sighed, placing a hand on Mirella’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean you.”
Her sister grasped her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I’m the only Elder on the Council who still recalls there’s a prophecy and a curse. All they’re concerned about is their image, their reputation. The Elders are angry, blaming Evelyn for the lies they told their covens.”
Kade shook his head. “Is it possible to get the hearing sooner?”
Mirella crossed her arms. “I already tried. This morning’s discussion began with demands for your arrest, urging our coven to turn you both over by sundown.
They insisted a trial for your ‘crimes’ against Sorin.
I refused. Unless they want to attack the Carsons directly and start an internal war inside the Wall, so be it.
Getting them to back down was no easy feat. A hearing was the best I could do.”
Josepha, the scholarly twin, snorted. “They’re hoping you’ll both come out of hiding in those two days.”
Mirella nodded. “Precisely. Both of you will need to stay out of sight. They’re lifting the call for your arrest only on the day of the hearing.”
“Fucking flames,” Evelyn cursed. “I didn’t miss witch politics and games.”
“What’s our best way to prepare for this hearing?” Kade set Skye down, and she raced over her to father.
Mirella lips fell into a thin line, and the rest of the witches didn’t say a word. Silence swallowed the kitchen.
“Kade, Evelyn will be the only one to speak at the hearing,” Mirella said. “You’re permitted to attend the hearing. That is all. ”
“What?” Kade shook his head. “That’s unacceptable. It’s us, the third borns stated in the prophecy. Evelyn’s fight will always be mine.”
“And what other choice do you have?” Blair asked, her question cutting through the group. “Leave the city? Evelyn already ran away, and that didn’t exactly work out well, did it? She must face the Elders because of that decision, and hopefully they see reason.”
Blair’s comment didn’t sit right with Evelyn. The accusatory tone laced into her words rose the hairs on her arms, and hurt swam in her gut. Why was Blair acting so cold? She’d expected this from Mirella, not her middle sister and once best friend.
Later, she decided. After she survived the Council.
“Kade, it isn’t perfect, but this is what we want,” Evelyn said.
He jabbed the paper on the table, jaw ticking. “I have a right to defend you. To clear the truth about the Daughter of the Goddess.”
“I don’t care about my title.” The truth shot out of Evelyn before she’d fully thought it through. Yet, she’d considered this for some time now—believed it—especially with the fight to come. She stared at her coven members, even Blair who her refused to make eye contact, and then Kade.
His amber stare brimmed with pride and light.
“Daughter of the Goddess, Son of the God,” Evelyn started.
“Those titles don’t define us, our actions do.
In the end, it’ll be our efforts that truly matter.
That is what I’ll remind the Council tomorrow.
If I tell my story of running away, it opens the discussion to tell the truth of vampyrs, the Blood Goddess, the entire prophecy, everything to a room full of witches. ”
She crossed her arms, and her resilient being tightened. The council could ridicule her decisions all they wanted. In the end, their opinions didn’t outweigh the threat Sorin faced. Evelyn didn’t have time to care what they thought.
Literally. Her soul pulsed with pain as a reminder.
Yet, she’d triumphed over much these last two years and felt invincible, even without her magic, ready to take on whatever else the darkness threw at her.
Strong yet kind hands fell to her shoulders, and Kade nodded. An understanding passed between them. He was with her, no matter what. He believed in her, loved her, and that only fueled Evelyn’s resolve to convince the Council to clear their names.
Then, they’d be one step closer to getting her magic.