Page 38 of Pure Magic
“Thank you. Please, everyone, sit. Adam and I have a story to tell you. Once you’ve heard it, we’ll discuss how the Windsor coven should go forward.” Sara Beth waits while everyone finds their seats at the long table.
Once they are all quiet, Sara Beth recounts what happened at the park. She explains every detail but reveals very little of my childhood to the group. When she’s finished, a long silence settles.
Winnie clears her throat. “Forgive me, Adam, but do you believe your siblings capable of harming others?”
“Yes,” I say. “Ariana has killed. I’m not sure about Kaden, but if she asked it of him, I believe he would murder.”
Jonah traces a path in the grooved wood of the old table. “She said she wanted to destroy the people of Windsor. Did she mean to kill the nonmagical population too?”
“Yes, Jonah.” Sara Beth takes a deep breath. “I understood her to mean she wants to rule this entire island and beyond. She takes no issue with killing anyone who stands in her way. She offered me domain over Windsor and the surroundings if I hand Adam over to her.”
“Out of the question.” Esme’s places a cup of tea in front of Prudence. Her shoulders are stiff and her voice sharp. “We’ll not trade a good person, witch, brother, or otherwise, for an empty promise. Whatever she plans with the help of her brothers will not bode well for England and the crown. We’ve sworn to protect this country.”
People nod and reply in a flurry of agreement.
Sylvia bangs her fist against the wood. When the room quiets, she asks, “Why couldn’t they cross the protection spell, Sara Beth? Did you cast a circle through Goddess?”
I hadn’t even thought about that. A normal protection spell might have kept us hidden from prying eyes. A nonwitch might have walked right by without noticing us. Another witch might have seen us but not taken enough interest to stop. The spell should have diverted Ariana from finding us, but once she did, she should have been able to walk right through even, if her magic was stilted.
“I’m not sure. Maybe Goddess was watching. I’m thankful for the gift, but it would be nice to know if they’re not capable of crossing my protection.” Sara Beth shrugs.
Trina shakes her head. “Kaden has already crossed your protection. You protect this house, and he’s been here twice.”
“True.” Sylvia narrows her gaze. “I think we must assume today’s gift was from Goddess.”
“Even so,” William says, “our enemies don’t know that. As far as they know, Sara Beth can cast a ring that they can’t cross. It might be a strategic advantage.”
Without anyone actually saying so, it’s obvious this coven intends to fight my siblings. I have to give another option. “You could turn me over to her and save Windsor, or I can run far and as fast away from here tonight, and they will give chase.”
Still and silent, they all stare at me.
A long twenty seconds pass before June says, “That is not our way, Mr. MacNab. If you wish to run, I don’t think Sara Beth will force you to stay, but you have been accepted. You are liked. We protect our own as well as the crown.”
“Well said, June.” William pounds the table. “If you want to go, Adam, that’s another story.”
My heart is bursting. It’s hard to form words. “This is the first place that has felt like home since I was eighteen years old. Leaving is not what I want, but it might be what’s best.”
Several witches shake their heads, but it’s Prudence who speaks. “Stay and fight, Adam MacNab. We will be your home and your family. If we die, we die together, but we’ve won more than one battle in this house.”
My throat is too clogged with emotion to speak, so I nod.
Sylvia clears her throat and dashes a tear away. “It would help to know what your sister needs you for, Adam.”
“I wish I knew.”
Prudence says, “I may have an idea about that.”
Everyone’s attention turns to the great mother.
She sips her tea then puts the cup aside. “I spoke to an old friend earlier. She’s even older than me.” With a rough chuckle, Prudence grins. “She reminded me of an old text from a book they say was written by the gods of old. A passage tells of three brothers who tried to kill a god. They used the power of their sibling bond to join their magic and force the god to submit. In the end, the gods joined forces and won the battle, destroying the witches.”
“Great Mother, I know this tale. My mother used to tell it to me as a bedtime story, but I thought it was a fable. Are you saying the brothers Donnoble were real?” Sylvia shakes her head, as if to clear away a lifetime of belief.
Esme clears her throat. “It’s a children’s tale, to be sure. It’s in a book my father brought back from Ireland. My parents read it to me as well. How can it be real?”
Everyone starts talking at once.
Prudence smiles over the loud debate.
