Page 112 of A Resistance of Witches

Sybil’s tone was conspiratorial, as if she were discussing the caprices of a particularly moody teenager. “The Führer is still licking his wounds from his defeat there, and wants to make a statement. It makes sense, in a way. Once it was clear that the Reich could annihilate the population of an entire city without firing a single bullet, I expect the war would be over in fairly short order.”

“I see,” Lydia said. Sybil seemed to notice her discomfort.

“Darling, I know it sounds terrible. But it’s for the best, believe me. When the war is won, you’ll see.”

Lydia feared she wouldn’t be able to maintain her composure for much longer. She stood and looked out the window, turning her face away from Sybil’s gaze.

“How do you know you can trust him? How do you know he won’t turn on you when the war is over?”

Sybil sipped her tea. “I fully expect he will. And I expect he will regret it.”

She’s a fool, Lydia thought. An arrogant fool, drunk on her own fairy tales.

“And how do I know I can trustyou?” Lydia turned to face Sybil once again. “The solstice is in eight days. You are one witch short of a full coven, and I alone control theGrimorium Bellum.You need me. How can I be sure you won’t turn onme, once the spell is complete? Your coven doesn’t trust me, and to be fair, I’ve given them good reason not to. You would do just as well to replace me at the earliest convenience with another girl from one of your ancient Germanic families. How do I know you won’t?”

Sybil stood. “Because I love you like my own child. I will never betray you. Never.”

It was exactly what Lydia had hoped she would say. Sybil had always been sentimental. Lydia might have felt guilty, under different circumstances. Now she felt only revulsion.

“I’m afraid Ursula will not be so easily won over.”

Sybil gave her a wry look. “Ursula will do as she’s told. I know you two have had your differences, but she’s been with me since the beginning, and she is the most capable witch in this coven. I hope someday you two may be like sisters.”

The notion was so ludicrous that Lydia had to turn her face away in order to hide her expression. When she turned back, Sybil was watching her expectantly.

“I’d like some time,” Lydia said. “Just until tomorrow. Just to consider everything you’ve said. Can you give me that?”

Sybil’s eyes were wide and hopeful. “Of course.” And then, before Lydia could react, she closed the distance between them and embraced her, kissing her on the cheek. Lydia could smell Sybil’s rose perfume, the tea and incense smell that clung to her hair. A terrible sorrow seizedat her heart then, a full recognition of everything she had lost. Not just Isadora and Kitty, but Sybil too.

Lydia pulled away, breaking their embrace. “Come see me again tomorrow. You’ll have your answer.”

Sybil nodded. She looked for a moment like she was debating something. “Your mother has been asking for you. She’s been quite insistent. Would you like me to give her a message?”

Lydia’s heart leapt, but she kept her face implacable.Tell her I’m safe, she wanted to say.Tell her I love her. Tell her I’m coming. Tell her this will all be over soon.

“No,” she said. “Thank you, Sybil.”

Lydia saw a flicker of a smile flash across Sybil’s lips. Then she left, and Lydia was alone once again. She was beginning to get used to the silence, the way every sound fell dead at her feet. She wished she could see Fiona, to know whether she’d survived her injuries, and to apologize for getting her into this mess. She wanted to see Rebecca, to hear whatever creative profanity she would have reserved for Sybil. She wanted Henry, his arms around her, the warm, steady comfort of him.

Most of all, she wanted Evelyn. She wanted her mother.

Patience, she thought.

Lydia went to the chair where her clothes from home had been neatly folded. She set aside the blouse and jumper and held up the gray wool skirt, running her fingers along the hem. She held the fabric to her nose, and smelled something faintly herbal, and for just a moment, she was back in her mother’s kitchen. She folded the skirt and placed it back on the chair, exactly as she’d found it.

•••

When Sybil arrivedthe next morning, Lydia was ready for her. She did not wait for them to exchange pleasantries.

“I’ve made my decision.” She stood in a shaft of morning sunshine,with Sybil standing opposite her, eyes intent on Lydia. “I don’t relish the idea of causing more suffering. But if a little more will put a stop to this war once and for all…then I believe it will have been worth it. And I…” Lydia hesitated. “I want to know what it’s like. To live without secrets. I want to know a world where witches may live openly.”

A hopeful smile spread across Sybil’s face. “Does that mean you will join us?”

Lydia had said the words in front of the mirror. She had practiced them in bed, had fallen asleep with them on her lips, worried that when the moment came, they might ring false. She had said them again and again, all night and all morning, until the falsehood fell away, and the words transformed, and became true.

“Yes. Yes, I will join you.”

Thirty-One

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