Page 76 of Magic Touch
The witches look at each other, but no one speaks.
Sara Beth says, "A cleansing would tell us if she's bespelled. It won't tell us if she's gone to the dark."
Lifting my hands in the helpless gesture that I feel in my bones, I say, "She is accused of attempting the murder of a sister witch. If she's bespelled, she will be cleared of this charge. If she's not, we are no worse off for trying."
"He's right," Minerva says. "We will have one answer and perhaps it will loosen Trina's lips. Maybe she'd repent and help our cause. If Kent has gone dark, we need to know and take action."
Everyone is talking at once again.
I sit and take Esme's hand for a quick touch before I wait and watch.
Thirty minutes pass before Sara Beth rises. "I call for a vote. Who is in favor of using a cleansing spell to root out part of the truth with regard to Katrina Davidson?"
Everyone in the center circle raises their hand.
Feeling at once relieved and worried, I hold my tongue and watch.
"Very well," Sara Beth turns to each element in turn. "I ask Goddess for her strength. Anyone not in the inner circle who wishes to be spared the sight may do so. I warn those not of or new to magic, this is unpleasant to behold."
No one leaves, though the witches in the far circle mutter to each other, giving the room a ghostly feel.
Esme leans toward me. "You may wish to advise your people to leave. I have not witnessed a cleansing spell, but I understand it can be quite brutal."
With a nod, I go to where Henry, Anne, and Samuel sit at the far end of the circle. "I am advised that this will not be something you wish to see. Perhaps it would be best if you returned home. I shall inform you of the results tomorrow."
Anne's eyes water, and she tears at the handkerchief clutched in her hands. "Will they kill her, sir?"
"I don't think so. They have a rule to do no harm. I think they will try to divine the truth, and her resistance will make that uncomfortable." I wish I knew what to expect, but I'm only guessing based on the coven rules I've seen and learned in the last few months.
Pale and ready to burst into tears, Anne stands. "I'll make my way home, then."
Samuel also rises. "I'll take Anne back to the house."
Henry looks grave but resigned. "I would like to stay, if you wouldn't mind, sir."
"If I'm honest, I'll be grateful to have a friend in the crowd," I admit.
Anne says, "Miss Esme will stand by you, sir. Have no doubt of that."
She's right. Esme will stand with me, even if my stance is bad for her future. It makes it hard to know what's right. "Of course."
Prudence and Sara Beth move to the hearth and speak in low tones.
I shake Henry's hand, then walk to the center of the circle. I lean in to speak softly to Trina. "You could tell them everything and spare yourself this."
She stares at me with eyes black as pitch. Her body stiffens unnaturally, and she leans in. The rage burning inside her is ugly and forces me to back up. A moment later, her eyes return to normal, and she slumps with her head hanging. For a moment, I think I imagined the grotesque.
"I have nothing to hide, William," Trina whispers, sounding calm and angelic.
"Are you certain?"
The flash of whatever lives inside her returns then fades. "You were kind to speak for me."
When she returns her gaze to the floor, I take my seat next to Esme. I wish I knew more. "Something is inside her. Something evil. I saw it for just a second."
"Then perhaps this cleansing will root it out." Esme's mouth pulls into a tight line.
Prudence returns to her seat. Dark rings mark the underside of her eyes, and her shoulders hunch. "I would ask Esme O'Dwyer to add her strength to the circle, if she is willing, and there are no objections."
