Page 31 of Destiny of the Witch

Mum’s plight had been a moral one; her distress over killing Diane had sent her back through time. Her mind was the cost of securing the harkan, keeping it from being fully used by the evil Coven. Her sacrifice – giving a piece of her mind and soul – had been made because she lovedme. She had been trying to keep me safe from my father and the evil Coven.

I sat down. How could I be angry? Mum had lost everything for me. I could even forgive her the ill-advised clearing – she was my mum and I could forgive her anything. Frankly, if she told me now that she’d killed someone, I would help her hide the body. Love makes you do crazy things, including breaking your own rules. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for love and I couldn’t fault my mum for feeling the same, even with all the grief it had brought down on our heads.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda had no place in my life. All I could do now was move forward. And that is exactly what I was going to do.

Chapter 24

The Coven common room was full but eerily silent. A Coven-wide summons like this was rare, especially during the working day. All eyes were on me and the tension was palpable. Everyone gathered there knew that what I was about to say would not be good news. You could have heard the rune stones drop such was the strength of the silence.

I touched the pentagram pendant that hung at my neck and felt a surge of affection and confidence through it. My sisters believed in me. I felt confidence from inside too, from myself and from Bastion. He believed in me, too.

I cleared my throat and broke the silence. Best deliver the news like ripping off a plaster, I decided. ‘Brace yourselves. It’s time for some hard truths. Firstly, Hannah Lions is dead.’

Gasps and wails rose from the assembled witches. They paired up to offer comfort, pulling the nearest person into hugs of misery and commiseration. Hannah had been popular with good reason; she had been kind, friendly and hardworking.

I let my Coven have a moment of disbelief and mourning but my news bulletin was not done, far from it. The hits had to keep on coming. I waited until there was a lull in the noise, and spoke again. ‘Secondly, the black Coven, the evil Coven, is real.’ Shocked silence fell. ‘They killed the former Crone, Abigay. I have been tasked with rooting them out.’

I took the time to look around and meet the eyes of those assembled there. ‘Thirdly, Ria and Meredith were targeted by them, and that was why Cindy was killed.’

‘IKNEWit!’ Melrose snarled. ‘IknewRia and Meredith wouldn’t miss Cindy’s funeral. Where are they?’

‘With Hannah’s help, I hid them in a safe house,’ I replied calmly, mixing a little lie with the truth. I wouldn’t risk the circus, even for my Coven. ‘Hannah was tortured and killed to ascertain their location.’

‘Good Goddess above,’ Melrose gasped. ‘Are they—’

‘Meredith was attacked but we managed to save her. Ria is fine. They have been moved to another location.’

‘Who?’ Melrose gasped. ‘Who would kill Hannah? She was the best of us.’ She sobbed the last few words.

‘She was,’ I agreed. ‘All evidence points to Edward Tenby being the one who killed her.’

Murmurs of ‘her own guard’ circulated around the common room as they digested the horrific news. In for a penny, in for a pound. ‘Jeb’s death was not accidental. He was a necromancer working for the evil Coven. He was responsible for High Priestess Melva’s death.’

More gasps and wails. I tried to stifle my impatience; this was a lot of dreadful, upsetting news, a news bulletin full of deaths and betrayals. I looked for anyone whodidn’tlook genuinely upset, anyone whodidn’tlook shocked.

There was no surprise on either Ethan’s or Jacob’s faces, but they knew all about it already. Henry and Sarah were cosied up together close to his fathers. Henry looked a little smug, though that might have been due to the nubile young woman pressed against him rather than any dark inclinations on his part.

John had his arm around Venice; his eyes were grim but he didn’t look particularly shocked. Timothy was next to Briony and he didn’t look particularly emotional, either. Toxic masculinity at work? Or something more? Goddess,I hated this. Looking at everyone as though evil might be in their hearts and their actions was draining.

Enough time had passed and I needed to move this along. ‘As you know, Hilary Mitchell was an evil witch. I fear that the evil Coven’s rot has spread insidiously. Guard your hearts and minds. Do not give into temptation to use pain to boost your powers – greater power is not worth your soul. Examine your companions and watch their actions. Any suspicions, please consult me. As you know, it is my job as the Crone to root out evil wherever it exists – here or in the council.’

I paused then went on. ‘As such, this is my notice to you that I will be stepping down as Coven Mother. I will serve a week or two’s notice and will shortly be opening the application and interview process. I will provide more information about this in due course, but for now know that it has been my absolute honour to serve you. I will continue to serve you in my new capacity as the Crone. My door will always remain open to you.’

I waited a beat but no applause followed. Tough crowd. ‘All those who wish to say farewell to Hannah, please join us in the cremator room.’ No one moved. ‘Now,’ I added firmly.

They started to move towards the door in a trickle at first, then in a wave. It was time for a eulogy for Hannah.

I hoped I could do her justice.

Chapter 25

Earlier on, Ethan had managed to contact Hannah’s sister, Jennifer, and she had agreed to attend the Coven for the service. She stood next to the coffin, grief raw on her face. She had helped me write the eulogy so I could speak eloquently about Hannah’s formative years and their time together in the Liverpool Coven before Hannah moved closer to their elderly father. He had died a long time ago but, having found her place in a Coven that had come to mean the world to her, Hannah had stayed.

I managed to read those stories from her early life easily because I hadn’t known her then. It was harder when I came to my part. I looked at Jennifer and spoke directly to her.

‘Hannah was a very kind-hearted person. She had a strong work ethic and she never said no to anyone. As such, she always ended up working long days, but she rarelyspoke a word of complaint. She was keen to help, to make the world a better place. She was ambitious, rightly so, and I saw her rising to the position of Coven Mother one day, either here or elsewhere. Her rune work was exemplary and her knowledge continued to grow as she studied in what little spare time she had. She was an asset to this Coven, not simply in terms of her skills and enthusiasm but also in her spirit.’

My eyes welled and I looked down at my papers, shuffling them to hide the moment of weakness. I waited until the lump in my throat had subsided before I continued.

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