Page 10 of The Witch and His Crow

‘That’s a lot of words for what you’d think would be such a simple answer.’

His smile faltered for a beat, which made mine widen.

‘Then allow me to remind you. My name is Jonathan Bailey. I was your mother’s closest advisor and have since become acting-Grand High since her… untimely death.’

I would give it to him, he looked genuinely pained to say those last words aloud. His gaze dropped to the floor, his long fingers picking at the loose hem of his waistcoat.

‘Jonathan Bailey,’ I repeated, ‘Ihaveheard about you.’

Of course I had. Caym had warned me about him, making sure I kept far out of his line of sight, just as my mother had requested.

His head snapped back up, eyes meeting mine once again. ‘I suppose Heather mentioned me?—’

‘No, my mother never spoke of you. In fact, she never discussed much about the Coven besides her wish for me to stayas far away from you as possible. Which, as fate has decided, has clearly not gone very well.’

Her last words rang out in my mind.Protect him. Keep my son from them. Allies and foes…

And yet here I was, stuck in their web despite my best efforts, my thumb throbbing from the blood that was taken from me upon arrival, before the same witch saw to healing my wounds.

Clearly, my answer was not what Jonathan was hoping to hear. Before he spoke again, he paced to the other side of the table and took a seat. I cringed as the metal chair was dragged over stone, and more so from the stale scent that oozed from him.

‘I am sure you understand the need for precautions.’ Jonathan’s endless eyes lingered on the rope around my wrists. ‘Hopefully, once we have re-acquainted ourselves with one another, we will be able to remove those.’

‘Oh,’ I said with a pout, ‘and here I was thinking you’d worked out my kink. How disappointing.’

Jonathan’s eyes widened, the lines around his mouth deepening. I was confident I heard a giggle beyond the watching window. It was clear he didn’t know how to handle me, which was exactly what I was going for.

‘Or do you offer all the witches you snatch illegally from the street the same jewellery?’

‘That is not what this is.’

‘No?’ I leaned forwards, feeling the tug of newly healed skin against the ropes. ‘What about a warrant for my blood? Isn’t that required, unless the Coven believe rules are beneath them?’ It was my turn to tilt my head, cocking it to the side like a confused pup.

‘I think you know exactly why we took your blood, Hector Briar. Likely the very reason you have kept yourself off our radarfor all these years, is it not? Speaking of which, perhaps we skip the small talk and get to themeatof this conversation.’

‘I’m veggie. Plus, small talk is my favourite,’ I bit back, knowing full well I didn’t want to get onto the topic of how I had stayed under their radar for all these years.

‘Your blood proves you are, in fact, a Briar.’

‘So that’s the only reason?’

Jonathan winced, knowing where this was leading.

‘And, as you clearly are aware, it is the key. Without the Grand High’s blood to open up The Witch Trials, there is no key to continuing the passing of control, thus the strengthening of a witch’s connection to our gifts. And since your mother was murdered, her body burned down to bone, our kind have needed your blood to begin the process for a long time. No witch born after your mother’s untimely passing has accessed a gift since. We are a…’

The very reason why Caym had concealed me for all these years. ‘Dying breed.’ I answered for him.

Jonathan winced at me, playing with a thin strand of hair like a little girl, twirling it around his finger. ‘That we are. But with you, that changes.’

‘So now that you have my blood, I’m free to leave?’ I asked.

It was Jonathan’s turn to smile like he’d won. It was for me and me alone, his back perfectly aimed to the window behind him. ‘Not exactly, Hector. Unless you wish to tell me where exactly you will be going to. Or should I say, to whom?’

This fucking man used my name more than a lover did.

‘I don’t see how that’s important.’

‘Oh,’ Jonathan leaned close, the stench of coffee rolling off his dirty tongue. ‘I think we both know exactly why I’m asking, Hector.’

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