Page 99 of Love's a Witch
“Thanks.” Raven gave Tam a grateful look, as did I, because within two sips, color had returned to Raven’s pale skin.
“Tell us about this ordinance?” Lyra asked, turning to Broca.
“We used it once before. Back when Mandy wasn’t a part of the coven,” Broca said, adjusting her red glasses. “For the first time in decades, the MacGregor witches had been able to stay in one place without bringing harm to anyone. But it did require sacrifice on behalf of the Charms.”
“What kind of sacrifice?” Tam leaned back and quirked an eyebrow. “Human?”
“Unfortunately, no.” Broca looked directly at Mandy Meadows.
“Savage,” Lyra said under her breath.
“The ordinance requires not only that the Charms meet each week, but we also must do withholding spells each week. On top of that, wards must be placed around the town, checked, and recharged on a biweekly basis.”
“What does the withholding spell do?” I blinked at Mandy Meadows when she sneered at me.
“Withholds the curse from landing on our town?” Mandy Meadows spoke as if I were a toddler who was still learning my words. My lip curled in distaste. “As you can see, this will be an incredible amount of work, not just on behalf of the Charms, but even more so on the Charms who already have their magick. We’ll be picking up the slack of those who aren’t yet of age.” She sniffed in the direction of my sisters.
“You’re saying there is a solution, but it just takes hard work?” Tam shrugged a shoulder. “So what?”
“It’s tedious, time-consuming, and with very little benefit.” Mandy Meadows took a small sip of her tea, sitting rigid in her seat.
“I beg to differ, Mandy. A full coven has a huge benefit, particularly for the leader. If I remember correctly, won’t a full coven amplify your powers tenfold?” Broca leaned back in her chair and took her own small sip of tea. All eyes bounced back to Mandy.
“Goodness, while that sounds lovely and all, I’m already quite powerful.” Another sip of the tea accompanied by a rigid smile.
“As am I,” Broca said. She sipped. “A factor you should consider. Without my help, those beauty spells of yours might slip a bit.” Another small sip.
“I don’t use beauty spells.” Something flickered in Mandy Meadows’s eyes, but she took a measured sip of her own tea. “Though I’m sure you must need plenty of them.”
I sucked in a breath.
“Luckily, I don’t. I’ve been blessed with good genes. Strong genes. Remind me about your mum again, Mandy? Why didn’t she make it into the coven?” Broca’s eyes were steely behind her glasses, and she took another long sip from her mug.
The head of our coven stilled, her face a mask.
“We’ll put it to vote,” Mandy Meadows finally said, her voice as cold as the storm that raged outside.
“Please, by all means.” Broca waved a hand to the table, ever gracious, and then took another small sip of her tea as if to punctuate the win.
“All in favor of enacting Ordinance 33.3, please raise your hands.”
Everyone at the table raised their hands except for Deidre and Mandy Meadows. Mandy smirked.
“Unfortunately, without a unanimous decision, the answer to your motion is a resounding no.”
“Hardly resounding,” Nova muttered.
“Wait, doesn’t the majority win? Isn’t that more democratic?” I asked, confused. We finally had a real solution, and it was just being ripped away from us before we’d even had a chance to explore it.
“A coven is not a democracy.” Mandy Meadows stood and picked up her pocketbook. “And, frankly, we shouldn’t have even called a vote, as one of our members is currently in the emergency room. As president of the Charms, I declare the motion denied, and also that no other motions may be called until we are once again all present.”
“What happened to your motto, ‘never harm, always charm’?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“I’m not the one harming people here, Sloane.” Mandy Meadows slanted me a look as she strode to the door, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “It’s your curse that put Felicity in the hospital.”
“Och, come on, Mandy. That’s hardly fair,” Tam called, but the slamming door was the only answer.
My heart dropped. Mandy was right. Wewerehurting people by being here.
