Page 24 of White Charms and Dark Secrets

“It makes perfect sense. The white witches that crack, they are the ones that trytoohard to be perfect. The kind of witches that spend their early years never stepping so much as a toe out of line, but then one day, temptation knocks, and because they've never had to deal with it before, they crash and fall further and harder than you'd believe. But you, you look like the kind of witch that could feel at home on either side of the line. Someone that's been brought up by a moderate sort of family.

“Those exist in black covens too, you know? They're the kind of witches that use black magic, but not ever the kind that involves hurting others. And there are more of them than you, a self-righteous white coven bitch, would ever expect.” He leans against a boulder, tapping his fingers against the rock before adding, “I myself am the falling kind.”

“Youwere born into a white coven?” I gape at him. The only other hybrid I know of that was born into a white coven is Kier, but he didn't have a choice in turning. He also didn't have a choice in joining the black coven either.Temptation had nothing to do with his fall, and everything to do with his father’s actions.

“At twenty-one I joined a black coven that my boyfriend was a part of, and four years later, I made the decision to transition into a vampire. My family were all horrified, and they outright disowned me. My boyfriend... he was a little unhinged, and dare I even say, insane? He killed them both when they rejected me. To this day, I’m not sure what bothered them the most, the fact that I joined a black coven, the whole being a vampire thing, or that I was gay.” He sighs, shaking his head in dismay at the memories.

“Well, as interesting as that story was, I don't understand why you are telling it to me.” I lick my suddenly dry lips. When people try to manipulate you, they disclose things that tend to evoke sympathy.

But what is he trying to manipulate me to do?

“Because you still have your powers and can get me out of here. Besides, if your innocence is genuine, as you claim, I doubt you want to help a terrible monster of a criminal escape, now do you?” he answers, raising a thick, dark eyebrow at me in question.

“So, what, you’re telling me you were framed?” I snort with derision and roll my eyes. Now it’s my turn to doubt his innocence.

“Not quite. You see, when I found out what he did, I was furious. Yes, my parents were terrible to me, but they were my parents. I confronted him, demanding that he turn himself in. He laughed at first, until he realised how serious I was. He attacked me, forever scarring my face while screaming of my betrayal and ingratitude as he did so.” He laughs, dark and humourless. “He attacked, and I, well, I defended myself. I killed him during our struggle. I’m not sure if it was purposeful on my part, as my memories of that night are hazy. I got charged for the murders of my parents, as well as his. I'm guilty of murder, true, but only the murder of a murderer. This place has the ability to turn even the most innocent into killers, and I want out of this snake pit, before I do something much, much worse than what got me imprisoned here in the first place.”

The second he's done speaking, a slow clap begins from somewhere behind me. The jarring sound echoes in the cavernous space. I spin around to find the source of the clapping, seeing the blond vampire hybrid I was looking for standing at the entrance to the large cavern.

Once assured my attention is on him, he stops clapping and throws a grin over my shoulder towards the dark-haired man. “Well done, Markus. What a wonderful tale you’ve woven, complete with loss and woe. You did, however, forget the part where you killed two of the officers who came after you. I'm sure—what's your name, love?” he asks.

“Hannah,” I lie.Hopefully better than how I'd lied to Caim.

“I'm sureHannahwould prefer to know the full story,” he finishes, flashing me a fanged smile that makes me cringe. Just the sight of fangs makes me want to vomit now.

“Elias?” I venture, ignoring his words as I watch him closely for a visible response.

“You know me already? My reputation must precede me.” He chuckles, stepping closer. I'd move back, but that would only put me closer to the other vampire. There's no good option here. It’s then I notice that the vampire who led me here has vanished. I wonder if he scurried away to find somewhere to hide when he heard Elias coming. I wish I could.

“Someone I know wants to speak with you,” I explain.

“Oh really? Whom do you speak of?” he questions, sounding intrigued. Although, I'm not completely convinced it's not sarcasm.

“Solas.” I don't blink, scared I'll miss his reaction, not that he shows much of one. Only a slight frown turns the corners of his lips.

“Wait, you said it was a mistake you ended up here, and yet you're looking for Elias? You're here to break him out, aren't you?” The man behind me, Markus, accuses.

I whirl around to face him, throwing my hands up to ward him off as soon as I see he stands closer to me. “Calm down. I summoned Solasaftergetting thrown in here, and he agreed to get me out in exchange for bringing Elias to him so they could talk. He said Elias holds some information he wants or something, I don't know.”

“Summoned? You expect me to believe you summoned a demon, in here? Withnocandles,nocircle drawn, andnoback up?” Markus scoffs, but Elias creeps closer and begins to look at me strangely.

“What did you say your last name was, Hannah?” Elias pries.

“I didn't.” I press my lips together nervously, worried he'll demand it. I'm awful at coming up with lies, especially on the spot like this. When he doesn't push, I turn my attention back to Markus. “Yes, I summoned him without a circle. Solas and I have an...ah...an agreement.”

How can I explain it any other way than an agreement?Nobody would believe that Solas just happens to not want to slaughter or kidnap any member of my family.

“So what, you're just going to call him back? What will stop him from snatching up whomever he wants to kill or enslave if you're not going to encircle him?” Markus hounds, clearly still not buying what I'd said.

“I won't let him,” I answer with a shrug. I wouldn't. I don't know how effective I'd be in stopping him, but I'd damn well try. Nobody deserves to be enslaved by a demon, not even criminals like these. It's bad in this place, but it's literally hell where Solas could take them.

“You thinkyouhave the power to stop a demon? You're certifiable,” he splutters.

“Well, you can think I'm insane all you like, I'm calling him either way,” I retort, before taking a deep breath.

“I really don't think—”

“Solas, I summon you!” I call loudly, my voice ringing out and cutting Markus off. Elias stands firm, quiet but calculating as he watches me.

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