Page 40 of Pure Magic
Sara Beth’s admiration floods me.
“Tell us.” Sylvia grins. “A theory is better than all this arguing.”
They may think me mad, but this entire thing is insane. “Ariana believes she can kill Hecate, and by doing so, rule all witches. If she succeeds, she will likely use nonmagical people as slaves and witches as her army. She could then rule on both sides of the veil. Clearly, her plan is to get me to join her madness. Is it possible that Goddess manipulated me to come to Windsor, where the coven is strong and sympathetic? Surely another coven would have sent me away as soon as my sister’s evil was revealed. This is the only place that would rather face a threat head on. Most covens want to live simple lives, practice kitchen magic, and go unnoticed. They hide what they are from their neighbors for fear of repercussions. There is no town like this. I have traveled across the island and asked many covens to take me in, but they have pushed me out as soon as they learned the truth about Kaden and Ariana’s past.”
“Smart boy.” Prudence pats my hand.
“Maybe Hecate can’t defeat an onslaught like what the Donnobles attempted. Maybe that’s why she brought me here, where a coven would protect me and the world on both sides of the veil. This coven has protected a country for many hundreds of years. There are few who can make that claim.”
Henry Dove is the only man in the room without magic. Dressed as a gentleman in a black coat and crisp white cravat, he clears his throat. “The men and women of this community will stand by you, Miss Ware. You are well respected.”
Eyes weary, Sara Beth forces a smile. “Mr. Dove, I hope it will not come to that. I’ll not ask anyone to risk their lives.”
“We can’t let them attack Goddess.” Jonah seemed a gentle giant, but there is no doubt of the passion in his voice.
“I will stand with Adam and defend with my last breath if need be.” Sara Beth looks down the table into my eyes. “I can’t ask any of you to do the same.”
Her devotion is more than I could ever hope for and far more than I deserve.
William stands. “I will stand with Adam and Sara Beth.”
“As will I.” Esme stands.
One by one, the witches around the table declare they will join this insane fight against my brother and sister.
It’s been so long since I felt part of anything. I have to brush a tear away before I embarrass myself. Still, my sister will kill them, and I can’t bear that. My immediate thought is to leave.
Anger mixed with sorrow hits me all at once, and I know Sara Beth hears my plans.
The conversation turns to visiting the other coven witches and letting them know what is happening. As the danger is grave, each will be given the option to stay away.
When everyone is in agreement about who will visit whom, the meeting breaks up.
Prudence claims she’s tired and retreats to her room while June and Trina go to the kitchen to begin preparing dinner.
Being alone with Sara Beth should make me incredibly happy, but she knows my heart, and she is not pleased. Somehow, that also makes me happy. I round the table to her. “We are no closer to knowing how to stop Ariana. She has gained the ability to put me in a trance. If she reaches me, she may know how to use me to further her plans. I have to go.”
“If leaving is the only thing you know how to do, Adam, then go you must.” She turns on her heel, storms down the hall, and disappears inside her room.
Chapter
Thirteen
SARA BETH
Goddess, this is not fair. I waited my life for a man I might have feelings for, and you bring me one who has no ability to stay.
My bedroom door opens and closes. I gaze out the window at the street below, busy with people rushing to finish their day. I consider erecting the wall between us once again.
“Please don’t, Beth.” As he moves behind me, his heat warms me through our clothes. “I don’t want to leave. “I would stay with you a hundred lifetimes if it was safe. You and these witches of Windsor have embraced me as no one else ever has. Believe me, I want to stay. Tell me how I do that without risking all of their lives.”
My chest hurts, and it’s hard to breathe. “Where will you go?”
“I don’t know.” He lets out a long sigh. “Another town, and then another. If the legend is correct, I need only escape them until after March third.”
“She could still find you and keep you for another ten years when it is again a year of three, or maybe the year need only be a multiple of three. Perhaps a six or a nine would do as well.” It’s all so unfair. I want him to stay, and I know he cannot. “There is no way to know what the story means or if it’s even true.”
“I know.” He cups my cheek and presses a gentle kiss to my lips. “But it’s all we have. Even if it’s not true, don’t you think it’s likely Ariana believes it? Goddess set her chess pieces in place many years ago. I’ve moved from place to place to come here and learn what I now know just a few weeks before the date described in the doomed fable.”
