Page 80 of Eclipsed Heart

The little bit I thought I’d known crumbled away. How were you supposed to fight your enemies when they lived among you and you didn’t even know their faces?

“I’m telling you, she wouldn’t have done that without a reason.” River placed a hand over her heart. “Her husband died that same day, leaving behind their ten-year-old daughter.”

Spiraling wouldn’t accomplish anything. I needed to focus. We had a lead, and she was alive, which meant there was still a chance for answers. This time, I’d be a little more wary. If Lynerd was involved, then he’d make sure we didn’t get any.

“Please don’t share this information with anyone else,” I pleaded, glancing from Dina to River. “I don’t want anyone to warn Sybil and have something happen.”

“Of course, My Queen.” Dina bowed her head.

River cupped her hands. “I won’t betray you. You’re our ruler just as much as you are the shifters’ queen. But please keep in mind that Sybil is innocent.”

I had no qualms about Sybil, but at least now I understood why she’d been so curious about me when I’d met her at Lynerd’s house. She must have sensed her mother’s magic. If anything, Lynerd was the person who’d had Salem work against my parents. “I promise to keep an open mind.”

“Thank you.” River sighed. “Well, if that’s what you needed, I should get back to the coven immediately.”

“If there is ever anything I can do for you, please let me know.” The fact that she’d come here when things were so turbulent meant a lot. “I appreciate you being here to help me.”

“It was an honor, my child.” She grinned and headed to the front door. “And I hope that one day soon, we can visit so I can tell you all the stories I remember about your father.”

My cheeks hurt from the grin I couldn’t hold back, surprising me. I couldn’t believe I was smiling at a moment like this, but I really liked that thought. “I’d love that.”

“Great.”

Dina followed River while I turned to look at Bodey, Samuel, and Stevie. Our body language mirrored one another. Tense, strained, and unyielding.

“We need to get Jack, Lucas, Miles, and the former advisors here.” Samuel lifted a brow.

He was right. I linked, requesting their presence, and began to pace in front of the couch, unable to stay still. There were countless burning questions, and we needed to wait for the others to get here before we discussed strategy.

But I did have some questions that the others would know the answers to. “Every time we deal with witches, they’re always women. I hadn’t thought about them being married and having children, but clearly, they do. Are there male witches too?” Zeke had kept us away from witches my entire life, and I had no clue how their lives worked.

“Like shifters, witches have male and female children, but the males don’t typically harness magic.” Bodey bit his lip. “Since we shield humans from our existence, witches typically marry men from other covens—or sometimes from the same coven if it’s large enough. Some witches have fallen in love with shifters or humans because of how closely they interact, but a child never results from the union. The witch’s magic dies with her and isn’t passed on, which is detrimental to the coven. They have annual gatherings where the women meet the men, and that’s when a lot of them find their lovers. That’s probably what happened with Salem. The couple decides which coven they’ll join once they’re united.”

I hadn’t ventured far into Bodey’s neighborhood, so I hadn’t been to the witches’ homes. I’d seen none of the men. I realized I needed to get to know all of them better, not just those who had magic. If I was supposed to protect the witches, that extended to the men.

The front door opened, and Miles, Jack, Lucas, Phil, Dan, and Carl hurried in. They stood in the hallway, looking on edge.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Jack hurried over to my sister. “Did you learn anything?”

“We learned where we need to go.” I didn’t want to explain until Michael got here.

Even as I thought it, Bodey hurried to the sliding back door where Michael stood, waiting to come in.

Thank gods, we were all here.

When Michael entered, he brought the scent of the spring air and rain from the drizzle outside. “Sorry, I was out running.”

“No worries.” I smiled even though it was forced.

Then we filled them all in.

The seven of them wore varying expressions of concern. Michael ran a hand down his face. “Lynerd. Gods. He was so young and angry. But they said your parents died in an explosion. A freak accident.”

“People can make things appear like an accident.” Miles scowled. “Especially with a witch who can alter people's minds.”

“We can sit here and talk about it all day.” Samuel crossed his arms. “But it would be better if we went there and got answers.”

He was right.

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