Page 61 of The Warlock's Trial

“Why would anyone join them?” Grant asked in disgust.

“Because when you aren’t allowed to question them, you’re easily convinced that the ends justify the means,” Nadine answered. “Even if you did question it, the priestesses are tying people’s lives to the Chosen by providing housing, food, and healthcare through them. It would take more than a question of faith to leave. Furthermore, the priestesses have made promises the people can’t resist—the answer to salvation, as well as the promise of praise, love, and belonging. People think they will find purpose and meaning by being a part of this, and to truly be a part of this, they can’t question what they’re participating in, or they risk being cast out themselves. They believe anyone who does not join merely lacks understanding. Make no mistake, the priestesses didn’t force Meredith to leave her husband because they are of different Casts. They forced her to leave him because she joined the Chosen and he didn’t.”

“The priestesses have taken their power too far and removed any and all autonomy from their people,” Onyx said sadly.

“They may have this crowd convinced, but they’re not going to get away with controlling our friends,” Nadine insisted. “We can’t save these people right now, but we have to get Mandy and Tate out while the priestesses are still distracted. Come on.”

We left the park, and the sound of cheers faded behind us. Lilian’s house was located on a wide street full of gothic mansions with large yards. We approached from the back and slowed before we reached her house. I expected Executors to be patrolling the property, but I didn’t see a soul. The entire street was dead silent.

“We should send the cats to scout the perimeter,” I suggested. At my word, the cats took off running, slinking through the darkness like shadows.

“I can feel a ward around the house,” Nadine observed. “I can break it, but if I do, Lilian will know immediately. I’m not sure we can get in and out before we’re caught.”

“I know how we can get through without alerting her,” Chloe said. “Wards like this work to protect families, and I’m still blood. My grandmother has probably warded the house against me already, so I can’t get through myself. But if Nadine and I work together, she can manipulate the magic and we can trick the ward into letting us through safely. My grandmother will never know.”

Nadine nodded. “We should be able to pull that off.”

The cats returned. Oliver gave a confident nod, indicating it was safe to approach the house. We crept closer, until Nadine threw a hand out to stop us.

“Right here,” she said. “I can feel the ward boundary.”

Chloe stopped at her side. “Let’s get to work.”

The girls grabbed hands, then lifted their opposite palms to thin air. Magic swirled down their arms, becoming one at their joined hands. The ward began to shimmer beneath their fingers, appearing as a bubble surrounding the house.

Chloe suggested an incantation, and the girls spoke it together. “I am family; this is my home, too. Drop this ward and let us through.”

A slit appeared in the ward, pulling back like a curtain to reveal an opening.

Chloe smiled proudly. “My grandmother messed with the wrong bitch.”

“Quickly!” Nadine gestured everyone through, and we slipped past the ward with our cats. “This should stay open until we get out. Let’s hurry.”

We rushed across the lawn and through Lilian’s gardens. The archway Nadine had seen in her dream stood before us, and we had to pass under it to reach the back door. It was unlocked, and we slipped inside. I bet Lilian thought the ward was enough to keep us out. Darkness blanketed the house. The smallest bit of light from town entered the windows, casting shadows across the mahogany.

The cats scurried down the hall, barely making a noise. They stopped at a door near the kitchen and pawed at it. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, but I saw no threats as I glanced around the house.

Chloe approached the door. “The basement is this way.”

We descended a dark stairwell that creaked under our weight. I listened closely, as if expecting someone to hear us and come running. I was only met by silence. The air dropped a few degrees, making me shiver.

Chloe led us down a long hallway. The whole basement was made of stone and had various archways and doors leading in different directions. It reminded me of a dungeon, even though the rooms were probably just meant for food storage.

“Nadine saw the garden arch through the window in her dream. That means they must be in a room near the back of the house, which puts them… right here.” Chloe stopped at a heavy wooden door.

Nadine ran her fingers over the frame, assessing it for magic.

Miles’s eyes darted down the hall. “This is weird, isn’t it? There aren’t any guards. It’s too easy.”

“I’m certain my grandmother didn’t expect us to get through the ward,” Chloe said. “Even if Executors are normally around, the event in the park is too big for them to miss.”

Nadine stepped back. “Your grandmother must’ve been very confident in the ward around the house, because there aren’t any wards on this room.”

A muffled sound came from behind the door. I grabbed the handle, but it was locked. Magic drifted out from my fingers, and the lock disengaged. I threw the door open.

What I saw made my stomach twist. Mandy and Tate were huddled in the corner, their hands bound together by ropes. Duct tape covered their mouths. Their hair was matted on the top of their heads, and bruises and cuts marred their faces. Their eyes were sunken in, and they’d both dropped a considerable amount of weight.

It looked like Tate had received the worst of the torture. Burn marks scarred her arms, and her fingers bled from where the priestesses had removed fingernails.

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