Page 94 of Her Blood Revenge

‘No one from a coven is away without our knowledge or approval. Cole has not been seen here for more than three weeks. Coincidently, just before a load of your grubby little witches attacked our castle.’

If he was pale before, he’s grey now. I wonder where all that blood has vanished to.

‘I am not here about your attack on my castle,’ I say, brushing it off. ‘We had something that belonged to you, and you took it back. It was expected. I’m actually surprised it took you as long as it did to reclaim your grimoire.’

Bensen’s surprise is clear.

‘T-then why are you here? Just for the girl?’

‘For the girl,’ I repeat.

‘She is not here. Cole lost his mind after his father’s death and the death of his bride-to-be. Miss Nectan. A great wolf attacked us on the night of the blood rite. The wolf killed them both before his eyes. He was unable to move past it and swore those at the blood rite to complete secrecy, on pain of death, that we would not tell anyone about any of it. He then became aware that the grimoire was in your possession. Many of us implored him to approach you and request it back. If that was even true, to begin with. He was consumed with rage and instead led a group of witches to your castle to retrieve the grimoire himself. He has not been seen since. And My Lord General, may I say, I never supported his ascension to coven leader. I always found him too young and fool-hearted. I mean, choosingthe Nectan girl to begin with when we all knew she was not quite right in the head. Her and her status-grabbing father both. We all told Cole that she was a poor choice for a wife. But he refused to listen. He never listened to any of my wisdom and look at where that has landed him.’

Archie looks at me with a raised brow. I meet him with one much the same.

They do not make coven elders as they used to. Formidable they were. We could take weeks breaking them apart, and they would never speak a word if it meant betraying their covens.

Now… this is the best they can do? A simpering ladder climber ready to spill sacred secrets to save himself.

Lucky for us, I suppose.

‘So you have no idea where Cole is now or what he is doing?’ I ask.

‘No,’ he replies, his head low as he shakes his head. ‘He attended the swearing-in at the king’s palace with my niece and organised the attack to happen as you were in attendance. Neither have been seen since.’

‘Your niece?’ Archie asks, stepping closer to the man. ‘Thalia is your niece?’

He straightens his back, perhaps realising his mistake in mentioning a family member.

‘Yes. I had hoped that when Cole chose her as his bride in place of the Nectan creature, the coven would have a chance. Sadly, a woman is not to be trusted to help the ambitions of a powerful man. She is not the girl I hoped and has left along with him.’

‘You can do it better, yes?’ Archie teases. ‘Be a stronger and more fearsome covenleader?’

‘Of course, My Lord. I’m your man. I assure you.’

‘So. Do you have the earth grimoire in your possession now?’ I ask.

But he shakes his head.

‘None of them returned after going to reclaim it. An act I was firmly against, may I remind you. We assumed they either perished or were with Cole.’

The door to Ashe’s home opens, and Bensen’s man brings in five others, guiding them inside by their elbows as they look around in startled confusion.

‘General,’ Bensen laughs nervously as he watches me face them. ‘These men are of little to no importance. If you require anything, please let me know, and I will be sure you are accommodated.’

Archie and I stop before the five men.

‘Gates. Yarling. Kressiter. Langly. And Holt?’ I ask.

‘Yes, General,’ they all reply. One of them steps forwards. ‘How may we be of service?’

I smile.

‘I believe you know a young witch by the name of Ashe Nectan,’ I tell them. Only the one who spoke meets my eyes. The others continue glaring at the floor. ‘Am I correct?’

‘We knew her father,’ he replies.

‘Yes. You did. I believe you knew Ashe quite well, too.’

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