Page 12 of Traitor Witch
The Goddess has called Glenna home.
Two high priestesses have been killed within twelve hours, and I’m the only witness. My brain freezes as the possibilities start to filter in past my grief.
If the Solars believe I killed Felicity, this will only confirm it. If my Lunar sisters defend me, there will be war between the two covens.
War neither of us want. War which would devastate Coveton.
And that's only if the Lunars believe me over the damning evidence. If they don’t, I’ll be hunted by both.
My only chance at redemption is to exact vengeance for Glenna and Felicity and hope that, in doing so, I manage to clear my name.
“I’ll find them, I swear,” I promise Glenna’s body, scooping up the golden ring and shoving it into my pocket. As an afterthought I grab the dagger, examining the blade for any sign of who might have made it.
It’s Glenna’s own ritual athame, the black handle carved and inlaid with silver and moonstones.
The doors burst open, slamming against the walls with the force.
“Mother Lunar, you must come—” Danika and Ophelia skid to a stop as soon as they cross the threshold. There’s a moment where I realise how it must look, me crouched over the body of our dead Priestess, dagger in hand.
The weapon clatters to the floor, but the damage is done.
“Nilsa!” Ophelia looks horrified. “Sweet Lady Moonlight, why—?”
“I didn’t!” I protest, but she’s already turning on her heel and sprinting away in tears. I turn my attention to theremaining witch. “Danika, you know me. You know I would never…”
But Danika doesn’t look so sure. She’s backing away, sigils already glowing with defensive power.
“I want to believe you, Nilsa, but you have to admit, this looks bad.”
I can’t believe this. We were raised together; we learned hexes side by side when we were just ten years old. We even met our familiars together.
“Glenna said we were betrayed. I would never kill a servant of either Goddess. You have to believe me.”
Danika shakes her head. “…I’m not sure what to think.” She pauses, looks down. “You’re the Shadow, Nilsa…”
How can she even consider this? “I serve the Goddess!”
“I know that!” she snaps, then her anger falls away into despair. “I’m just telling you what this looks like. If someone’s set you up, you’re the perfect person to frame. No one will question a fucking assassin killing people.”
“I’m innocent and I’ll prove it.”
Yells start to echo from within the temple. The clatter of footsteps drifts closer.
“And I’ll help you if you need it,” Danika swears. “But for now, let things die down. Do you have somewhere to hide?”
I nod, my mind drifting back to the Seer’s words as the sound of pursuit draws closer.
“I’ll send word when I have a lead.” I grab Opal, who hisses in indignation, and turn to leave.
Danika’s hand on my arm stops me. She stoops, grabs the athame that killed Glenna, and presses it back into my hand.
“Stay safe.” Her bottom lip wobbles. “May the Lady bless Her Shadow and guide your blade true.”
A lump forms in my throat. “If you can talk to Ophelia…”
The other witch has always been a bit highly strung, but we have the same history together as I do with Danika. Allthree of us have been together since we were old enough to learn magic.
Danika moves back towards the doors.
