“Yes. I did.”
“You do realize that is an offense punishable by fire, do you not?”
“I do,” I say, fighting to find my voice. “And I would do it again if I had to.”
The witches from the other coven’s council lean together, whispering. They don’t know the details of what happened, and I sound pretty insane and totally guilty right now.
“She admits guilt to her crime,” another Grand Master booms throughout the hall. “Per witch-law the trial is over, and her punishment shall be dealt with.”
“There were extenuating circumstances.” A witch from my council stands up. “I’d like to testify on her behalf.”
“As do I.” Evander rises, eyes set on me.
Kristy shoots up next. “As do I.”
“As do we,” Nicole and Naomi say at the same time.
“Me too,” Brooke, the young witch we helped escape through the door says, much to her mother’s chagrin. “She saved us.”
Her father stands up next, followed by the girl’s brother and then her mother. Tabatha meets my eye and gives me a small nod. She’s not allowed to testify on my behalf, but the look on her face says it all. We’ve got you, Callie.
I swallow the lump of emotion rising in my throat and watch several other witches stand, willing to testify for me.
“I’ll testify.” Ruby Darrows stands, holding her head high. She doesn’t specify if she’s testifying for or against me. My money is on against.
Albert nods and holds out his hand, pointing to Ruby. “I call you forth, Ruby Darrows. Let the council know she is a professor here at Grim Gate Academy.” Ruby sidesteps out of the pew and comes up to the altar. She goes to the podium and is given the black candle, being sworn in to tell the truth.
“Please explain the nature of your relationship with Callista Martin,” Albert orders.
“I’ve known Callista—or Callie, as we call her—since her first year here at the Academy.”
“Would you consider the two of you friends?”
“Quite the opposite, actually. Callie and I had our fair share of differences throughout the years.” She’s looking at the council next to me. “During our years at the Academy, Callie was quite the troublemaker, as she continues to be today.”
I shift my weight in the chair, sweat dripping down between my breasts. The fuck, Ruby?
“But I know without a doubt, Callie Martin would never bring harm to her coven. I testify on her behalf. I was not there that night, but I heard from the witches who were that the vampire assisted Callie and risked his own afterlife to keep demons at bay so the door could be opened.”
The other coven’s council members whisper amongst themselves.
“And tell me,” Albert goes on. “Do you believe it was absolutely necessary for the vampire to be there?”
“Like I said, I wasn’t there,” Ruby presses and I’m pretty sure Hell just froze over. She’s defending me? Maybe I do have a chance at getting out of here alive. “But from what I was told, yes. As we all know, vampires possess strength and senses we do not. The vampire was the first to realize demons were headed toward the door and alerted Callie and her familiars to assist in protecting the witches who needed to escape to the Covenstead.”
Albert speaks with the other two members of the Grand Coven and then dismisses Ruby. He calls forth Brooke next, and she clutches her mother’s hand the whole way to the altar.
“What is your name, darling?” Albert asks Brooke and crouches down to her level. His eyes are kind, unlike Ruth’s. I’m trying not to lump him in the same shit-list as Ruth. They sat on the Grand Council together, but that doesn’t mean he’s an asshat too.
“Brooke.”
“And how do you know Callie?”
“I’ve seen her at gatherings.” Brooke looks at me and I give her a small smile.
“Do you know the night Ruby was talking about?” he asks and Brooke nods. “Can you tell the council what happened?”
“It’s okay,” her mother encourages.
“We went to Callie’s house because it was safe and closer to the door than our house. We were waiting.”
“What were you waiting for?”
Brooke looks at her mom, who reminds her they were waiting for Evander to show up with backup. “Callie and her friend got there first.”
“The vampire?”
Brooke nods again. “He said he’s never had pizza.”
A few people laugh and Brooke gets embarrassed.
“How sad for him. I do love a good pizza. Now, Brooke, I know it was a scary night, but can you tell us what happened in the woods?”
“There were people. With black eyes. They tried to get into the door and Callie and her friend fought them off. They were like superheroes.”
“Did the vampire scare you? It’s all right if he did. Vampires scare me.”
A human lawyer might have considered that leading the witness. I edge forward, waiting on Brooke’s words.
“No. He was very handsome,” she says, and everyone laughs this time. She blushes. “He was funny too.”
“You never once felt frightened of him?”
She shakes her head. “Nope.”
“Thank you, Brooke. You were very helpful.”
She’s dismissed and one of the witches on the council who was with us that night gives her testimony next. It’s similar to Brooke’s but in more detail, telling everyone what happened and how hard it was to hold the circle of protection against the demons.
“I think we’ve heard enough,” Albert concedes. “The vampire played a vital role in helping the witches and wizards escape as well as fighting off the demons.” He surveys the council. “I have to say this is no ordinary case. Never in my years have I heard of a vampire joining an alliance with a witch. I have made my conclusion, and if the council agrees, I would like to move forth clearing Callista Martin of all charges.”
The two other Grand Coven members stand, dismissing the council to another room where they can discuss my fate. Nine times out of then, the jury rules in favor of the Grand Master who leads the trial, but all it will take is one witch to refuse to forgive me for associating with vampires.
And even if I am cleared, I will be risking everything by staying with Lucas, but that’s a risk I’m more than willing to take.
Because life without Lucas isn’t worth living at all.
I can feel the coven’s eyes on me, and I’m sure there are a few out there who think I was wrong to let a vampire help me. But Lucas isn’t like other vampires, not anymore at least. Folding my hands in my lap, I watch wax drip down the candles on the altar. It shouldn’t take long for the council to reach an agreement. There’s no evidence to go over, as we take our word seriously. Our words cast spells, after all.
Tabatha avoids my gaze and the feeling like she’s hiding something comes back. I focus on the dripping wax again, trying to stay calm. Another minute ticks by.
And then another.
And another.
All I can think about is the longer this takes, the more likely it means people don’t agree on my punishment.
Finally, the council comes back out with Grand Master Albert leading the way. His face is expressionless, and my heart immediately hammers in my chest.
“We have reached a decision.” He pauses for dramatic effect, which annoys me more now that it does when they do that on eliminations rounds on cheesy reality TV shows. “Callista Martin has shown great heroism toward her coven. She has proven deep devotion to protecting the sacred Covenstead and risked her very own life to ensure others live. Bringing a vampire to the door is a great offense, and we can not overlook the danger of a vampire knowing the perfect hunting spot for unsuspecting witches.”
I feel like I’m going to throw up. Lucas isn’t a danger, and I want to jump up and shout it at the entire coven. I press my nails into my palm to hide that I’m shaking.
“Many of us dream of a world full of peaceful coexistence but we must
not forget who our enemies are.”
Yep. Definitely throwing up.
“That vampire is not our enemy.”
A collective gasp whispers throughout the coven. My own jaw drops. What?
“I do not condone any witch being in the presence of any vampires. Never trust a vampire. It’s one of the first things we are taught, is it not? The charges against Callista Martin are hereby dropped.” He leans on the podium and looks at me. “Under one condition.”
I swallow hard and nod my head.
“You are not to consort with vampires ever again. If you are caught, your High Priestess will punish you as the law states.”
Chapter 21
Breathe in.
Hold it.
Breathe out.
My vision is dotted with stars. The wooden arms of the chair bites into my skin from me gripping it so hard. I’m not going to never see Lucas again. That’s not an option. At all. The threat means nothing to me because there is no way in hell I’m letting anything get between me and the man I love.
What upsets me is knowing what would happen to Tabatha if she’s caught withholding punishment. She knows Lucas isn’t just some vampire I hung out with for a while and just happened to be around when demons attacked.
She knows we’re in a committed relationship together. That we’re planning on living together as soon as the house is done.
She knows that I’m in love with him and that there is no fucking way I’m losing him.
“Callie.” Kristy hurries through the crowd of witches leaving the gathering hall and hurries up the altar steps. I’m still sitting in the chair even though I’ve been dismissed. The Grand Coven and council are gone, and Tabatha followed after them needing to do her role as High Priestess.
“Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I blink several times and stand up, smiling at my best friend. “They cleared my name. I’m not going to burn to death.”
“Yeah but they also…”
“Forbid me from seeing Lucas?”
“Yes.” Her face falls. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
“But you…Are you sure you’re okay?”
I start down the stairs. “I’m fine. Really.”
“Bottling up your emotions isn’t good.”
“I’m not bottling up anything. I’m fine. I just want to go home and be with my boyfriend now.”
“But you can’t.”
“I couldn’t before, either. It’s a stupid fucking law. How can a legal system tell me who I should or shouldn’t love? What does the fucking law fucking know about fucking love?”
Kristy loops her arm through mine. “There’s that anger I was waiting for. I agree. It’s stupid. Really stupid and old-fashioned and wrong. Vamps and witches were at war a thousand years ago and it’s time to let the past go. Hell, even the US and Germany are allies now.”
“Right? It’s just so fucking stupid and I’m going to do something about it. I just…I don’t know what I’m going to do yet.”
“Start with doing Lucas.” Her lips pull up into a half smile. “That seems to put you in a good mood.”
“It does.” We slow, not wanting to be within earshot of anyone ahead of us. “Do you think it’s wrong we’re together?”
“No, not at all. I used to think it was weird, but then I saw how much he cares for you and makes you happy. He gets you, almost as well as I do. You’ve been my best friend for fifteen years, Cal. No one will ever be good enough for you, but Lucas…he comes pretty close to checking all the boxes. I do have to take a few points away because he can’t take you to Disney World. I know how much you love Splash Mountain.”
“We could always go at night.”
“Good point. I’ll give him some points back then.”
I rest my head against hers. “Thank you for being my best friend. Has it really been fifteen years? We’re getting so old.”
“Tell me about it. Though you don’t look like you’ve aged a day since your last birthday.”
“I’m telling you, it’s all the wine I drink. And probably the exercising. I do run a lot. Not lately, though. It’s too fucking hot outside.”
It’s late and I’m tired, feeling the strain on my emotions from the trial. Meeting at the witching hour is typical for us even though most of the members of the coven hold regular jobs with daytime hours.
“Who’s opening tomorrow?” I ask as we step behind another group of witches to step through the door.
“Me,” Kristy groans.
“I’m off probation now. I can come back to work.”
“I kind of gave all your shifts to Dani, the new girl, for the rest of the summer. It was the only way I could get a temporary replacement. She wanted hours so she’d have as much money as possible before leaving for college this fall. Stay home, day drink and enjoy your sugar daddy.”
“Oh, I plan to.” We step through the door and I’m greeted by my familiars.
“Your plan to get four-wheelers to ride to your house isn’t a bad one,” Kirsty says after we’ve hiked half a mile through the woods.
“Right? Once the temps drop, we’ll be saying that even more.”
“You’ll be even farther from the door when you get into the new house, won’t you?” she asks.
“Yeah, so I really will need to invest in a four-wheeler or a team of horses.”
“Ohhh, get horses! You know how much I love them.”
“I already causally mentioned to Lucas that having horses would be cool, so don’t be surprised when he builds me a barn.”
“I’m trying really hard not to be jealous, but I’m a little jealous,” Kristy laughs.
“Don’t be. I can be your sugar-friend, mooching off her own sugar daddy.”
“I like the sound of that.” We keep walking through the woods until we get to my house. Kristy usually parks here and walks through the woods with me instead of going through the forest the way most of the other witches do, who are coming from town.
“Be careful, Callie. I can’t…I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t,” I promise. “Lucas and I have always been forbidden, so it’s like nothing changed. But what I do want to know…” I let out a breath and feel a chill come over me. “Is how Ruth found out about us in the first place. Tabatha never mentioned Lucas when she told the Grand Coven about that night.”
“You’re right. I wonder how she knew.”
“Someone had to have tipped her off. But I don’t know why. I’m not really that involved in the coven, and Lucas—”
“What?”
“The vampire bounty hunters. They knew we were together too.”
“You don’t think Ruth was working with them, do you?”
“No, or at least probably not. It doesn’t really make sense. The only reason she brought up the vampire stuff was to blackmail me into getting her onto Satan’s good side.” I let out a breath. “I’m too tired to think about this and I slept in this morning.”
“Go inside, enjoy your naked vampire, and rest. But please, Callie, be careful.”
I’m on my second glass of wine when Lucas pulls into the driveway. He parks his black Mercedes in the driveway and gets out, moving with vampire speed up to the front porch.
“What’s that smell?” he asks, making a face.
“Lavender, lemon, and eucalyptus oil.” I motion to the diffuser I have on the porch next to me. “It keeps mosquitoes away. You don’t like it?”
“It’s very strong.”
I look into my wine glass for bugs. I don’t see any, and I’m getting tipsy enough not to care as long as I drink them down fast enough. Finishing the last bit of wine, I set my glass down and get up. “Who has a stronger sense of smell: a vampire or a German Shepherd.”
“The dog, thankfully.”
“Really?”
“Yes, though really, I’m glad. The world smells enough as it is.”
“True, and I’m glad too because I do human thin
gs in the bathroom occasionally.”
Lucas laughs. “I know you’re alive, my love.” He picks me up and kisses me, pressing my back against the front door. I called him when the trial was over, letting him know to come over and not to worry about finding BBQ Callie in the yard. Then I hung up and started drinking away my problems.
It’s a terrible coping mechanism, and one that I started way too young. We all have our vices, and I know this will catch up to me sooner or later.
“How drunk do I have to be for you to get drunk too?” I ask between kisses.
“It depends.” Lucas draws his fangs and grazes them over my flesh.
“On what?”
“On how much I take from you.” He stops kissing me and looks in my eyes. “I won’t take too much. I love you, Callie Martin, and I will never hurt you.”
“Anne.”
“Anne?”
“It’s my middle name. Callista Anne Martin.”
“Martin is your father’s last name.”
“I know.” I feel like I weigh nothing at all as Lucas easily holds me up. “But it’s mine too.”
“For now.” Lucas doesn’t give me a second to think. He kisses me hard again, tongue entering my mouth. Heat rushes through me and I don’t have time to process what he just said.
“Let’s go inside.” I grab the hem of his shirt and inch it up. No one from the coven has reason to go by my house tonight, and it’s far enough away from the road it would be impossible to sense that Lucas was a vampire even if someone did drive by. Still…fuck. I hate this.
Moving with vampire speed, Lucas carries me in and lays me down on the couch. I curl my legs up around him and we go right back to where we left off.
“I should…” I start, trailing off as Lucas bunches up my dress. “Put an extra—ohhh.” He slides his hand up my thigh and sweeps his fingers over my clit. “Wa..warding on…on…the house.”
“Are you expecting more demons?” His fingers slip under my panties. “I’ll kill them just for interrupting us.”
“Not demons, but witches.”
Lucas stops stroking me. “Why are you warding against witches?”
My eyes fall shut and suddenly I can’t breathe. Lucas moves off of me and I get up, going into the kitchen for more wine.
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