The Council

by BooksGoSocial Fantasy

  I nod. The deal sounds good at surface level, but I wonder again how much I can trust her—and The Council in general.

  I move to stand up when I freeze as a new concern rises. “What are you going to do about Crowe?” I ask. “He could’ve hurt me today by attacking me in that manner.”

  “I’m not going to do anything,” she says.

  I scrunch my face. “Really?” These witches are savages.

  “I’m sure he was just doing what he felt to be best for the moment. I’ll certainly have a talk with him about it, but as far as punishment goes, I don’t think it’s necessary.”

  I open my mouth, lifting my arm to bear the cut on my arm when I drop it, remembering that Callista healed it over almost completely with her healing spell. “What, am I just bear meat now? He can do what he wants? Hurt me in any manner he sees fit, and that’s considered training?” I already regret deciding to take her up on her offer. If this is run-of-the-mill events in the Grove, it’s already apparent I made a mistake.

  “No, of course not. There are boundaries, but things seem worse than they really are because you have no threshold to compare it to. Let’s face it, Lilith. You need to be toughened up some, and Crowe is perfect to do that. He’s excited to take you under his wing, and he’s new to having an apprentice so he’s bound to make mistakes too. Before you doubt him, just keep in mind the fact that he taught himself how to use his powers. That’s an accomplishment for someone with as rare of an ability as he has.”

  “Yeah,” I exhale slowly, feeling the defeat creep in. I’m trapped between a rock and a hard place. I’m not allowed to leave The Council yet I feel that staying will very much put my life in danger. I stare at her for a long moment, wanting to voice my concerns, when I dismiss the idea. So far, she’s found a way to overlook every possible worry I’ve had.

  “Well, if anyone can help you unlock your potential, it’s him. Only a few hours together, and he managed to get you to somehow unlock your pyrokinetic powers. Love him or hate him, you have to thank him for that. People think Crowe was born in the wrong Coven—I think you can appreciate what that feels like.”

  Much the way you were.

  I scrunch my eyes as the whispering thought floats through my mind from The Sage. Her lips stay shut as the words are uttered, and I can’t ignore the fact I’m listening to her mind. I open my mouth, ready to call her out on it when I stop myself. She doesn’t know that I can hear her which means this is a power I can ultimately use to my advantage. I stare at her, flashing back to Iris’ words.

  Deny it all you want but you wonder about your leg. I know you do. You’re too smart to believe their lies.

  What Coven was I supposed to be born into? Does it have anything to do with my past, with the information my parents have tripped over themselves to keep hidden from me? I run my hand across my face to hide the emotion in my eyes. I can’t help but wonder about the truth of my accident—the truth my parents strived to keep hidden for so long.

  Does the Sage know more about me than she says?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Settling In

  I DIP MY head in acceptance of her deal, uncertain of what else I can do at this point. I can still force her into performing the Witch’s Deal, but I don’t see much use in it. She’ll get her way with or without it, I’m sure. She watches me through careful eyes, and I wonder if she’s observing every thought in my mind. With the blank expression it’s hard to tell what she’s thinking but part of me is relieved my outburst didn’t bother her—I’m sure there’ll be more in the future.

  As the chair scoots out behind me, I have an odd moment where I’m grateful that she’s willing to listen…despite her pushing away my concerns. Even if she is a bit manipulative, The Sage has shown me more kindness than the rest of The Council combined. Thoughts of Rayna, Tarj, and Crowe are enough to put a frown on my face that I just barely manage to keep at bay with the thought of seeing Helena and Clio again.

  I turn to go back down the dark corridor and in the Common Room, I bump into Crowe. The sight of him makes my shoulders tense, but I stop beside him, waiting for any comments he decides to launch my way. His eyes focus on the colorful earring embedded in my skin before he lets out a sigh of relief, tipping his head to the side.

  “What did she say?” he asks, genuine wonder in his voice.

  “She said I can go to Ignis,” I reply, jutting out my chin as I meet his gaze.

  “You’re not done here then?” he inquires, shifting his weight.

  I puff my cheeks and clench my teeth at the question. “No, I have to stay and train—part of the deal.”

  “Good. I was nervous I would lose my first apprentice so soon!”

  That’s all you care about, huh? I start to hobble past him, losing my patience to deal with him when his voice stops me.

  “I wanted to say I’m sorry for earlier. I don’t know what came over me, but it wasn’t right.”

  “For which part? Shoving me to the dirt or for changing into a monster that could’ve ripped me limb for limb?” I round on him.

  “Both,” he says, reaching up to scratch at the nape of his neck. “When I was first brought here, the training was hard on me. They did everything in the book they could think of—burning me, freezing me, leaving me in the elements—anything they thought could help me get a handle on my magic. I hated it at first, but then I realized it was the severity of the training that actually helped me control myself. I wanted to do the same for you, but it was too soon, and again, I’m so sorry for it.”

  That still doesn’t explain your fit after I met Thorn and Callista. I tilt my head to the side but I let the bubbling anger subside. Maybe that one was my fault.

  I purse my lips at the comment. I know it’s his way of trying to make peace—and the voice in the back of my mind urges me to jump on the opportunity since I’ll be stuck with him during my time in the Grove—while the other half remains uncertain. He’s unstable, hard to track his mood, and I don’t know how much worse training with him will be.

  That’s why you should apologize. A voice floats through my mind that’s not my own, and I glance around, eyebrows drawn tight in search of the source. Crowe and I are the only ones in the Common Room so I push it away, before I drive myself crazy, and shake my head.

  I lift a hand to stop his frantic ramblings. “Save it. Some good came out of it,” I reply in a tone colder than intended. “Nothing crazy in the future, please.”

  “I can agree to that,” Crowe says, shoulders sagging in relief.

  I blink at him, breathing through my nose as I ask, “What now?”

  Crowe glances at the clock behind him. “I think it’s close to dinner time actually.”

  My stomach grumbles at the mention of food. I move past him on my way to the hallway perpendicular to the grand archway—the one I assume leads to the kitchen based on the scents of food that have drifted out to the Common Room.

  Crowe’s right on my heels as he asks, “Where are you going?”

  “It’s time to eat, right?” I question and another rumble erupts in my stomach. The thought of a solid meal might be enough to salvage the disaster that this day has become.

  “Yes, and you’ll love dinner here,” Crowe assures me. “One of the benefits of being on The Council is the array of meals we’re always guaranteed.”

  I only half-acknowledge him as I make my way into a grand dining room. A long buffet table is spread out in the center, piled with food and lots of silver dishes. Blankets of each Coven color hang around the room like banners, covering the large portions of glass on one of the walls. At the table are a few members already, including Rayna and the blonde girl I had seen in the Common Room. I’ve yet to see The Council member from the Healers’ Coven, and idly I wonder who he is. Another quick glance assures me that Tarj is missing from the meal as well. Wanting to skip introductions at the moment, I move to sit at the end of the table that’s the least crowded and reach for a small roll. Crowe sits be
side me, watching me with a curious expression.

  “You’ll want to eat more than that,” he murmurs and picks up a fork to spear a nearby steak, dragging it onto his plate for emphasis.

  I glance at him from the corner of my eye. “I’m not very hungry, my stomach’s in knots.” I lie and bite into the roll.

  Crowe purses his lips but doesn’t comment on it as he begins to wolf down his steak in almost an animalistic manner. I smirk in triumph, thinking his animal traits carry over to his human form as I nibble on the roll, eyes on my plate to avoid the gazes of the other Council members. I’m sure part of the point of this meal—or at least the reason The Sage insisted I come—is to meet them, but that’s the last thing on my mind after the day I’ve had. I’m focused on myself for the moment, more concerned with meeting my biological functions such as sleeping and eating than the strongest members of both Aens and the Healer Coven.

  I’m gonna have so much to tell Clio and Helena as it is.

  The thought of getting to return to Ignis in the morning sends a flutter of anxiety to the pit of my stomach. The bite of food I had taken sticks in my throat, and I cough loudly, dislodging it before it turns into a full-on choking hazard. Crowe hands me a goblet of punch as he swallows his own bite of food, and I’m quick to down it, breathing roughly once it’s cleared.

  “Thank you,” I murmur, glancing around to hide my embarrassment and set the cup down. “Where’s The Sage?”

  “She doesn’t eat with us,” Crowe replies, slicing another hunk off the meat on his plate. “She has her meals served to her room. Basically, the only time you’ll see her is if you’re requested by her personally. Otherwise, she’s practically a ghost.”

  “Oh,” I reply, unsure why I feel surprised.

  I hide the emotion by scooping various spoonfuls of food onto my plate, trying each one. The pains in my stomach begin to loosen as I fill up, and I start to relax despite the part of me that feels uncomfortable.

  Rayna wipes her mouth with a napkin before she gets up to cross the dining room. My heart pounds quicker in my chest, and I know she’s going to approach me. I close my eyes for a long moment, wishing she would walk right past but luck is never in my favor. I feel her hand on my shoulder, and I open my eyes to glance up at her.

  “Hey, Lilith. How did training go today?” she asks.

  I scoff and smack her hand away. Her holding me down at the Dedication Ceremony hasn’t left my mind, and I chew on my lip, feeling fresh rage appear in the place it had inhabited before dinner. I tap my fingers on the table for a few awkward moments, feeling her gaze scorch me as she waits for an answer I’m determined not to give.

  Crowe finally looks up, grabbing her arm to pull her toward him. “She’s had a rough day, Rayna. Give her some time to decompress and I’m sure things will be better in the morning.”

  “Right,” she agrees before glancing at me with a smile that I have a feeling is fake. “Sweet dreams, Lilith. I’ll speak with you tomorrow.”

  “Whatever,” I grumble under my breath, taking a sip of the last of the liquid in my goblet before a new concern arises. I set down the cup and turn to Crowe. “Where am I going to sleep?”

  “For now, you’ll share a room with Tarj while The Council works to get your room in order,” he replies, setting down his silverware. “I know it’s not the most comfortable of arrangements, but it’ll last one day, two tops.”

  The thought of once again sharing living space with someone is a new damper to my mood. It’s become a new theme in my life over the course of the past week. In the back of my mind, I wonder if I’ll ever have space to myself again.

  “Of course. Just lead the way,” I finally mutter, feeling a wave of exhaustion crash over me that gets rid of the desire to argue.

  Crowe falls silent and slips a hand through his red hair. He glances at me as we reach the opening of the corridor leading back to the front of the building.

  “If things are too weird between you and Tarj, you’re more than welcome to crash with me for tonight,” he offers. “Or even Rayna…though I know she’s not your favorite person right now.”

  I bite my lip to hold in my laughter. All my potential choices sound like more of a punishment than my forced Dedication had been. Crowe stares at me through curious eyes, and I’m glad he can’t read my mind as I clear the emotion off my face, offering him a curt nod. Ridiculous as they are, it’s still nice to have options.

  I follow behind him, through the Common Room, past the garden, and toward a set of buildings hidden among the vast foliage of the Grove. Before today, I never realized the extent of the luxury that The Council lived in. Compared to the simple homes of the people of Ignis, it almost comes as a slap in the face—but then again, so has this entire experience.

  Five doors line the buildings, each one with a different strip of color. Crowe knocks on the door with a red band, and I recognize Ignis’ symbolic color.

  “Come in!” Tarj’s voice calls from inside.

  Crowe opens the door, and I’m right behind him. Tarj dips his head in greeting as we stand in the doorframe before his gaze darts back to Crowe, the question in his eyes.

  “Lilith was wondering about sleeping arrangements,” Crowe explains.

  “The Sage already went over it with me. I’ll handle it from here,” Tarj replies with a dismissive wave of his hand.

  Crowe nods and turns away. “See you tomorrow, Lilith. Good luck in Ignis.”

  Once I hear the click of the door, my eyes focus on Tarj as he stands up from his bed. “So, what’s happening in Ignis tomorrow?”

  “The Sage is letting me go back…to say goodbye because she didn’t give me the chance before I was marked.” I display my earring, once again in the most sarcastic manner possible.

  Tarj breaths in through his nose before he lets a hint of a smile grace his lips. “Well, it’ll be good for you to tie up loose ends.”

  “You’re from Ignis. Don’t you miss it? Everything’s so different here…too different,” I admit, staring down at my hands.

  “Of course I miss it, but I’ve made this my home now. The same way you have to.”

  I gnaw on the inside of my cheek at the idea of everyone feeding me subtle hints of orders every time I try to open up. Are none of them capable of understanding?

  “Well, there’s not much room here, as you can see, but it’s comfortable,” Tarj continues, scratching his chin.

  My gaze darts around the room, taking it all in. Red blankets are hung up like the ones in the dining hall along with a shelf covering the wall opposite the bed, covered in various knickknacks from Ignis. The room itself is warmer than the Grove—a detail I didn’t notice until this moment.

  For the first time in the length of the entire day, I feel comfortable.

  “You can sleep here.” He gestures to the bed behind him. “I’ll take the cot by the window.”

  I don’t argue as I limp over to the bed, sitting down among with sheets with a heavy sense of relief. I’ve been on my feet too long and the muscles in my damaged limb scream at me to stop and rest, so I’m glad for the opportunity to do so. It’s an order I want to follow with all my heart, but at the same time, I’m determined not to show a weakness in the face of these people who I’m still not sure if they’re friend or foe.

  I hesitate taking off my cloak, clasping my hands in my lap instead, Clio’s words from the night I stayed over his house ringing in my mind. Tarj strolls over to his dresser, pulling out a night shirt that he tosses to me as if he can read my thoughts on my face.

  “This should be more comfortable for you. The Sage got it custom made for your size,” he informs me.

  I nod and let my cloak drop finally as he turns his back to me. I struggle out of my dress and put the night clothes on before lying down, feeling my body sink into the softness of the mattress.

  “Comfortable?” Tarj inquires and adjusts the sheets of his cot, sending a glance over his shoulder at me.

  “Yes, tha
nk you,” I reply.

  “You’re welcome,” Tarj replies, plopping down into his new bed. His eyes stare out the window and he sets his head to his pillow, tucking his legs under him in the space illuminated by the moonlight outside.

  I try to get comfortable for a moment, echoes of relief in my joints at the chance to rest.

  “So…are we gonna talk about Willow again? Or are you gonna pretend you weren’t about to tell me that story?”

  Tarj tenses, pulling his blanket up a little higher as his eyes shift back to the window.

  I huff at his reaction. “I guess that’s a no. All right.” A frown creases my face and I shuffle in the bed, staring hopelessly at the darkened ceiling far above me. I’ve never been good at making friends but here it seems to be a swing and miss every time.

  Tarj runs a hand across his face. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you…it’s more like I shouldn’t do it.”

  “But why?”

  “Her story has been mostly forgotten in the Covens. The last thing we want to do is to pry the wound open again. It’s nothing against you, really, it’s just a piece of our history that we want buried.”

  “Why?” I demand, sitting up a bit to see him in the shadows. “Why was she really executed?”

  “There are some things that are better off living out of the range of common knowledge.” The tone of his voice makes it apparent he won’t go more in depth than that.

  “Fair enough,” I reply, feeling unsatisfied with his answer, like most responses I’ve received throughout the day. If there’s one thing I’ve come to expect in my time on the Grove, it’s short answers or evasive ones.

  It’s torture to keep thoughts of Willow in my mind knowing the people around me will be unwilling to answer my stinging questions. I let Ignis fill my brain instead to try to distract myself from her. Turning my attention to more prominent problems, I reach a hand up to poke at the earring in my ear again, pulling against the colorful gem. Is it possible to get out of my deal with The Sage?