Page 74 of Magic and Matrimony

“If you will all please drink.”

We all eye each other, but ultimately, Lucida doesn’t want to kill us. Well, maybe not all of us. Piper’s first to toss back the potion and I quickly follow suit. It’s oddly cool, making my mouth feel like I’ve sucked on a mentholated cough drop.

Once everyone finishes their drinks, Lucida gathers up the glasses and sets them off to the side. “For the first part oftonight’s challenge, the coven may ask questions of you. Anyone can have a turn, and no question is off limits.”

I watch as Stellan raises his eyebrows from the crowd and I roll my eyes. Of course he’s thinking about what embarrassing shit he can ask people. I’m sure he’s not the only one. I shake my head. It doesn’t matter anyway. It’s not like we have to answer, and I can’t imagine Tucker will spew anything but lies. Piper hums under her breath and I turn to look at her. There’s a bit of a smile on her face, which is the first I’ve seen in the last day.

“What?” I murmur under my breath.

“Do you know what that potion was?” She smiles at me. For a minute, it’s as though everything is back to normal. My breath catches in my throat, and I forget what we’re talking about.

“Potion?” Oh, the one Lucida gave us. “No. I don’t.”

“This could be interesting.”

“Please line up if you'd like to ask a question.” Lucida points to a microphone that’s been set up at the end of an aisle. People rush out of their seats to line up. This is going to take all night.

Our coven is large. Mystic Hollows is a town that’s supposed to be a haven for witches. We’ve strayed far from that path over the years, but maybe Lucida will steer us back in the right direction.

I don’t recognize the first person who steps up to the mic. “Why do you want to be a part of the coven council? I’d like to hear from each of you.”

Yeah, we’re going to be here all night.

“I never thought I did,” I answer, frowning at the truth to my words. “The night the spell selected me, I really thought,well, fuck.” The crowd titters with laughter. “But after the first challenge, I realized something. We deserve better. We deserve leaders in this coven who aren’t just looking out for themselves. We’ve been lied to, we’ve been misled, and we’ve been used. My very existence is due to the fact that my parents wanted to passalong their curses.” The crowd gasps and murmurs of whispered conversations break out. My gaze strays down to my mother, who’s staring straight ahead. “I want to put an end to that.”

A truth potion. That’s what was in the glass. Crone’s titties.

Piper goes next, her voice starting soft but gaining strength with each word. “I didn’t think I was worthy of representing this coven. I’m still not sure I am, but I’ve been helpless, I’ve been subject to the heartless whims of another person, and I want to make sure that never happens to anyone else. I vow to protect the witches of this coven, even if it pisses off powerful people.”

One by one we go down the row, each of us answering the question. I don’t know if I’m surprised or disappointed by my mother’s answer of “Because it’s the duty of the founding families to guide our coven.”

When it reaches Tucker, he sneers, spitting words out through clenched teeth. “I deserve it.”

I have a feeling there’s more to his thoughts, but he manages to cut himself off from saying anything else.

Francesca is last, sitting slightly away from the rest of us.

“Power,” she says simply. The crowd shifts restlessly in their seats. We’re seeing the true nature of the people up on this stage.

Some in line drop off, as though their question has been answered. Others get up from their seats and join the long line. We’re asked question after question. How do we plan to unite our two former covens into one? Can we split the covens back up? What do we see as the biggest threat to the coven?

Josephine steps up to the microphone, her jaw determined as she glares at her mother. “This question is for Francesca Delvaux.”

Francesca Delvaux has done a lot of horrible things over the years. She’s a greedy and selfish woman who used and abused her daughter for years before Josephine was able to break free.

“What makes you think the coven should allow you back on the council? Instead of punishing you for the harm you’ve done to the witches of Mystic Hollows.”

Francesca glowers at her daughter, her nostrils flaring as she sits up straight. “The Delvauxs are one of the founding families of Mystic Hollows. I don’t need to prove my right to be here to anyone. You’re all low leveled witches. You wouldn’t know what to do with real power if it slapped you in the face. So I don’t care if these insignificant witches don’t believe I should be a part of this council again. It’s owed to me. And as for my punishment, I’m simply taking the power that is my due. It’s not my fault there are so many pathetic beings in this town who beg to be walked all over. If you don’t pull yourself up and take power for yourself, then you deserve to be used as a steppingstone.” Francesca’s chin tips up as she sneers down at the crowd. She doesn’t regret one single word. Amazing.

Chatter breaks out in the theater. Francesca doesn’t look chastised. She looks pissed. Ice forms on the ground near her feet, her magic leaking out of her.

Josephine smiles at her mother. “Thank you for your honest answer.” She spins, even getting a hair flip as she walks back to her seat where Ava gives her a hug.

Piper stares at Josephine, a contemplative look on her face. She stands abruptly, her chair screeching across the floor behind her.

“Where are you going?” I ask Piper, but she heads off the stage with a determined glint in her eye and gets in line to ask a question. People move out of the way, allowing Piper to the front of the line.

“This question is for Tucker Beaumont.” Piper’s voice echoes through the theater. Soft but haunting as she and her uncle stare each other down.

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