Page 56 of Rites of Passage

“Hear, hear,” Gerard said disparagingly.

Troubled murmurs broke out across the ballroom. From Bryony and Barbara’s bitter expressions, it appeared Karin’s assertion was correct. A frustrated scowl twisted April’s brow.

Regina addressed the High Council. “Still, you should at least listen to what April has to say. I’m certain she has a valid reason for her request.”

Karin shot the Las Vegas coven witch a scathing look. “No one asked for your opinion, Regina. So, why don’t you do us all a favor and keep your thoughts to yourself?”

A muted, red wave pulsed across the ballroom. Several sorcerers and witches looked around, puzzled. The group at the center of the confrontation didn’t notice.

Nikolai eyed Mae warily. She was rigid but for the muscle jumping in her jawline.She’s pissed.

Alastair concurred with a soft squawk. The tense glance Vlad flashed his way told him the incubus had arrived at the same conclusion.

Outrage darkened Regina’s face. She surged forward, gold sparking in her eyes and those of the black jackrabbit at her side. Bryony and Barbara startled as a sphere of orange magic exploded in Karin’s hand.

“Mother, no!” Erik grabbed Regina’s shoulder and yanked her back, the rottweiler at his side picking up her irate hare by the scruff.

“Stop!” Bryony barked at Karin.

“Wait.” The young, dark-haired witch Nikolai suspected was Raven Quinn reached for Karin’s shoulder, her face tight. “This is going too—”

Karin shrugged her off and launched the shimmering spell bomb at Erik and Regina, her mouth a hateful sneer.

Crimson magic detonated across the ballroom.

Nikolai gasped as he was shoved back several steps. Alastair screeched, alarmed.

Devourexploded into life and swallowed Karin’s attack five feet from its targets.

Nikolai stared, his heart in his throat. He glanced dazedly at Mae.

Did she just incant that spell with her mind?!

Mae lifted her arm and flexed her fingers, expression furious. Scarlet lines forked out fromDevour. They doused the magic lighting up the fingertips of the three High Council members, leaving red wheals in their wake. The trio gasped and clutched their hands.

“I’m sorry,” Mae said icily. “Did that hurt?”

She snapped her fingers.Devourvanished as seamlessly as it had appeared. The crowd parted hastily as she crossed the floor, the click-clack of her stilettos the only sound breaking the shocked silence.

Karin recovered first. “Know your place, witch! You have no right to interfere in this matter!” Her eyes shrank to slits. “Just who the hell do you think you are?!”

Gasps rippled the air as the witch’s angry words reverberated around the ballroom. Ephra shot Karin a nervous look. So did Gerard.

Raven grimaced and sneaked a peek at Mae.

Mae’s eyes had gone dead. Hellreaver hummed menacingly against her chest, a crimson aura enveloping the medallion. Brimstone’s hackles rose. The fox growled, the sound too loud for his body.

“Fuck,” Nikolai mumbled.

“You said it,” Vlad muttered.

“We should step back a bit,” Bryony advised Barbara and the others hastily.

“Why?” Regina scowled. “What’s the—? Oh.” Her expression turned glassy when she saw Mae’s face. “Yeah, let’s do that!”

Raven retreated to a safe distance. Confusion clouded Ephra and Gerard’s faces. Karin jutted her chin out defiantly.

Mae put her hands on her hips and looked at the floor. A giggle left her.

---