Page 60 of With This Witch
Grog.
Grog pleasantly smiles and continues as if they have all gathered for a family meal. It would be the most dysfunctional family in existence, thanks to Uncle Groggy, that’s for damn sure. “Many of you are unaware, but Gladys Rose is fatally ill, which means we require a new Premier Witch,” he says dramatically, standing to face his audience, arms outstretched to his sides, his councilor robe billowing out from some unknown wind source. His dramatics rouse a gasp from the audience. “And as part of filling that role, we have to consider those direct descendants of the current Premier Witch before looking at other candidates who have spent years demonstrating their worth.”
Murmurs spread throughout the audience. As the excitement and voices rise, Grog raises a hand, silencing everyone in the room. “We, the council, met with Miss Petra Rose a few months ago and informed her of what she would need to do to prove she could take on this role. She had to show she was committed to our community, and she agreed to the terms we set for her.”
Petra steps forward, eager to clarify that she was tricked, but Lachlan places a hand on her arm to stop her. A gentle warning not to do anything to feed the troll. She returns to her position, rocking back on her heels, and grumbles to herself.
“Those terms were that she needed to get married within thirty days.” The audience murmurs, a mix of agreement and dissent. “Should she fail, Miss Sloan Wilks would become the new Premier Witch.” At this point, all heads turn to Sloan, who stands at the back of the room surrounded by her family, all beaming as if they’ve won a long-fought battle. “And if she were to fail, Miss Petra Rose would also be stripped of her powers.”
This final revelation in a climactic story sends the audience into an uproar. Stripping a witch’s magic is only used for the most severe cases, generally where they have caused serious harm to another being—be it supernatural or human—and even then, only after a rehabilitation attempt. So, to hear it as a threat for not meeting these archaic stipulations is gravely upsetting to those in attendance. Many in the audience are now standing, even those who only a moment ago murmured their agreement at forcing her to get married, and yelling at the council, loudly voicing their concerns about that caveat.
Councilor Clellugs bangs her gavel, settling the audience. “While we appreciate your attendance this evening, you will be escorted out if you cannot contain yourself. Understood?”
“Yes, Councilor Clellugs,” the audience responds, suitably admonished.
“Thank you. Councilor Grog, you may continue,” they say, gesturing forward with their hand, giving him the floor.
“Now that we are all aware of the situation, we will get to why this meeting has been called.”
“Yes, please do,” Lachlan retorts, tension rippling through his body, his hold on Petra’s hand tightening. She squeezes back in response, seeking comfort from the contact.
Grog tuts at Lachlan before continuing his presentation. “We have called this meeting because while Miss Rose met her conditions, the council has taken issue with her chosen partner. It seems that Miss Rose may not have taken the challenge put before her seriously and is attempting to spit in the face of tradition and lawful order.”
“That’s not true, and you know it!” Petra calls out before Lachlan can stop her. She hears him release a sigh beside her.
Grog flicks his eyes down to her, smiling, but she can see the menace in his eyes. “Now, now, Miss Rose, you will have a chance to share your side of the story shortly. Oh, I’m sorry. Should I be calling you Mrs. Grace-Rose instead?”
The gasp in the audience is palpable.Shit.
“Ah, yes. It appears our community members are as surprised as the rest of the council when you confirmed your marriage was to none other than a current council member, Mr. Lachlan Grace, council representative for the demon underworld.” Grog steps away from his position on the council bench and walks into the middle of the room, standing between them and the other council members. “I speak on behalf of the rest of the council, though perhaps not Mr. Grace in particular since he was not part of these conversations, much like we were not part of his decision to marry you,” he says, passing a dark look toward Lachlan. “You see, we find it most convenient that your new partner should be a deciding member of our council. That seems most unfair and certainly lends an air of favoritism in the decision process for Premier Witch, given, of course, that it would be your grandmother you would be replacing.”
Grog pauses, letting this information sink, allowing the audience to process what this could mean and how it creates an opportunity for corruption to enter the council process. Though little do they know it’s already here, alive and well.
Deciding he has waited long enough, he reaches his true reason for this session. “And so, my dear community, council members, and, of course, the Grace-Roses, we have come to a conundrum. The other council members and I find it distasteful that two council members should be married, for it opens up a whole coffin of concerns. We have to wonder how the council can remain impartial and duty-bound when two of its members are bound together by marriage. It is out of a true concern for the community that we have gathered everyone here today.”
May the Goddess bless him, because holy fuck is he laying it on thick.
Petra and Lachlan turn and look at each other. Lachlan’s face, where there is usually warmth and care, is nothing but coldness. His eyes are a bright gold. As her eyes wander to their clenched hands, she can see the restraint in the veins popping in his neck and clenched jaw in his effort to keep from shifting into his demon form.
“Thus, we will be opening a forum where our community members can write in or come in personally to share their opinions on the marriage of two council members. The council will take these opinions into consideration before deciding whether or not to completely accept this marriage as having met the conditions given to Petra Rose.” Grog pauses for effect, eating up the audience’s attention as they sit on the edge of their seats, waiting to hear the consequences. “To be clear, if the council decides to not accept the marriage, with the understanding that it poses a harm to future council proceedings, then Mrs. Grace-Rose will surrender her powers, and as an added consequence Mr. Grace-Rose shall be stripped of his title and position in the council.”
Petra and Lachlan simultaneously start yelling at Grog and the council in protest. At the same time, the audience responds alongside them, some encouraging the consequences and others mystified by the extreme measures. Stripping power and position is virtually unheard of and sets a dangerous precedent.
How did he get the other council members to agree to this?Lachlan said Grog can be a pain and trolls can absolutely be manipulative tricksters.Did Grog bribe them?
The room refuses to settle, causing Councilor Clellugs to end the meeting. Petra and Lachlan are forced out of the room and ported into Lachlan’s living room.
Lachlan’s shadows have appeared, pulling light from the room, creating a space so dark that Petra feels a cold creeping in.
“Lach! Lach! Where are you?” she yells, unable to see anything around her. She hears a shuffling nearby and jumps when a hand touches her arm.
“I’m here,” he says. Though his touch is gentle, she can feel the pure rage flowing off him. Her magic responds to him, rising to the surface and sparking under his touch, protecting her. His hand vanishes as she hears him suck in a breath, presumably wincing.
“What are we going to do?” she asks softly, her voice cracking. Lachlan’s shadows pull at her magic, sourcing it out, trying to leech her power. She bats a hand where she feels them connecting, but it’s like batting at empty air. “Lach, the shadows. Stop them,” she whispers.
The air in the room shifts as Lachlan leaves, taking the shadows with him.
The room suddenly fills with light. She’s alone, with no idea where he’s gone or for how long.
