Page 83 of The Witch and The Blood Oath

“Twenty,” Elle said.

“You could’ve ditched your parents,” I said. “Twenty is plenty old enough.”

I wasn’t sure why I said it. Most witches lived with their families all their lives, which was what I had planned to do.

“I could’ve,” Elle admitted. She grew quieter. “I should’ve. They would still be alive if it weren’t for me.”

Cady took Elle’s hand and squeezed it gently.

“Losing people never gets easier,” Cadence said. “My mom died when I was young, and my dad, well, it feels like I’ve lost him fifty times.”

The conversation stalled.

“Freya’s lost people too,” Cady added with a pointed look in my direction.

I scowled. I was not in the mood to swap sob stories with the chimera.

“You don’t have to tell me,” Elle promised.

“Oh, trust me.” I picked up the pace. “I won’t.”

“May I, however, ask,” Elle said, “why you’re here for me?”

“The High Witch and apparently all the Leaders want you in their custody,” I said dully.

“I know,” Elle said. “That’s not what I meant. Why did she sendyou?You and Walker and Cady and…and Ryder.”

“And Arion,” I added. My familiar rubbed against my leg.

“C’mon, Freya,” Cady said. “She deserves an answer.”

“I don’t think that’s really a norm for hostages,” I countered, but guilt took the bite out of my words.

No matter what I threw at Elle, she refused to be rude. Whether it was all a façade to worm her way under my skin or not, I had to admire her resolve. I sighed.

“I did something that displeased the High Witch,” I admitted. “In order to regain her good graces, I must apprehend you.”

“She saved my brother,” Cady clarified.

Elle nodded. “So you will do what she says or she’ll kill you and all those you love.”

I nodded. This was why I hadn’t wished to talk about this—it was such an ugly truth.

“My mother always put the coven first,” I continued. “I will do the same.”

“I don’t begrudge you for that,” Elle said. “Love is the greatest motivator of all.”

Though I would never admit to something so cheesy, I couldn’t argue with the sentiment, nor could I deny there was a certain strength in Elle’s vulnerability. Despite my best efforts to harden my heart, I found myself curious about her.

“Why does the High Witch want you?” I asked. I cleared my throat. “Your magic is not particularly impressive.”

Elle smiled softly. My rudeness only amused her. “My magic is on a lockdown of sorts. To try to keep me off the High Witch’s radar, my parents barricaded it from my use until my twenty-first birthday.”

Worry gnawed at my insides.

If her magic is on lockdown, how did she spell Ryder?

Elle was lying. It was the only thing that made sense. Otherwise, I had betrayed one of my dearest friends.

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