Page 133 of Her Blood Revenge

‘What’s she doing?’ Archie demands, stepping between us.

‘There’s a surge in water magic,’ the pregnant water witch says to her coven leader. ‘I’m… I’m being drained.’

‘Drained? What does that mean?’ I ask.

Archie holds his hand out across my stomach, blocking my way as I go to help her. As if I may get hurt simply by getting too close.

‘Are you a member of a coven? A water coven?’ he demands.

‘What business is that of yours?’ the coven leader snaps.

‘Did you perform your blood rite and speak your words of devotion to your coven?’ he asks angrily.

She nods. Arch turns to me.

‘Her coven is performing a spell. One of great power that requires a huge dose of magic. They are drawing on the collective power of the entire coven. On any who have added their blood to the fire under the blood moon.’ He steps back as if she could explode at any moment, guiding me away from her. ‘Spells like that are forbidden.’

‘They were when the human king was in charge. The prince is in charge now,’ I remind him. I look at the struggling witch. ‘Does today mark any kind of festival or celebration for your coven?’ I ask.

I wish I paid more attention when the elders spoke about such things.

‘N-no,’ she says. ‘The celebration of Lir is in three months.’

‘Neve?’ Archie asks, looking down at me.

‘Without a doubt. But if there’s noevent to boost whatever she is doing, then why attack a water coven? What other celebration is there?’

A hand grips my shoulder. Archie grabs Thalia’s wrist, threatening to break it. She doesn’t even look at him but watches me and tries to speak.

‘Aeeettiiiiiioooo!’

‘What?’

She grimaces in sheer frustration and repeats the word. But I still don’t understand it. She yanks her hand free and writes in the dirt.

Athir!

‘His celebration was two nights ago,’ Archie replies. Didn’t you hear? Your coven was slaughtered.’ He scoffs as if happy to spit those words at her. But side-glances me as his words deliver a punch to my gut, too. ‘Sorry, Pix. Old habit. Making witches miserable and all that.’

‘You’re a prick.’

‘I’m aware. But the fact is that Athir’s celebration was two nights ago, Pix.’ He scratches his head. ‘There’s no other coven celebration for a couple of months.’

Thalia gets my attention and writes.

Summer ends the first night of the celebration.

She points upwards again, this time at the constellation to the right of it.

Two days later. Winter begins.

‘Shit…’ I hiss. How could I be so stupid? ‘It’s a two day celebration. The first night is the end of summer. Tonight is the start of the winter solstice. The night the coven all… you know.’

‘Fuck like rabbits?’ Archie offers.

‘Precisely. It’s another boost of power.’

‘Where is the otherearth coven?’ I ask. He doesn’t reply, so I look at the others. ‘How far is the earth coven from here?’

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