Page 86 of Curses and Cauldrons

“What?” my mother shouts. “This is your fault. You let them take the grimoire out of here.”

“She’s your daughter,” Selene fires back. “Perhaps a little personal responsibility is in order.”

Francesca reaches out to grab Penelope’s arm, but she must remember that she can’t touch without pain because she snatches her hand back.

“Fine. Get out of my sight,” my mother snaps.

“There’s nothing I’d like more.” I nod to Selene. With Penelope’s hand secured in mine, I give the rest of my family my back. Just before we reach the steps my mother calls out, never one to let an opportunity pass her by. “You know, now that your curses are broken, he’ll drop you in a minute. Then you’ll be alone and shamed by your coven for lowering yourself to be with a dark witch.”

I don’t bother looking back at her. Lifting the hand with the twin vines wrapped around my ring finger, I flip her the bird.

I walk out of the coven house holding Pen’s hand on one side and Roman’s on the other. I take a deep breath, and when I exhale, everything feels lighter.

45

JOSEPHINE

“Have you ever heard of both covens having a meeting together before?” I ask Roman.

Penelope and the rest of our friends hike down a packed snowy path behind us. Both the Tenebris and Lumen covens received notification that we are to meet in neutral territory in the Grimwood for the winter solstice. No other information was given. We considered not going, but curiosity got the better of us.

It’s been nearly a month since the incident at the Lumen coven house. Penelope has moved into my apartment. Neither of our parents have reached out to talk to her or even see if she’s okay. The only one of our family members that has gotten in touch is Camille. She sent a series of awful rants about how I’ve fucked her and our parents over. If someone can scream over text messages, it’s Camille. The continued lack of responsibility for the consequences of her own actions is astounding. I wish I could say it’s surprising, but it’s really not. Maybe someday they’ll all figure their shit out.

I’ve left the messages on read.

Piper cried for a solid week after everything went down. She wouldn't stop apologizing for taking us to the coven house. When pressed for a reason why, she refused to answer. I have some suspicions that it wasn’t exactly her choice, but whenever I’ve brought it up, her face turns red and all she can do is shake her head.

My place isn’t the ideal living situation since the spare bedroom is so small. Penelope doesn’t complain, although I see how sad she is when she doesn’t think I’m looking. Fuck my parents for doing this to her. I’ve made my peace with their shitty behavior, but it hurts my heart to see Pen struggling.

Roman has been staying at my place almost every night. Penelope is too young to be left alone, despite how often she tells me she is, in fact, old enough. For his part, Roman has been incredible. When I mentioned how bad I felt that he had to stay at my place every night, he cupped my face, pressed a kiss to my mouth, and responded with, “Bram’s living in my house right now anyway. It was nothing more than a place to hang my clothes. Honestly, it doesn’t matter where we are. As long as you’re here with me, then I’m home.”

I screwed his brains out that night.

And secretly, I think he doesn’t want to go back there. Anastasia Lexington is a fucking predator. Roman may have branded her, but I believe in my soul that the universe is not done punishing her. Maybe it makes me a bad person, but I’ve pleaded with the Triad to make sure she never hurts anyone ever again, even if it means ending her.

Golden beams from the setting sun are fractured by the bare trees. The wind has settled and although the temperature is below freezing, I’m pleasantly warm in my winter gear. Instead of congregating in our normal spot in the Grimwood, we’ve been directed to a new location. There’s no question that we’re on theright path because a steady trickle of witches is leading the way. There are more than a few side eyes and questioning glances directed our way. We are members of the two covens casually socializing. The nerve!

Bram and Ava have been bickering behind me the entire hike.

“Was that your stomach?” Bram sounds exasperated.

“I’m sorry, is my hunger annoying you? I didn’t have time to eat lunch today, and I got off work…oh…literally two seconds before we left to come here.”

“Is that why you’re wearing someone else's clothing?”

I look over my shoulder and spot Ava rolling her eyes. She’s wearing dress pants that are bunched up in her snow boots and an oversized plaid coat that belongs to Stellan. “I forgot my coat at my desk. Are you always this grumpy?”

“Are you always this noisy?”

“Apologies, I didn’t realize we were on a silent hike.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re like one of those yappy little dogs?”

“I love dogs,” Ava replies, as if Bram has given her a compliment instead of insulting her. Bram mumbles under his breath.

“Can you both shut up? You’re giving me a headache.” Stellan tosses the hood up on Ava’s coat, covering her eyes. Both she and Bram turn and glare at him. He signs something at Odie, and the two of them grin at each other. I’ve slowly been learning sign language, but Stellan has picked it up with incredible speed.

We reach the clearing just before sunset. The glen is similar to where we typically gather for our new moon ceremony. When I checked it on the map, it was smack dab in the middle of the boundaries that separated the covens’ territories for years. There’s an altar in the center of the clearing, and I recognize it. At least part of it. It’s the altar that Selene has used for as long asI can remember, only it’s been joined with a second piece. They fit as though they were always meant to be together.

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